NORMAN, Okla. _ From the first snap, TCU played from behind.
Not on the scoreboard, although that was the case soon enough.
The Horned Frogs were in an uphill battle from the time John Diarse was called for a personal foul following a 5-yard run by Kyle Hicks on the game's opening snap.
Instead of second-and-5 and on schedule on their first possession, the Frogs faced second-and-15 and were behind the chains.
The drive went nowhere, and TCU missed a chance to start with a ball-control formula in its Big 12 showdown for first place against the Oklahoma Sooners. It was a misstep the Frogs couldn't afford against the nation's No. 1 offense, which overwhelmed them with a playmaking, 395-yard, 38-point first half en route to Saturday night's 38-20 victory.
The Sooners struck like lightning against the Big 12's best defense.
Running back Rodney Anderson bounced off defenders on a 14-yard touchdown catch and run. He rolled into the end zone after a diving catch against Travin Howard. Wide receiver Marquis Brown stretched out to snatch a deep pass off the carpet. Tight end Grant Calcaterra climbed high in the air for a touchdown catch.
It all built a 38-14 lead.
And Baker Mayfield? He Baker Mayfield-ed.
The now near-certain Heisman Trophy winner took the stage at Gaylord Family Memorial Stadium and threw for 299 yards and three touchdowns before intermission. On a day of massive importance in college football, that half alone against a defense the quality of TCU's could have won him the trophy.
While that was happening, TCU missed a field goal that could have tied the game in the first quarter, running back Darius Anderson left with an injury, and defensive end Mat Boesen _ second on the team in sacks _ was ejected for kicking.
Frogs quarterback Kenny Hill was sacked twice and completed only nine passes through three quarters. His offense, a month ago the nation's best on third down managed only two touchdowns against an OU defense that gave up 52 points the week before.
TCU's character showed itself. The Frogs stabilized the game on defense in the third quarter, and Hicks' touchdown on a shovel pass cut the lead to 38-20 early in the fourth quarter. For a fourth consecutive game, TCU pitched a second-half shutout.
But the story of the game had been told. A penalty here, a sack there. One mistake a drive had been one too many for TCU.
Now Mayfield and OU have a chance at the College Football Playoff.
TCU really doesn't.
But for a Big 12 title, the opportunity remains. The Frogs still have a clear path to Arlington for the championship game. No one is in the way, provided they win at Texas Tech next week and at home against Baylor six days later.
OU is probably going to be waiting. It would take a lot for OU not to be waiting.
And if that's the case, it will mean an opportunity is also waiting for TCU _ an opportunity to bring a better game against the Sooners. The Frogs won't be playing for a playoff spot.
But they would be playing for a Big 12 championship.
That would mean more than anything that happened Saturday night in Norman.
