TCU vs. Oklahoma: Preview, Prediction, and Game Odds
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the matchup between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Oklahoma Sooners.
GAME INFO
Friday, November 24; 11:00 a.m. CT; Oklahoma Memorial Stadium; Norman, Oklahoma
TV: FOX
Radio: Sooner Sports Radio (Toby Rowland, Teddy Lehman, Gabe Ikard); Horned Frogs Sports Network (Brian Estridge, Landry Burdine, Chris Blake)
Records: Oklahoma (9-2, 6-2); TCU (5-6, 3-5)
Last Week: Oklahoma 31, BYU 24; TCU 42, Baylor 17
Rankings: Oklahoma No. 13 (AP); TCU not ranked
Series History: Oklahoma leads series, 17-6-0
Last Meeting: TCU 55, Oklahoma 24
Line: Oklahoma (-10.5)
Fun Fact: TCU’s 55-24 victory over Oklahoma in 2022 was the Horned Frogs’ largest margin of victory over OU in series history, and was the second-largest margin of victory in the entire series, trailing on Oklahoma’s 35-3 win in 1993.
KEY PLAYERS
TCU Horned Frogs
QB Josh Hoover
Since stepping in for the injured Chandler Morris, freshman quarterback Josh Hoover has grown in confidence and effectiveness, surpassing 300 yards in each of the last three games and over 400 yards passing in each of the last two. Against Baylor, Hoover completed 24 of 29 attempts (82.8%) for 412 yards and two touchdowns, as TCU demolished the Bears, 42-17.
LB Jamoi Hodge
In 2022, TCU LB Jamoi Hodge was responsible for knocking Dillon Gabriel out of the game in Fort Worth and was ejected for targeting Gabriel as the QB went down for a slide. This season, Hodge returns, and is the Horned Frogs’ second-leading tackler behind Nambi Obiazor. With Oklahoma finding recent success in the run game, Hodge will be a key part of the Horned Frogs’ defensive game plan.
Oklahoma Sooners
QB Jackson Arnold
Last week against BYU, freshman quarterback Jackson Arnold was thrust into action as Dillon Gabriel went down with a head injury and was unable to return after halftime. While he didn’t light up the scoreboard, Arnold flashed his ability as a runner and made some big-time throws en route to leading the Sooners to a big win. If Gabriel is unable to make a six-day turnaround, Arnold will be forced to make the first start of his career. Can the five-star freshman live up to the billing and move OU to 10-2 on the year?
S Billy Bowman
Oklahoma safety Billy Bowman is tied for second nationally with five interceptions on the year and leads the country with two of those interceptions being returned for touchdowns. Last week against BYU, Bowman took an interception back 100 yards for a 14-point swing in the second half. It was a critical play for the Sooners on the road, and without it, OU might be coming off a loss. With TCU’s high-flying offense finding its stride late in the year, Bowman will have a big-time challenge ahead of him on Friday.
KEY STORYLINES
TCU Horned Frogs
Can TCU get to bowl eligibility? Thanks to a disappointing stretch in conference play, the Horned Frogs enter the final week of the season at 5-6 and in need of one more win to get to bowl eligibility. To get to 6-6, TCU will have to go to Norman, Oklahoma, and pick up a win, something it hasn’t done since 2005. OU might be vulnerable with its starting quarterback down, but after what TCU did to the Sooners in 2022, I don’t think its feasible that Oklahoma will overlook them. It’s going to take one of their best efforts of the year to topple the Sooners in Norman, and without that, this will be their final game of the season.
Oklahoma Sooners
Can Oklahoma exact revenge without Dillon Gabriel? As ironic as it might seem, Gabriel might be forced to miss time against TCU for a second consecutive year, and this time around Gabriel could miss the entire game. If Arnold is forced to go for the Sooners, will the offense remain potent enough to pull away from TCU? The future is certainly bright under Arnold, but being put in this kind of position early in his career is tough. I tend to say that he’s ready for the moment after how he performed in a hostile environment at BYU, but only time will tell.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma 41, TCU 20
Early indications are that Dillon Gabriel could be ready to go against TCU, but it’s still way too early to know if the Sooners will have their starting quarterback ready for this one. However, I don’t think its going to matter who steps out on the field at quarterback for OU, as this team has revenge on the mind. Oklahoma has faced two teams this season whom they suffered losses to in 2022: Texas and West Virginia. Objectively, those are the two best games that OU has played all season, and arguably provide their two most impressive wins to this point. With TCU being the third such team, and coming to Norman with Oklahoma still in Big 12 contention, I think the Horned Frogs are walking into a hornet’s nest. Jackson Arnold gets the start and lights up the TCU defense for four total touchdowns as OU handles business against the upset-minded Horned Frogs.
