The Frogs had so much fun and success in Lubbock, Texas, last weekend, they decided to go back out on the road this weekend.

To Oklahoma. Number 4 Oklahoma. And their 14-game win streak.

Max Duggan is the first TCU quarterback since 1950 (Gil Bartosh) to lead the team in rushing. Courtesy of TCU Athletics | Photo by Gregg Ellman

It’s a tall order, for sure, but not impossible. OU’s defense has issues and the distraction of a quarterback controversy even got the best of Lincoln Riley this week. Speaking of QBs, I’m not surprised by what has happened at OU. Coach Riley is a brilliant offensive mind and it will take a special individual with extreme athletic AND mental powers to run OU’s offense. Tons of sets, complicated reads and match-up manipulation that takes brain power. The head coach moves quickly and everybody else in Crimson n’ Cream is trying to keep up. He probably needs two QBs to run that offense. You’ll see both Saturday.

The Frogs defense has been held together the last several weeks with bailing wire and Bondo. This may be Coach P’s and the defensive staff’s best-ever coaching job when you compare who played and won last week in Lubbock compared to what the Frogs finished spring ball with on the 2-deep. Many pieces are missing. Still, the defense kept the Frogs in the Texas game and made big plays when they needed to against Tech. They’ll have to stop OU’s Kennedy Brooks, who has averaged 159 rushing yards in two previous appearances against TCU. You’ll recall he took last year off during the pandemic, but he’s back at full power. Ask Texas.

It’ll be a successful night if the Frogs can hold OU to fewer than 250 rushing yards.

Leaving Lubbock last Saturday night, it was apparent that the injury bug had crossed over from the defensive side of the locker room to the offense. Max Duggan and Zach Evans headline the injury list, but the Frogs are trying to get offensive linemen well, and fingers are crossed that wideout Quentin Johnston will be running through the OU secondary tomorrow night.  The continued development of the ground game is crucial and TCU must make OU respect that element — a task made more difficult with OU’s moving defensive end #95 Isaiah Thomas to D-tackle during the Texas game last week. Thomas’ impact in the middle changed the game defensively for OU and Sooners defensive coordinator Alex Grinch looked like a genius.

Key for this one:

• Get off to a good start. Get to the end of the 1st quarter with a lead or tied.
• Grind on the ground. Keep testing OU and get the backs and receivers into space in the passing game. OU’s missed tackles have led to big plays.
• Contain OU’s offense. They’ll get points, but you have to slow them down and keep the big plays to a minimum. 250 or less on the ground.
• If Caleb Williams is QB, then bring the heat and confusion. The Frogs will have to take chances in certain situations.
• Be great in the kicking game. If you’re going to win on the road at OU, special teams have to contribute points.

We’re on the air on the Horned Frog Sports Network at 5:30 p.m. CT from where the wind comes sweeping down the plain.

Until then,

Kick ‘Em High!