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Oklahoma State MVP Draft - Week 4: TCU

Our staff picks two players from each team who will have the greatest impact on the game.

NCAA Football: Oklahoma State at Pittsburgh Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Well fans, it’s the Big 12 conference opener and the No. 6 Oklahoma State Cowboys will be at home in front of a sold-out Boone Pickens Stadium as they play hosts to the No. 16 TCU Horned Frogs.

It’s sure to be loud, rowdy and insane, but before we get to enjoy it, I need my five puppets to make their picks!

Just a quick update on the scores. Joel leads the pack with five points, we have a three-way tie for second between Austin, Dustin and Micah, all with four points. Finally, in the basement, we have Cade, only has two points. Keep your head up Cade, it’s a long season.

Now, on to the picks!

Cade Webb:

Oklahoma State

Offense: Mason Rudolph

I’m taking Mason. I think he has a huge impact on the game Saturday. Back in 2015, he was able to throw the ball deep against TCU. Last year, he did the same thing. I don’t think he’ll be intimidated by them.

Here’s a stat ... TCU ranks 125th in “defensive explosiveness” (big plays given up by the defense), while Oklahoma State ranks 6th in offensive explosiveness. Can you say mismatch?

Defense: Justin Phillips

I haven’t picked him all year, but for some reason, i’m envisioning him intercepting a Kenny Hill pass over the middle and bringing it back for six. He’s already had two pick-sixes this season. It would be something for him to have his third.

TCU

Offense: Kavontae Turpin

I am a huge Kavontae Turpin fan. He’s been electric since he got to TCU, and is always one play away. He was banged up last season and didn’t make much of an impact, and it’s yet to be seen if he’s completely bounced back. That said, a healthy Turpin is one of the elite playmakers in college football. I’d be perfectly fine with being wrong on this one.

Defense: Ranthony Texada

Texada is one of the seasoned veterans in this TCU secondary. He’s one of the better cornerbacks in the conference, and given the amount that the Cowboys will throw the ball, I’m sure he’ll have plenty of opportunities to make plays.

Dustin Ragusa

Oklahoma State

Offense: Justice Hill

TCU struggled slightly against the run in their matchup with SMU. The Mustangs ran for 124 yards on 4.1 yards per carry. They also gave up 4.2 yards per carry against Arkansas earlier this season. Now this isn’t horrible, but after what Justice Hill did to the Frogs last season (154 yards, 9.6 ypc), and watching the TCU rush defense so far this season… I think the young Cowboy running back will have another stellar performance. The Pokes ended up with 334 yards on the ground and three touchdowns vs TCU last year, and even though we have one of the best passing offenses in the country, I could see this turning into another big day for the running game.

Defense: Tre Flowers

Tre Flowers – I don’t want to sound too overconfident, but Kenny Hill is definitely going to throw at least one interception in this game.

The question is, who will be on the receiving end for OSU? I’m going to go with Tre Flowers, he’s already picked one pass off this season, and he’s played really well overall. Even if he doesn’t get a turnover, he’s leading the team in total tackles and has looked good in coverage.

TCU

Offense: Kenny Hill

Hill didn’t have a great game against the Cowboys last season. Only throwing for 166 yards and he had two interceptions. However, he did rush for 79 yards, and after watching Chad President of Tulsa rush for 69 yards against the Pokes earlier this season, I think Hill could have a decent day using his feet instead of his arm. Also, if TCU running back Kyle Hicks misses this one (game-time decision), the Frogs will be short some rushing production. I could see them looking to Hill more with designed QB runs. I still don’t expect him to have a great game, but I have to pick somebody.

Defense: Ben Banogu

The 6’4, 240lb defensive end will look to make Mason Rudolph uncomfortable in Stillwater this Saturday. TCU’s pass rush has been solid so far this season, recording eight sacks, Banogu with two of those. He will have to carry the load himself in the first half as his partner in crime, Matt Boesen, will be sitting out due to a targeting penalty against SMU last week. The Cowboys OL has looked pretty good themselves, but Banogu and company will be a tough test come this weekend. I expect Banogu to be involved in a lot of plays… just hopefully not too many.

