Oklahoma football: Sizing up Oklahoma vs. TCU on statistical basis
By Chip Rouse
On a statistical basis, 13th-ranked Oklahoma football is three or four wins better than TCU, the Sooners’ opponent on the final weekend of the regular season.
That differential is clearly reflected in the current conference standings. Oklahoma is 6-2 (8-2 overall) and tied for second. TCU, meanwhile, is 3-5 in conference play and tied for ninth. In other statistical categories, however, the difference is not as great as it might seem.
Oklahoma and TCU will meet at 11 a.m. on Black Friday at OU.
The Sooners are 17-6 in the all-time series with TCU, and importantly have won the last six times the Horned Frogs have played in Norman.
Both teams have a lot to play for in Friday’s regular-season finale. Oklahoma can reach 10 wins for the 42nd time in its illustrious history. But more important, a win keeps the Sooners’ hopes alive to reach the Big 12 Championship game in what is their season in the conference. TCU needs one more win to become bowl eligible for what would be the 37th time in its history.
Oklahoma vs. TCU statistical comparison
(National ranking is in parentheses)
OU TCU
Scoring offense: 40.8 (4) 30.1 (46)
Scoring defense: 20.2 (29) 24.1 (51)
Total offense: 492.9 (7) 461.8 (14)
Total defense: 378.0 (64) 390.3 (86)
Rushing offense: 178.2 (38) 152.5 (74)
Rushing defense: 145.1 (57) 149.9 (65)
Passing offense: 314.7 (7) 309.3 (9)
Passing defense: 232.9 (77) 240.4 (96)
3rd-down conversion offense: 48.6% (11) 46.9% (17)
3rd-down conversion defense: 29.3% (10) 38.0% (56)
Red zone conversion offense: 87.5% (43) 68.9% (127)
Red zone conversion defense: 75.8% (22) 83.8% (73)
Turnover margin: +12 (3) -8 (120)