Oklahoma football: Big 12 power rankings
![NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: Head Coach Lincoln Riley speaks with quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during warmups before the game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the South Dakota Coyotes 70-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images) NORMAN, OK - SEPTEMBER 07: Head Coach Lincoln Riley speaks with quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners during warmups before the game against the South Dakota Coyotes at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on September 7, 2019 in Norman, Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Sooners defeated the South Dakota Coyotes 70-14. (Photo by Brett Deering/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/cbd0fba3cd19c8afd7bc60bf89cab626a75005c34baa436318ed15e554daffd8.jpg)
TCU (2-0)
Last week: Beat Purdue 34-13
This week: vs. SMU
TCU was down a bit this year, but one of the Big 12’s most consistent winners over the last decade could be prepping for a dark horse run in the conference in 2019. Gary Patterson’s defense looks salty so far this year, giving up right at 10 points per game in two contests, including one of the more dominant performances of any conference team this year – a 34-13 victory over Purdue.
True freshman quarterback Max Duggan may be ready to assume the starting job sooner rather than later after playing most of the game against the Boilermakers. Duggan was a four-star prospect out of high school who got a lot of buzz in the offseason.
He came in early against Purdue after grad transfer Alex Delton proved ineffective. Though there were some rough spots, he was able to make some big throws and show why he is likely the future at TCU.
If the past has shown us anything, it’s that when the Horned Frogs have a powerful offense to play alongside their always-tough defense, they become a national contender. This team might be showing signs of that early in the year.
TCU will get an interesting test this week when SMU travels across the metroplex for a DFW battle. The Mustangs are led by former Texas quarterback Shane Buschelle. They have been prolific on offense so far this year, averaging well over 40 points per game. Do the Horned Frogs have enough ammo to compete in a shootout?