Oklahoma will look to bring back the Big 12 big nonconference win, Oklahoma State will attempt to put it on its former offensive coordinator and TCU will try to get back on track offensively.
Those are the Big 12’s major storylines for Week 5:
SMU at TCU, noon ET (FS1): The Horned Frogs spent the off week trying to correct an offense that was a mess in a loss to Texas Tech in Lubbock. Look for TCU to try to come out running the offense through B.J. Catalon and Waymon James, who form one of the better one-two punches at running back in the Big 12. This is TCU's only real opportunity to get the offense back on track before the schedule gets tough again, beginning next weekend with a trip to Norman, Okla.
Oklahoma State at West Virginia, noon (ESPN): The Cowboys go into Morgantown, W.Va., with confidence, but they have to be at least a little concern with QB Clint Trickett getting his first chance to spark the offense. The Mountaineers have been solid defensively so far this year, and if Trickett can hit some plays downfield in the passing game, this game could get interesting. Then again, if the West Virginia offense keeps doing what it has been doing, this game could get ugly quickly.
Oklahoma at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. (NBC): The Sooners have the chance to vanquish their Notre Dame demons from the past while showing the country they might have been overlooked during the preseason national championship conversation. The key will be whether the Oklahoma offensive line can hold its own this time against Notre Dame defensive linemen Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix III. If the Sooners can run the ball effectively and Blake Bell keeps putting passes on the money, Oklahoma could walk out of South Bend, Ind., with its first victory over the Irish in 57 years.
