4. TCU quarterback Chandler Morris was held to 358 passing yards fewer than the week prior.
Morris may be the future star quarterback in Fort Worth, but he struggled in every way possible on Saturday night in Stillwater. In his only his second start, he completed 11-of-20 passes for 103 yards and zero touchdowns.
This was a stark contrast to the previous week, when the Horned Frogs upset then-No. 12 Baylor beyond Morris’ 461 passing yards and pair of touchdowns. He had also led the team in rushing with 70 yards. The freshman will undoubtedly improve, but facing a Cowboys defense on the road was too much after leading his team to an emotional victory.
3. OSU’s last three opponents (TCU, WVU, and KU) have converted six of 40 third-down plays combined.
Cowboys still rank second in the nation by only allowing a 24.6% third-down conversion rate for the season. Only Wisconsin continues to rank slightly higher.
It was evident immediately that the Cowboys’ pass rush and penetration into the TCU backfield was going to hamper the Frogs on all plays and especially on attempted third-down conversions. OSU finished the evening with seven sacks total.
2. TCU hadn’t given up eight rushing TDs since 1974.
The only other time in TCU school history that it has given up eight rushing touchdowns was against an Earl Campbell-led Texas squad 47 years ago. Campbell had 64 rushing yards but did not contribute a score. He would go on to win the Heisman Trophy three seasons later.
1. OSU has outgained its previous three opponents by an average of 308.7 yards per game.
In the decisive wins against Kansas, West Virginia, and TCU, the Cowboys have outscored those three opponents by an average of nearly 40 points each. These other teams have shown flashes of brilliance (if at least competitiveness) — such as Kansas upsetting Texas on the road in Week 11 and TCU knocking off Baylor in Week 10 — but those moments have not come against OSU.