TCU Horned Frogs Vs. Oklahoma State Cowboys: Gamethread and Three Things To Watch For

If the game against Texas Tech in Lubbock was the first real test of the season for the Horned Frogs, this one will be the biggest to date.  TCU has not beaten Oklahoma State in Stillwater since they have been a part of the Big XII, despite having two straight attempts to do so in their first three years in the conference.  A win today will be the first step in proving to the CFP committee that TCU is one of the top four team in the nation.  With a defense that has shown real maturity over the last three games, they have an excellent opportunity to do so.  Follow along with us in the comments below and here are three things to watch for in today's matchup:

Ogbah and Co. against TCU's offensive line

TCU's left tackle, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, left the West Virginia with an ankle injury.  He is questionable to play in today's game and if he doesn't then Joseph Noteboom will most likely get the start.  Whether we have a less than 100% Vaitai or a backup in the game, they are going to have their hands more than full with Emmanuel Ogbah and Jimmy Bean.  Ogbah top defensive ends in the nation sitting in the top five in sacks and top ten in tackles for loss.  He also has 19 quarterback hurries which means that he is basically always in the backfield.  Expect a lot of highlight reel scrambles from Boykin today. (editor's note: Jimmy Bean has been ruled out for the season due to a torn ACL)

Walsh and Rudolph together make one dangerous quarterback

Mason Rudolph and J.W. Walsh have both seen time at QB this year for the Cowboys.  Rudolph ranks fourth in the Big XII with 2,470 yards passing on the year and Walsh was the hero of the Cowboys' last game at Texas Tech with a 64 yard touchdown and 167 yards passing for two touchdowns to launch a fourth quarter comeback in Lubbock.  Usually you only have to deal with one at a time, which makes things a little bit easier.  There have been rumblings, however, of a package that features both quarterbacks in the backfield at the same time.  That's something to keep an eye on and it will be interesting to see how Patterson responds.  Maybe Boykin plays some safety?

Boykin and Doctson. Period.

There's really nothing else to say.  Boykin and Doctson are the combo to watch every Saturday when TCU takes the field.  I don't know what they are going to do today, but I know that it is going to be must-see television.  Our defense appears to be turning the corner and with playmakers like Travin Howard, Derrick Kindred, Aaron Green, Kolby Listenbee and Kavonte Turpin TCU produces plenty of on-field entertainment.  But despite the potential of all of those players, on the road, in Stillwater, against a top 15 team, I am betting that the outcome of the game today has the most to do with the performance of these two players.

Let's get it on.