Geoff’s Game Plan October 1 vs. Oklahoma

TCU is 3-1 after a 33-3 victory victory in Dallas last Friday against SMU. The Frogs were without some key pieces on offense and defense and had a nice showing and also grew some confidence in some younger players. This week, Oklahoma comes in to Fort Worth at 1-2 after a bye week. Oklahoma’s losses are to Houston and Ohio State, two really good football teams and have had an extra week to get healthy and prepare. The last four matches between the two teams has had an average margin of victory under four points, expect another close game on Saturday afternoon at Amon Carter. Here are the keys to victory for both teams on Saturday.

TCU

Get a Lead Early

This is my number one priority this week because TCU has scored a total of five offensive touchdowns in the four first halves so far this season. This team is more than capable of scoring points, but they have to start putting them up earlier in games. Early points do two things, they put pressure on the opponents defense and they make the opponents offense one-dimensional. If TCU can get an early two-possession lead, they are much more aggressive defensively and create more turnovers because of that. After four games, it looks as though Kenny Hill is establishing rhythm with his receivers too, another key to the offense. Kenny Hill is the key to the success of this team.

Stop the Run

Oklahoma has two extremely talented backs with Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon. Perine is still the number one back, but has only run for 149 yards through three games. Mixon has all the big play ability and none of the smarts. Mixon has run for 235 yards at a 8.4 yards per carry clip, but has only found the end zone once. Both are more than capable of taking over a game so the TCU linebackers will have their hands full all afternoon against the Sooners.

Pressure Baker Mayfield

The key to Baker Mayfield’s success has been his ability to keep plays alive with his feet. He has good mobility, he’s not going to beat you running all over you, but will escape pressure to allow hi receivers to get open. This year he does’t have that big play receiver like Sterling Shepard and he hasn’t been as effective. If the Frogs can get pressure on Mayfield and make him get happy feet, he will attempt throws he doesn’t have the arm strength for and TCU will need to capitalize on these mistakes.

Oklahoma

Play a Full 60 Minutes

Oklahoma has scored 30 points in the second half through three games this year and 17 of those came against Louisiana-Monroe. They have not played well in the second half and a big reason is their depth. They are not near as deep at the skill positions as they have been in past years. Arguably their best two players are both running backs and they have struggled to give them both the ball enough. They have not outscored any of their three previous opponents in the second half yet. TCU conversely has outscored it’s opponents 117-55 in the second half. The Sooners can’t continue to play like they have in second halves if they want to pick up win number two.

Be Effective with the Run

Oklahoma ran for 288 yards against Louisiana-Monroe, but has just 247 combined against Ohio State and Houston. They have to run the ball well to be effective on offense. They don’t have the big-play receivers they had in the past. Dede Westbrook is a good player, but only averages 9.1 yards per catch with a long reception of just 24 yards. When they have no running game they also eliminate one of their biggest weapons, Mark Andrews. Andrews, a tight end, makes a living blocking on early downs for Perine and Mixon and then picking up third and short on play action. When the running game is lacking, teams don’t worry about Andrews.

Limit Big Plays

The Sooners have struggled mightily against teams that spread the ball around. They are very thin at cornerback and have been exposed for three weeks. Earlier in the week, defensive coordinator Mark Stoops said they still hadn’t named the starting corners for the TCU game. Two weeks to prepare and you still don’t know who will start. This is not a good sign going to Fort Worth against a TCU team led by Kenny Hill that is starting to click with his receivers. The Sooners have struggled with mobile quarterbacks keeping plays alive with their legs and Hill poses the same challenge this week.

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Stay tuned for next week’s Game Plan as the Frogs travel to Lawrence, Kansas to take on the Jayhawks at 11am on October 8th.