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What a long, strange trip it’s been. Much like the career of national treasure Britney Jean Spears, Oklahoma State’s season has had some unforgettable highs and embarrassing lows.
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Much like 2008 Brit, howvever, the Cowboys have (mostly) gotten things back on track, rebounding from some embarrassing losses to Baylor and Kansas State to clinch their 13th consecutive season of bowl eligibility with a win over No. 9 West Virginia last week. This week, they’ll look to build on their momentum against a wounded TCU squad attempting to clinch their own bowl berth. Will the results be Lucky or Toxic?
Game Info:
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
When: Saturday, November 24, 2018, 7:00 P.M. CST
TV: Fox
Stream: OKState.com (Audio)
Fox Sports Go(Broadcast)
Get To Know The TCU Horned Frogs (5-6, 3-5):
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This is gonna be our last goodbye
Our love is gone, but I’ll survive
Hide my tears and dry my eyes
You don’t need to see me cry
Pack my bags, can’t take no more
Adios, I’m out the door
Hide your tears and dry your eyes’
Cause I don’t want to see you cry
-Britney Spears, Don’t Cry
It’s been a heartbreaking season for the Horned Frogs. After starting the season 2-0 with resounding wins over Southern and arch-rival SMU, it looked as if TCU would ride its heralded defense to its 16th bowl eligible season in head coach Gary Patterson’s 18 years in Fort Worth. TCU went on to drop six of its next eight, including blowout losses to Ohio State, Texas, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. Sophomore quarterback Shawn Robinson struggled with turnovers, throwing eight interceptions in a five game span. After starting 3 of 8 for a measly 21 yards against Oklahoma, he was finally yanked in favor of University of Pennsylvania transfer Michael Collins and hasn’t been heard from since.
Collins has fared better than his predecessor in the turnover department, but the switch has been about as effective as the change from Jason Alexander to Kevin Federline. Under Collins’ four starts, TCU has only surpassed 17 points on one occasion, a 26-27 loss against Kansas. The Frogs circled the wagons last week in a 16-9 win over Baylor. Can they conjure up enough points to keep pace with the Cowboy offense? I’m So Curious to find out.
TCU Player to Watch: Jalen Reagor
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TCU’s number 1 is by far the Brightest Morning Star on an otherwise dull squad. With inconsistencies at quarterback and Gary Patterson’s renowned defense looking uncharacteristically shoddy, Reagor’s brilliance has remained a constant. Against Baylor, Heard first turned a simple screen pass into a 65 yard score. Then, with the game tied at nine and the game on the line, Reagor grabbed a reverse on fourth and one and took it 37 yards to the house. It was beautiful. Game, purple blouses.
Even in the midst of one of Gary Patterson’s toughest seasons in decades, Reagor has astoundingly cobbled together a stat line that ranks up with the Big XII’s elite receivers; 64 catches for 970 yards and eight touchdowns, plus a rushing score. Look for him to reach the 1,000 yard plateau against Oklahoma State.
Prediction:
This game will be a microcosm of both team’s seasons. Oklahoma State will wobble, look ugly, and emerge Out From Under the chaos, while TCU - despite Reagor’s strong performance - will leave fans Crazy. OSU 28; TCU 21.