CRFF Roundtable - Here Come the Horny Toads

Well, it's finally here. The Big XII playoff starts on Saturday. Here's this week's staff roundtable looking at Game 1 in Stillwater.

1) What's the biggest match up?

2) Why is the two QB system working?

3) Prediction for this week

Nick Tyler

1. The biggest matchup is OSU's defense versus Boykin and TCU's offense. If the defense comes out and looks like they did last week OSU's in big trouble. If the d-line is able to somewhat contain Boykin and the secondary is able to put the WR core on lock down then the Pokes have a good shot at pulling the upset.

2. The two QB system is working because they are two different players. Walsh's ability to run the ball is vastly different than Rudolph's ability to throw it. The offense is able to adapt to the two player's strengths.

3. TCU-38 OSU-34

OkState Gents

1. I'll go on the flip side of that. I think if Rudolph is able to play a clean game and not force throws or throw picks, our defense will get enough stops to put us in a position to win the game.

2. I saw someone else say it but I kind of agree that Walsh is more of a running back that can throw. It's a thing of beauty watching them thrive together. Walsh = Santa. Rudolph the orange nosed reindeer guiding the sleigh.

3. OSU 45 TCU 42. Grogan GW FG

Robert Whetsell

1. Our offense vs their defense...TCU's offense will score, our defense will figure out how to slow them down some, but our offense can't stumble around while our defense is giving them chances.

2. Even though we do it in predictable situations, it's hard for a defense to switch gears one play to the next. If we ran it all the time, it wouldn't be as successful. Defensive preparation is focused on that, and they would find their comfort level in the game. Most of the preparation is focused on the passing game, and they spend most of the game dealing with the passing game. To change that focus and mentality from one play to the next is not easy. Oh, and JW is good at running his packages.

3. TCU's defense is better than Tech's, and Boykin kills us with his legs. 48-38 TCU

Kyle Cox

1. How OSU's secondary matches up with Doctson and TCU's other receivers. Hopefully, Lampkin and Peterson are close to 100%. If not, it could be a long afternoon. Richards has played well at times but at other times he still looks like a freshman. That was all good last year but I hoped he would take a bigger step forward this season with all the starting reps he got.

2. It works because it has to work. The lack of a running game without Walsh in is just sad. In a perfect world, with a better o-line, I don't think he would be needed as much. But it's not a perfect world. Aside from that, Walsh is very savvy in the zone read. That's not as easy as it looks. The look makes defensive coordinators have to split up scheming time so that is always going to help (you would think). I would like them to switch the two QB's roles a bit, and I mean just a little bit. Have Mason tuck a run a couple times just to keep them guessing. You might as well throw the kitchen sink at ‘em. This game is a big as they get.

3. I will say OSU 52-TCU 48 because if OSU is going to win they will have to put up some points. You're simply not going to keep them under 30.

Gallagher Martin

1. The biggest match up will be Josh Doctson vs Ashton Lampkin. Assuming Lampkin plays and is close to 100%, he has the speed and athleticism to hang with Doctson. Doctson has a good five inches on him, so I expect to see a lot of help over the top. If Lampkin and the rest of the secondary can prevent too many big plays, Oklahoma State should have no problem hanging with TCU.

2. The two QB system is working because both players know their role. It's nearly impossible to implement a two QB system with both quarterbacks alternating drives and sharing the majority of the snaps. Rudolph is the man that leads the offense down the field, and Walsh finishes the job. I assume it helps Rudolph to know that if he can march down the field and get inside the red zone, he has a physical running quarterback who hasn't thrown an interception all year that will get six more times than not.

3. Until Oklahoma State loses, I'm not picking against them. That means 12-0 until proven otherwise. 42-38 Pokes

Kyle Hoelting

1a. I've got two because I feel both need mentioning. Take your pick at which is more important. Our d-line vs their o-line. Ogbah and Bean (hopefully) obviously are monsters in their own right. But Tech's Mahomes isn't in the same league as Boykin in terms of mobility and even he proved to be a bit too elusive at times. Anyone that's seen Boykin play knows that he thrives on the run. Can our line contain him long enough to let Ogbah do what he does best?

1b. OSU secondary vs TCU wide receivers. The secondary has looked suspect several times this season (see: KSU, WVU, Tech games) Obviously Doctson is the headliner but can our DB's do enough to contain the entire WR corps?

2. The 2 QB system is working because of plays like the two Walsh had last week--at any point when Walsh is in, there's the possibility that he's going to break for 60 yards or drop 70 yard dimes over unsuspecting DB's. (Side note--where the hell were those throws 2 years ago?) Everyone knows the strengths of Rudolph and Walsh as individuals. Throw them both on the field? That's a headache to deal with. Add in the fact that they both seem to have bought into each other's success? Man, good luck with that, Frogs.

3. I put two polls on Twitter this week where I basically asked if OSU would lose close or win big. The results were somewhere in between. I think that's where I'm at. I think if this were a night game I'd feel much more confident in picking the Cardiac Cowboys. There's something about the sea of orange in BPS at night thats just daunting (Ask '11 OU or '13 Baylor.) What worries me most is the defense has struggled to get going for entire halves on multiple occasions this season. That can't happen against TCU or it will get out of hand quick, fast and in a hurry. Especially when our offense tends to get stagnant. Or efficient? Or boring? Or effective? (Does anyone really know what to make of them?)

With that being said, I have to go with the Heisman contender in a close one. TCU 48- OSU 37

Pokelahoma

1. Ogbah and Bean (assuming he plays) vs their OT's. Boykin running for his life is still more desirable than Boykin vs a secondary that still makes me nervous. At least if we can throw off some of the timing we have a chance.

2. It's working because they're both talented and good kids. Starting to think we're not giving Yurcich and by extension Gundy enough credit. Prepping for JW still takes time even if he's a glorified RB.

3. Weather report looks like it'll be fine so I like our chances less but the good times keep rollin' and we win on another game winning FG. Something like 48-45.