With injury issues at QB, the play of RB Joseph Randle is even more important for Oklahoma State's offense. (US Presswire) |
TCU (5-2, 2-2 Big 12) at Oklahoma State (4-2, 2-1 Big 12)
Kickoff: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Fox Sports Network)
Spread: Oklahoma State by 7.5
Watchability: If this game is anything like TCU's last outing -- last week's 56-53 triple overtime loss to Texas Tech -- it will be plenty entertaining. Oklahoma State still has pnly one conference loss and is perhaps the least talked-about team of those with a legitimate shot to compete for the Big 12 title.
Shining Stars: TCU -- DE Devonte Fields. The freshman has been tough for everyone to deal with this season. He had at least a half-sack in all of TCU's games. If Clint Chelf -- who started the season as the third-team QB at Oklahoma State -- gets the start, Fields could make life very difficult for him. Oklahoma State -- RB Joseph Randle. The Cowboys' offense always includes a healthy dose of Randle, who has averaged 6.0 yards per carry this season and has eight touchdowns. But with Chelf possibly getting the call at QB thanks to injuries to J.W. Walsh and Wes Lunt, the running game is that much more important for Oklahoma State this week. TCU does boast the nation's No. 7 run defense (allowing only 92 yards per game), however.
Who could steal the show: TCU -- WR Skye Dawson. Often the forgotten member of the TCU receiving corps, Dawson had an explosive performance in the loss to Texas Tech, finishing with 154 receiving yards and a touchdown. His 10 catches in that game showed he has built a rapport with QB Trevone Boykin. Oklahoma State -- WR Josh Stewart. When a backup quarterback plays, having solid receivers can help keep things rolling along. Stewart should help in that regard, as he has been extraordinarily consistent this season. He has more than 75 receiving yards in each of the team's last five games, and caught a season-high 13 passes in last week's win over Iowa State.
You going? Ranking the road trip: Folks in Stillwater aren't used to seeing Oklahoma State lose at Boone Pickens Stadium anymore. The Cowboys' narrow loss to Texas in the team's last home game broke an eight-game home winning streak. But TCU has won 14 straight conference road games. That only adds to the intrigue.
Magic number for TCU: 16. The youth movement in Fort Worth continues, as the Horned Frogs have played 16 true freshmen -- tied with Texas for the most in the nation. TCU has played more true freshmen than it has scholarship seniors (11).
Magic number for Oklahoma State: 32. The Cowboys' offense is the picture of consistency, as Oklahoma State has scored 20 or more points in 32 consecutive games, the second-longest such streak in the country. The longest? TCU, with a string of 33 games topping the 20-point threshold.
The game comes down to: Can the Cowboys continue to roll on offense despite injury issues at quarterback? Oklahoma State has the gaudy numbers -- the nation's seventh-best passing offense and the No. 4 scoring offense. But if Chelf must play, can he do the job against one of the Big 12's better defenses?
Prediction: Oklahoma State 27, TCU 24
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12 on Twitter. You can also follow C.J. (@cjmoore4) and Patrick (@patricksouthern).