Sooners QB Baker Mayfield passes concussion tests, cleared to practice

He has thrown for 33 touchdowns in 11 games with only five interceptions.

Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) is tackled by TCU safety…

Mayfield is the prime reason the Oklahoma offense has been so explosive and among the nation’s best in 2015. He will be monitored the rest of the week to see if he’ll be ready for the annual rivalry game against the Cowboys.

The Heisman hopeful did not play in the second half of this weekend’s win against TCU after suffering a helmet-to-helmet blow to the back of the head in the second quarter. David Beaty’s team played its best game of the season last week at TCU.He wasn’t allowed to play in the second half. He was seen wincing and opening a closing his eyes immediately afterward. The OU defense was absolutely awesome all night long, holding TCU to a season-low 390 yards of total offense (which may have been a factor in Patterson’s decision to go for two). Stoops said Mayfield was evaluated on the sideline and was cleared to return, but at halftime Stoops said Mayfield admitted to having headaches.

Have to include Baker Mayfield on here even though he went out with an injury. Falk was carried off the field during No. 20 WSU’s win over Colorado on Saturday. He said he won’t change his approach, and added that taking such hits comes with playing the sport. Knight seems to be more comfortable in a zone-read style of offense, which is what the Sooners ran prior to Riley replacing Josh Heupel and Jay Norvell in the OC position.

But Oklahoma remains very much in the Playoff picture because at the season’s most critical point so far, the Sooners gambled – and then timed the leap just right. Sure, they were creative when it came to the Wild Frog and use of Shaun Nixon, but why they didn’t use Turpin more, call more screens and short passes, I just don’t know. Though Mayfield’s practice routine does not involve contact, he will have to get through a full week without a setback, ESPN noted.

Patterson said Tuesday that redshirt freshman Foster Sawyer could be the likely starter for the 11th-ranked Frogs if Boykin doesn’t play.

Washington coach Mike Leach goes to the extreme when it comes to not talking about injuries, but the Falk situation was serious enough for the athletic director to say Monday that the school was following concussion protocols.

Oklahoma, victor of six straight, will have the opportunity to claim the Big 12 Championship next week when it plays No. 4 Oklahoma State.