Joel Penfield

Oklahoma State

Offense: Tyron Johnson

After not playing last week, I feel Johnson is going to come out and play like a man possessed. This could be a special week and breakout game for him. I am excited to see what he can do. I need to be watching out for Dustin because I feel like he'll pass out if Johnson breaks a long touchdown.

Defense: Calvin Bundage

With Kenneth Edison-McGruder's health still in question, Bundage could be starting this week. He is one of the biggest hitters on the field, and imposes his will every time he hits someone on the other team. He'll be flying around the field destroying anyone in his path this week.

TCU

Offense: Sewo Olonilua

For some weird reason this guy is 6'3 225 and is a running back and not a tight end. Oh well, TCU loves giving him the ball in any capacity. The use him as a running back, catching the ball out of the backfield, and a wildcat QB.

Defense: Nick Orr

With 16 tackles through 3 games, this guy flies all over the field. The senior safety is the leader on the field, and is somewhat like Jordan Sterns in how he comes downhill from the position.

Austin Higgs

Oklahoma State

Offense: Marcell Ateman

Ateman has about 6 inches on both starting TCU corners (Texada 5'10 & Lewis 5'10) soooo.... yeah. I'm calling a few endzone fades from #2 to #3.

Defense: Calvin Bundage

With Kenneth Edison-McGruder missing Week 2 and 3, and an unknown status for Week 4, Bundage is the guy to step up, and I see him stepping up in a big way. Just watching Bundage is exciting. He doesn't just run, he sprints. He doesn't just jump, he explodes. He doesn't just tackle, he seriously almost kills people. He's one of those defensive players that can make the entire student section say "OH S***!" at the exact same time. That's why I'm going with Bundage.

TCU

Offense: Kenedy Snell

The freshman running back out of Waxahachie, TX is my pick for MVP. Snell has serious track speed, and TCU is just now finding ways to use him (think how OSU used Tyreek Hill back a few seasons ago). At this point in his college career, he's more of a pass catching back than a typical down hill runner. Glenn Spencer is going to have to use a safety to cover Snell all game long, because if the Oklahoma State linebackers are tasked with covering Snell, it's game over.

Defense: Nick Orr

The second-team All-Big 12 safety is going to be busy on Saturday. With the passing attack the Oklahoma State touts, Nick Orr is going to need to bring his A-game to Boone Pickens Stadium. Orr tends to find himself near the ball on nearly every play, so I'm choosing him to make a difference for the Frogs.

Micah Allen

Oklahoma State

Offense: James Washington

I'm going with Washington again this week. He has 13 catches for 367 yards and is still the head of this receiving core. I like Washington to do big things against the Horned Frogs.

Defense: Justin Phillips

Kenny Hill has a tendency to throw interceptions, Justin Phillips has a tendency to catch interceptions. He has two in the first three games. I think you understand my logic here. Phillips has had an impressive season so far and I think that continues.

TCU

Offense: Kenedy Snell

Kennedy Snell has been a big part of this offense. He's scary in the open field, lose him and he gone, I think he makes some big plays for the Frogs.

Defense: Travin Howard

Howard is the Frogs current defensive leader. He's got 18 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss. He's also got an interception. Howard seems to be the Frogs’ man on defense.


The Cowboys and the Horned Frogs will kick off at 2:30 CST at Boone Pickens Stadium. There will be quite the crowd at BPS for the matchup. Barry Sanders will be signing autographs from noon to 2 p.m. and the OSU soccer and men's basketball team will also be signing autographs, according to the O’Colly. Also present will be the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy, as well as the Big 12 Championship trophy.

If you aren’t in Stillwater, you can watch the game on ESPN.

Go Pokes!