No. 9 Oklahoma goes to TCU in Big 12 title game rematch
Sep 29, 2018; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Kyler Murray (1) and head coach Lincoln Riley during the game against the Baylor Bears at Gaylord Family - Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
No. 9 Oklahoma (5-1, 2-1 Big 12) at TCU (3-3, 1-2), noon ET (ABC)
Line: Oklahoma by 8.
Series record: Oklahoma leads 13-5.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Oklahoma, which lost to Big 12-leading Texas in its last game Oct. 6, moved back into the top 10 of the AP poll after plenty of upsets during its open date. This is a rematch of last year's Big 12 championship game. The Sooners came back from a three-touchdown deficit in the fourth quarter against Texas before losing on a field goal in the closing seconds, and fired defensive coordinator Mike Stoops days after the 48-45 loss. TCU is struggling to score and will try to avoid four losses in its first seven games for only the second time since 1999. The Horned Frogs have 17 points or less in three consecutive games for the first time since 2006.
KEY MATCHUP
The head coaches who focus and excel on different sides of the ball. Lincoln Riley was Oklahoma's offensive coordinator before becoming head coach last season. Gary Patterson has led TCU's defense for more than two decades, first as defensive coordinator and the past 18 seasons as head coach.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oklahoma: QB Kyler Murray was tabbed this week as The Associated Press midseason Big 12 player of the year. Murray is the league's most efficient passer with 21 touchdowns and only three interceptions, while completing 96 of 135 passes (71 percent) for 1,773 yards.
TCU: DE Ben Banogu, the preseason Big 12 defensive player of the year, had two sacks and a TCU career-high eight tackles in his last game.
FACTS & FIGURES
Oklahoma has won 17 consecutive true road games since a 37-33 loss at TCU four years ago. ... The Horned Frogs have already matched their loss total from last season, when two of their three losses were against Oklahoma. ... Since TCU gave up 41 points in consecutive games to start the 2016 season, Oklahoma has the three highest-scoring games against the Horned Frogs — 52, 41 and 38 points.
