By Shehan Jeyarajah
Sports Writer
TCU (1-2) vs. SMU (1-2)
The Horned Frogs have been inconsistent on both sides of the ball, ranking outside the top 50 in passing yards, rushing yards, points for, points against and total defense.
Luckily for TCU, this may be the game to turn things around. SMU is coming off a big loss to No. 10 Texas A&M in College Station. SMU barely sneaked by in a win against FCS opponent Montana State.
This has been an off year so far for TCU, but that shouldn’t show against an SMU team that struggles to stop anyone this season.
No. 14 Oklahoma (3-0) vs. No. 22 Notre Dame (3-1)
Oklahoma comes into the game on a three-game winning streak. The Sooners had a bye week to prepare for this game last week. The offense has been inconsistent at times, but the defense is top five in the country in points against. Senior running back Brennan Clay leads a rushing attack that averages 271.7 yards a game.
This Notre Dame team is not the same caliber as the BCS caliber squad from last season. The offense is scoring 26.5 points per game, and puts up 113.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks 100th in college football.
Notre Dame’s defense has been good, but it has not been great this season. Oklahoma is top 20 in the country at rushing defense, so Notre Dame will struggle to create a balanced offensive against the Sooners. Barring a Herculean effort from Notre Dame senior quarterback Tommy Rees, the Sooners should pull this game out.
No. 11 Oklahoma State (3-0) at West Virginia (2-2)
The Cowboys rank 19th overall in passing yards with 311.7 a game. They also rank 11th in the country in points per game at 45.3. The defense has been effective so far, holding opponents to 13.7 points per game. Oklahoma State right now looks like the team to beat in the Big 12.
West Virginia comes into this game off of a blowout at the hands of Maryland, 37-0. The Mountaineers rank 110th in the country at scoring with 18.0 points per game. West Virginia is 31st in the country in total defense with 323.5 yards allowed per game.
West Virginia is the best defense Oklahoma State will have faced so far. At the end of the day though, the Mountaineer offense will find it difficult to compete with Oklahoma State.
