(Big 12) TCU Horned Frogs
Their last year in the Mountain West TCU won 11 games. It took them two seasons to reach that total in the Big 12 as things have not gone all that smoothly for the Horned Frogs.
TCU Horned Frogs
- Head Coach: Gary Patterson
- 2013 Record: 4-7
- Gambling Odds to win National Championship: 250/1
- Gambling Odds to win (B12): 15/1
This year expectations were high that they would fill that sleeper role but the season hasn’t even begun and they have already lost their best defensive player DE Devonte Fields.
I trust coach Gary Patterson a lot but it doesn’t look very promising right now.
Strengths:
Fields may be gone but the fact is they didn’t have him all of last season either, and they were 24th in yards allowed. 8 returning starters will be on the field and there is good reason to think they could have their best defense since joining the B12.
There are a lot less questions on that side of the ball.
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The Horned Frogs want to be able to run the ball and B.J. Catalon gives them a shifty back who can make people miss and hit some home runs. Backup Aaron Green started his collegiate career at Nebraska and will be looking to make up for lost time.
He can be better than he was a season ago.
QB Matt Joeckel didn’t see a ton of game action the last two season backing up Johnny Manziel but the graduate transfer looks primed to take advantage of an explosive receiving group at TCU. If he is as good as advertised this might be a team that passes to set up the run.
He just wasn’t a fit with the Aggies.
Weaknesses:
After a rough 2013 the Horned Frogs needed a momentum change. With Fields leaving over the summer it just created more upheaval at a program that when it is at its best is as quiet as any in football.
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Patterson needs to refocus his troops and get off to a good start as their first league game is against Oklahoma.
CB Jason Verrett was one of the best in college football last season but will be playing in the NFL this season.
His spot is being taken by a 160 pound freshman this fall. If Ranthony Texada is not up to the task the slick passing offenses in the league will pick the Horned Frogs apart.
TCU lost 4 games last season by three points or less. If they are going to come anywhere close to flipping their record they need to learn how to close out games and deal with adversity. That speaks to leadership.
With a new QB in the fold who is going to take command and lead the troops.
TCU Prediction: 9-3
2014 TCU Schedule:
Aug 30 – Samford
Sep 13 – Minnesota
Sep 27 – @SMU
Oct 4 – Oklahoma
Oct 11 – @Baylor
Oct 18 – Oklahoma State
Oct 25 – Texas Tech
Nov 1 – @West Virginia
Nov 8 – Kansas State
Nov 15 – @Kansas
Nov 27 – @Texas
Dec 6 – Iowa State
I am expecting a big rebound season for the Horned Frogs. If Joeckel settles the QB position the offense should be just fine and even without Fields the defense can be very good – the were second in the league without him last year.
Watch out for that game when they host Oklahoma. Patterson has had Stoops’ number in the past and the Sooners QB still won’t have had 10 starts under his belt at that point.
They will be a very live dog in that, especially if the Sooners are crushing teams to start the year.
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