TCU: Horned Frogs vs. Oklahoma St. Preview

The TCU Horned Frogs will have their hands full in Stillwater on Saturday afternoon when they encounter a much improved Oklahoma State offense at Boone Pickens Stadium.

After coming off a bye week, the No. 5 TCU Horned Frogs toppled the West Virginia Mountaineers 40-10 at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Week 9 of the 2015 college football season to remain perfect. The Horned Frogs improved to an 8-0 record.

Entering Week 10, the Horned Frogs head to Stillwater, Oklahoma on Saturday to compete with the No.12 and unbeaten Oklahoma State Cowboys (8-0) at Boone Pickens Stadium.

It’s going to be wild.

You have two undefeated Big 12 powerhouse teams going head-to-head. It’s definitely the kind of game fans want to see and it doesn’t get any better than this, especially in a hostile college football environment.

TCU demolished the Cowboys 42-9 in Fort Worth last season. However, Oklahoma State, who finished 7-6 in 2014 has an improved offense this year. They could certainly give the Horned Frogs some trouble.

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In 2014, the Cowboys barely earned bowl eligibility, but with a bowl game victory over the Washington Huskies, it was strong finish to end the regular season.

That gave Oklahoma State some energy and a new kind of hype coming into this season. Yes, TCU has an experienced defense, but with the Cowboys improved offense and home field advantage, they have a good opportunity to pull off the monumental upset.

Watch out for Oklahoma State sophomore quarterback Mason Rudolph.

Rudolph is going to make a significant impact for the Cowboys. Rudolph is extremely confident in his game and TCU is lucky they didn’t have put up with him a year ago.

TCU senior defensive end James McFarland, who was the Horned Frogs sack leader last year, is going to be another marquee player in this game.

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McFarland will have to play a key role and help put a lot of pressure on the Cowboys quarterback. If he has a big day, it could very well be a long afternoon for the Oklahoma State offense.

It’s going to be interesting to see how Rudolph runs the offense against a resisting and top notch Horned Frogs defense. The key for the TCU defense will be forcing Rudolph out of his comfort zone in the pocket and on the run.

You’re going to see a lot of action on both sides of the ball. TCU won’t have much of an issue putting up points, but neither will Oklahoma State. This game is simply going to depend on preparation and who makes the fewest mistakes.

Who wants it the most?

With both teams seeking a berth in the College football Playoff, this game could be one of the more important wins of the season. This is a huge contest for both Big 12 contenders. Again, it’s all about who wants it more.

The Cowboys are going to put up a fight, but if TCU senior quarterback Trevone Boykin can lead the Horned Frogs like he has all season long, head coach Gary Patterson’s football team could escape Boone Pickens Stadium with a late victory.

Boykin has already lived up to coach Patterson’s expectations, but now it’s a matter of whether or not he can keep his Heisman hopes alive.

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Prediction:

TCU 37, Oklahoma State 30