2013 Football Previews – Big 12 – Horned Fr
Texas Christian University is in better shape than most Big 12 teams at the quarterback position, although its success still rides on a massive “what-if”.
Big 12 Conference 2013 College Football Previews: TCU Horned Frogs (Team Link)
Head Coach: Gary Patterson
2012 Record: 8-4
TCU Gambling Odds to win BCS Championship: 66/1
TCU Gambling Odds to win Big 12: 15/4
Casey Pachall had a dominant 2011 campaign, but he was removed just five games into the season last year to deal with substance abuse problems; concerning because Pachall has professional-caliber talent but constantly got sidetracked with alcohol and drugs.
If Pachall can get even close to mimicking his ’11 performance, TCU will be in as good a shape as any program to grab the conference hardware.
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There is more talent returning on offense, after a lengthy hiatus. Running back Waymon James has missed the last 11 games with a knee injury, but he has the ability to be an impact player for the Horned Frogs. Last year was a bit of a rollercoaster ride for TCU’s first season in the Big 12, largely due to inexperience at critical positions.
Pachall and James being back and returned to form should do a world of good in Fort Worth.
Defensively, the Frogs return plenty of veteran savvy. Texas Christian’s entire defensive secondary returns intact – a unit that snagged 21 interceptions in 2012. Safeties Sam Carter, Chris Hackett and stud CB Jason Verrett are among some of the premier DBs in the nation.
Pass-rushing fiends Stansly Maponga and Kenny Cain are gone, but there is quality depth elsewhere. Not to mention, the best elixir for a slumping pass rush is a talented back seven that can hold man coverage for a length of time – something TCU should definitely accomplish.
Fans and bettors should also keep an eye out for transfer WR Ja’Juan Story. The former Florida Gator brings size (6”4, 208 lbs) and athleticism to pair with fellow physical marvel LaDarius Brown (6”4, 220).
Both should provide Pachall with intriguing targets and should ease the QB’s transition back from his off-field struggles. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The road is not easy in 2013 for the Horned Frogs. Militant head coach Gary Patterson and his troops have a non-conference game against LSU in Cowboys Stadium (Arlington, TX) to start the season, and also face Oklahoma and Kansas State away from Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Yet, TCU now has proven experience behind Pachall and James (sophomore QB Trevone Boykin and fellow sophomore RB B.J. Catalon, to be precise) which should buttress the many athletes on both sides of the ball. Even though offensive line depth (and maybe talent) is certainly an issue, the Frogs have the playmakers to make noise in the Big 12 this year.
Ultimately, bounce-back seasons at all the positions under center will determine just how successful the 2013 campaign is for TCU.
2013 Horned Frogs Schedule
8/31/13 9:00 PM ET LSU
9/7/13 12:00 PM ET SOLOU
9/12/13 7:30 PM ET @TXTCH
9/28/13 TBD SMU
10/5/13 TBD @OKLA
10/12/13 TBD KANS
10/19/13 TBD @OKLST
10/26/13 TBD TEXAS
11/2/13 TBD WVIRG
11/9/13 TBD @IOWST
11/16/13 TBD @KANST
11/30/13 TBD BAY
