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TCU's 28-21 2OT win ends Baylor's Big 12 title, CFP hopes

Baylor’s pursuit of a Big 12 title and a spot in the College Football Playoff is officially over thanks to its rival TCU.

The Horned Frogs defeated the Bears 28-21 in a double overtime deluge after Baylor running back Devin Chaffin was stopped for no gain on fourth down to end the game.

Baylor came into the contest needing a win to keep pace with Oklahoma for the Big 12 title. The Bears lost to the Sooners a few weeks ago, but an Oklahoma loss to Oklahoma State on Saturday would have all but handed the Bears the Big 12 title. Now, the Big 12 title and possibly a spot in the College Football Playoff will come down to the Bedlam game Saturday night.

Baylor had its chances on Friday.

It scored 14 points on its first two possessions and took a 14-7 lead early. But then the offense became stagnant because of turnovers. Quarterback Chris Johnson, a third stringer who was playing in place of injured starter Jarrett Stidham, had two costly turnovers in the first half, including a fumble that was returned for what would ultimately be the score to force overtime.

After the first half, both offenses went ice cold thanks to the freezing temperatures and the pouring rain. Johnson missed all 10 of his passes in the second half and TCU quarterback Boykin wasn’t much better. Overall, the teams combined for seven turnovers, including five for Baylor. Thay also combined for 23 punts.

However, in the overtime, both quarterbacks shined.

Johnson threw a jump pass that got Baylor on the board first in the first overtime and Boykin had a nice misdirection play that saw him waltz into the end zone for the tying score. In the second overtime, TCU’s offensive line had little trouble holding off Baylor’s three-man rush while Boykin found KaVonte Turpin for an eight-yard touchdown pass in the end zone.

The rest was up to the TCU defense, which had played well all game and ultimately limited Baylor to 335 yards of total offense.

It was fitting that TCU was the one to spoil Baylor’s season simply because the loss to Baylor a year ago did the same thing for TCU. Now, all eyes will be on Stillwater, Okla., where the two Oklahoma schools will duke it out for conference superiority. Oklahoma State hasn’t won the conference since 2011 and Oklahoma hasn’t won it since 2010. Of the two teams, Oklahoma, which is currently No. 3 in the CFP rankings, likely has the only shot of making the playoff. If the Sooners lose, the Big 12 would be shut out of the coveted postseason for the second consecutive season.

Both Baylor and TCU started the season as the favorites in the conference but major injuries to key players altered those plans. TCU took the most injury hits, especially on defense (and to star receiver Josh Doctson) and still managed to win 10 games.

TCU’s regular season is over and the Horned Frogs will wait to learn their bowl destination. Baylor finishes its regular season against Texas next week.

For more Baylor news, visit SicEmSports.com.

For more TCU news, visit PurpleMenace.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!

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