College Football Week 4 schedule and predictions

STARKVILLE, MS - SEPTEMBER 16: Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Nick Fitzgerald (7) drops back for a pass during a football game between the Mississippi State Bulldogs and the LSU Tigers at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Mississippi on September 16, 2017 (Photo by John Korduner/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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MORGANTOWN, WV – OCTOBER 10: Mason Rudolph #2 of the West Virginia Mountaineers drops back to pass in the first quarter against the Oklahoma State Cowboys during the game at Mountaineer Field on October 10, 2015 in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /

No. 16 TCU at No. 6 Oklahoma State

Kickoff: Saturday, Sep. 23, 3:30 PM, ESPN

Here’s a huge game in the Big 12 on Saturday. Oklahoma State and TCU aren’t the perennial powers in the conference, but they’re coming on strong these past few games.

The Cowboys have been led by their impressive QB Mason Rudolph and efficient passing game. They have all the momentum rolling into this matchup against TCU. Both of these offenses have been steamrolling opponents, so this is sure to be a shootout.

Here are three things to watch in this matchup and also a final prediction on the game.

TCU at Oklahoma State: Three Things to Watch:

1. How is QB Mason Rudolph going to perform in the Big 12 opener?

Rudolph has been spectacular thus far for the Cowboys. All the talk had been about Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen, but it failed to mentioned the Oklahoma State signal caller. He’s been stellar thus far, throwing for 1,135 in three games and 11 touchdowns to one interception. Rudolph and the Cowboys are coming off of a huge win against Pittsburgh, so let’s see if he can keep it going.

2. Which team can get a stop or a turnover?

Honestly, this is probably what this game is going to come down to. TCU and Oklahoma State score the ball at rapid speed and average nearly 50 points per game. Defenses in the Big 12 will just try to get one or two stops, to give their offense the extra possession to score more than the opponent. We should be watching to see which defense can get that stop first. That team’s more likely to go ahead and win this game.

3. Will TCU’s previous battles help them in this upcoming game?

TCU has been in some close games this season, even if the final score doesn’t show it. They’ve trailed before and have had to score in the fourth quarter to win games. Oklahoma State hasn’t ever been threatened yet in a matchup, so it’ll be interesting to see if that has an impact on the outcome. It’ll be one of TCU’s few advantages, so let’s see if they can make use of it.

Prediction:

I always lean with the better quarterback and coach. Quarterback is definitely Rudolph and the coach is a coin-flip, but I’d lean with Mike Gundy. They’re at home, they’re the favorite by double digits, so they should win this matchup.

Oklahoma State over TCU, 41-27.

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