Grab The In Depth ATS Betting Report – Click Here!<\/a><\/p>\nTCU<\/h3>\n
Is this the end of TCU\u2019s run among the elite teams in the nation? NO…definitely not.<\/p>\n
Friday night will mark the beginning of the Casey Paschall era at TCU. \u00a0Truth be told he was a much more highly touted high schooler than the aforementioned Dalton and is probably a better overall athlete and thrower. \u00a0He is essentially untested but definitely has help on offense with the return of last year\u2019s top three rushers and top receiver – Josh Boyce. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Plus the Frogs are improving the quality of their recruiting classes as evidenced by the get of WR LaDarious Brown who was ranked #12 in the nation at his position. \u00a0Paschall is unlikely to be as successful as Dalton (who could be) but this team should have no trouble scoring points.<\/p>\n
The key to TCU\u2019s success of course is the defense (6 straight seasons under 19ppg allowed). \u00a0I am very confident that coach Gary Patterson will be able to take the five returning starters from last year, including the best pair of linebackers in the country, and mold a top 5 defense that can win games on its own if need be. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Patterson is a great defensive mind and coach who will have the Frogs ready to begin another season long assault on the BCS. \u00a0This is a very big game against a relatively familiar opponent.<\/p>\n
Baylor<\/h3>\n
The Baylor Bears have been a bit snakebit lately. They have had a lot of talent come through Waco lately – including QB Robert Griffin – but still can\u2019t seem to break through the 7-5 barrier. <\/p>\n
Last year looked like it might be a tipping point when a win over Texas vaulted them to #22 in the rankings but three straight double digit losses thereafter demonstrated that this team is still stuck in the middle, or worse, in the now reformed Big 12.<\/p>\n
As superlative a talent as Griffin is, what has been learned over his tenure is that he can not do it alone. \u00a0Griffin is the leading returning rusher so they will be looking to establish a ground game with some players who are not used to getting a lot of carries. \u00a0 \u00a0[soliloquy id=”82219″]<\/p>\n
The strongest position group on the team was supposed to be receiver but their best deep threat, Josh Gordon, left the team in August. \u00a0Kendall Wright may be dependable and has all conference ability but Gordon was the receiver defense feared and replacing him won\u2019t be easy. \u00a0<\/p>\n
He was one of the few difference makers on the team, capable of making a play against the highest levels of competition.<\/p>\n
The defense will have lots of new faces this season with the top 5 tacklers gone from a year ago. \u00a0Only 5 starters return from a group that gave up more than 30ppg last season and needs to improve to give the offense a chance. \u00a0To beat the Frogs they will need Defensive End Tevin Elliot, the team\u2019s leading sacker last year to make things uncomfortable for Paschall. \u00a0<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t really see that or a Baylor upset happening. \u00a0Baylor has lost to TCU every time since they used to be in the Southwest Conference together. \u00a0<\/p>\n
None have been all that close, in fact the margins are getting bigger.<\/p>\n
Trends:<\/h3>\n
Under is 6-1-1 in TCU last 8 vs. Big 12.
\nTCU are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. Big 12.
\nOver is 7-2 in BAY last 9 games overall.<\/p>\n
ATS Pick: \u00a0TCU -6.5
\nOver\/Under Pick: Over 55.5
\nScore Prediction: \u00a0TCU 38 – Baylor 20<\/strong><\/p>\n