TCU Horned Frogs: Big 12 preview
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Under head coach Gary Patterson, who's entering his 21st season with TCU, the Horned Frogs finished 8-4 (5-4 Big 12). The defense controlled the team and games were either lost or won by this unit. 8 starters are returning and they allowed 351 yards and 24 points per game.
The offense averaged 411 yards and 31 points per game, but there were major inconsistencies. At least the offense has 9 returning players. The OL was good in helping the run game but played poorly in protecting the QB. Speaking of QB, he can't be the lead rusher on your team if you want to have a balanced attack and want to be contenders.
2021-2022 Big 12 Conference preview: TCU Horned Frogs
TCU's strengths: Their main pass rushers will be Khari Coleman and Ochuan Mathis in 2020. These two combined for 12 sacks (9 from Mathis) and 29 tackles for loss. They should help set the pace for the rest of the defense with their speed and athleticism. UCF transfer Kenny Turnier will be a great depth piece (7.5 TFL and 4 sacks last year).
TCU's weakness: TCU has an issue with their ability to score points. They may have averaged 31 points per game in 2020 but failed to score at least 14 points in three games (all losses). The offense was 6th in the Big 12 in total TDs and 9th in the Big 12 with 11 passing TDs. In retrospect, Oklahoma had 32.
TCU Horned Frogs key players: Offense
QB: Max Duggan - He is a very safe and cautious QB who is also efficient. Duggan is developing each year and led the Horned Frogs with 526 rushing yards and 10 TDs. He's a dynamic playmaker on the field but needs to find success with his passing if TCU wants to have a fighting chance.
OT: Obinna Eza - Eza had 25 starts while with Memphis before transferring. LT TJ Storment's starting job has an open vacancy and Eza should be able to fill it. TCU's pass protection is a weakness and Max Duggan needs to be able to develop as a successful passer.
TCU Horned Frogs key players: Defense
LB: Wyatt Harris - Harris will slide into the role of the new leader for this 4-2-5 defense. He had just 3 tackles in 2020 and may raise questions on why he will have a bigger role. TCU is known to be able to groom their depth players into playmakers on defense.
LB: Dee Winters - Dee Winters was second on the team with 65 total tackles. He's a smaller speedster but can cause havoc in the opposing backfield. TCU uses 2 LBs in their system and these two players will be the centerpieces of the defense.
2021-2022 TCU Horned Frogs Big 12 schedule
Week 1: Saturday, September 4, vs Duquesne
Week 2: Saturday, September 11, vs Cal
Week 3: Saturday, September 25, vs SMU
Week 4: Saturday, October 2, vs Texas
Week 5: Saturday, October 9, at Texas Tech
Week 6: Saturday, October 16, at Oklahoma
Week 7: Saturday, October 23, vs West Virginia
Week 8: Saturday, October 30, at Kansas State
Week 9: Saturday, November 6, vs Baylor
Week 10: Saturday, November 13, at Oklahoma State
Week 11: Saturday, November 20, vs Kansas
Week 12: Friday, November 26, at Iowa State
2021-2022 TCU Horned Frogs Big 12 predictions (8-4 overall, 5-4 Big 12)
TCU will improve greatly from last year and give Gary Patterson a decent team to work with in the future. They will steal wins against Big 12 opponents Texas, Baylor, Kansas, Kansas State and Oklahoma State. The Horned Frogs won't be in the running for the Big 12 title but will come close and be in a good position in 2022.
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