By the Numbers: No. 16 Oklahoma Sooners at TCU Horned Frogs
The Oklahoma Sooners (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) head to Fort Worth to take on the TCU Horned Frogs (3-0, 0-0) in a critical Big 12 matchup this Saturday at 11 a.m. CT
The Sooners look to rebound from a frustrating loss at the hands of Adrian Martinez and the Kansas State Wildcats. The hope is a renewed focus on the defensive details will help the Sooners bounce back against a team they’ve had little trouble with over the last decade.
The Sooners hold a 17-5 all-time record against TCU, according to Winsipedia.
Oklahoma has won eight straight against the Horned Frogs and are 10-1 since TCU joined the Big 12. The Sooners have won five of their last six games by at 18 points or more.
None of that really matters though in a new season.
This game takes on a different tenor than previous matchups. Sonny Dykes and Brent Venables bring a focus on the opposite side of the ball than their predecessors.
Both teams are still trying to figure out how good they actually are. The Horned Frogs’ biggest test thus far was their road win over SMU. Oklahoma failed to pass its biggest test to date in its loss to Kansas State.
As we get ready for Saturday, let’s take a look at the Week 5 showdown with this week’s By the Numbers.
Total Offense
Sept. 24, 2022; Norman; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) throws during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma: 513 yards per game (7th)
TCU: 509.5 yards per game (9th)
Edge: PUSH
Passing Offense
Oct. 16, 2021; Norman, Oklahoma; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Max Duggan (15) throws during the first quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma: 281.8 yards per game (24th)
OU Completion %: 67.5% (35th)
TCU: 294.7 yards per game (27th)
TCU Completion %: 75.9% (1st)
Edge: TCU
Rushing Offense
Oklahoma running back Eric Gray (0) runs the ball against Nebraska during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Nebraska. Ian Maule/Tulsa World via AP
Oklahoma: 231.2 yards per game (12th)
OU Yards Per Carry: 5.71 (11th)
TCU: 215.3 yards per game (21st)
TCU Yards Per Carry: 6.33 (4th)
Edge: PUSH
Scoring Offense
Oct. 24, 2020; Fort Worth, Texas; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) runs with the ball as Oklahoma Sooners cornerback Jaden Davis (4) defends during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma: 40.2 (23rd)
TCU: 46.3 points per game (t-9th)
Edge: TCU
PFF Offense Ranks
Sept. 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) runs for a touchdown during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma: 6th
TCU: 15th
Edge: Oklahoma
Total Defense
Sept. 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska; Oklahoma Sooners defensive lineman Jalen Redmond (31) sacks Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Casey Thompson (11) during the first half at Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma: 361.8 yards per game (62nd)
TCU: 373 yards per game (68th)
Edge: PUSH
Pass Defense
Sept. 3, 2022; Norman; Oklahoma Sooners defensive back Billy Bowman (5) in action during the game against the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma: 204.5 yards per game (47th)
TCU: 272.3 yards per game (107th)
Edge: Oklahoma
Run Defense
Oklahoma’s Jeffery Johnson (77) celebrates during a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the UTEP Miners at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022. Oklahoma won 45-13. Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma: 157.5 yards per game (86th)
OU Yards Per Carry allowed: 3.56
TCU: 100.7 yards per game (30th)
TCU Yards Per Carry allowed: 3.21
Edge: TCU
Scoring Defense
Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman (5) celebrates a fumble with Jordan Kelley (88), Reggie Grimes (14) and Ethan Downs (40) in the third quarter during the college football game between the University of Oklahoma and the Kent State Golden Flashes at the Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla., Saturday, Sept., 10, 2022. Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma: 17.75 ppg (28th)
TCU: 21.33 ppg (51st)
Edge: Oklahoma
PFF Defense Rank
Sept. 10, 2022; Norman; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) tackles Kent State Golden Flashes running back Bryan Bradford (31) during the second quarter at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma: 54th
TCU: 59th
Edge: PUSH
Summary
Sept. 17, 2022; Lincoln, Nebraska; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) passes against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
On paper, this looks like a fairly even matchup. The level of competition would give Oklahoma the edge with two Power Five games played to TCU’s one. That game for TCU was against Colorado, which might be one of the worst teams in the country.
If there’s a considerable matchup advantage to be had, it’s when Oklahoma drops back to pass.
The Sooners have been really good through the air and the TCU Horned Frogs have not defended the pass particularly well.
In TCU’s win a week ago, SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai threw for 372 yards and two touchdowns while only completing 55% of his passes. Though Mordecai only completed 50% of his passes beyond 10 yards, that’s where SMU did most of its damage in the passing game. Mordecai was 14 of 28 for 304 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.
Dillon Gabriel is a more accurate passer and has a better deep ball than Mordecai, so the Oklahoma Sooners should be able to win in the deep passing game this week against the TCU Horned Frogs.
Look for more fireworks from Gabriel, Marvin Mims, Theo Wease and Jalil Farooq.
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