HornSports Staff
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OFFENSE
Much like others in the Big 12, TCU runs a quick-paced no-huddle offense that gets to the line as quickly as possible, and snaps the ball within the first 15 seconds of the play clock.
TCU runs a shotgun offense, primarily using one back, but also shifts to a no-back, five WR set and even a two-back, pistol formation in short yardage situations.
(one back)
(no back, 5 WR)
(two back, pistol)
The TCU offense is loaded with quality skill position players, none as talented as their QB Trevon Boykin. Boykin is a true dual threat QB with very good pocket presence. He is a very quick runner, but often passes first, and can do so very effectively on the run.
Schematically, the Horned Frogs are not afraid to look for big plays in the passing game, but will challenge soft coverage with slants and quick stops.
Other notes:
- TCU has one of the top offenses in the nation, ranking 4th in both scoring (45.9 ppg) and in total offense (541 ypg).
- While the Horned Frogs’ rushing attack is ranked 26th nationally at 218 ypg, their passing offense is even better, averaging 323.6ypg (8th nationally).
- The TCU offense is very efficient in yards and scoring, but their offense doesn’t allow them to control the clock as they only rank 55th in TOP.
- The offensive line has done a good job of protecting Boykin throughout the year, allowing only 1.7 sacks per game (39th).
- When the Horned Frogs are on the goal line, the go-to play for the offense is the option to the empty side of the field (no WR’s lined up).
DEFENSE
TCU runs a basic 4-3 defense and stays in that formation throughout the game. While the defensive alignment is simplistic, the scheme is very aggressive - the Horned Frogs blitz often, and attempt to make opposing QB’s think quickly.
(4-3 alignment)
The defensive backs normally line up 2-5 yards off of outside receivers, and give more cushion to the slot.
In short yardage situations, the secondary moves in closer to the line of scrimmage, but the base 4-3 alignment stays the same.
(Short yardage, 4-3 with extra defensive back in the box)
Other Notes:
- TCU’s aggressive defense has them ranked in the top 20 in sacks (19th with 29 total sacks) and 4th in turnover margin (+14 with 17 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries).
- The Horned Frogs rank 48th in total defense (allowing 378.8 yards pg) and 36th in scoring defense (23.1 ppg).
- While TCU’s scheme has produced many turnovers and sacks, it also results in their secondary being taken advantage of on several occasions. Against the pass, the Horned Frogs rank 98th, allowing 255.7 passing ypg and 16 TDs.
Special Teams
Overall, the Horned Frogs have a very average special teams unit that isn’t necessarily great or bad in any area. TCU’s FG kicker, Jaden Oberkrom is 18/22 on FGs for the year with a long of 47, but he is only 5/8 beyond 40 yards.
TCU ranks 39th in punt returns (9.93 ypr – 1 TD) and 68th on kickoff returns (20.3 ypr – 1 TD). When kicking to opponents, the Horned Frogs rank 44th in kickoff defense (19.8 ypr – 0 TD) and 60th in net punting (37.64).
Their best area of special teams is punt defense as they rank 1st nationally in punt return yardage. The Horned Frogs have limited teams to -2 yards on only 7 returns, indicating that their punter does a very good job of not outkicking coverage.
MATCHUPS
Texas QB/WR/TE’s v. TCU DB’s:
If Texas is going to pull off the upset, they will need a big performance from this group. While TCU is giving up 255 passing yards per game, they have done a great job sacking the opposing QB and creating turnovers.
Swoopes has played well this season against opponents who have been unable to defend the pass efficiently.
Advantage:
Texas RB’s v. TCU LB’s:
TCU’s rush defense ranks 19th nationally. They have allowed an average of only 123.1 ypg. While the Longhorns have improved in recent games, specifically in the first half, they still struggle to maintain consistency throughout games.
Advantage:
Texas OL v. TCU DL:
The improvement of the Longhorns’ offensive line through the first eleven games has been astronomical. Texas went through much of the season being unable to run the football and protect the quarterback, but over the past three games the Longhorns’ OL has gelled and has been a big part of the team’s 4-game winning streak.
Unfortunately, the TCU defensive line has had their way with opponents. The aggressive nature of the Horned Frog defense has produced a high sack total and a top 20 rush defense.
Even with recent improvement, the Longhorns O-Line faces a tough challenge in the TCU front four.
Advantage:
Texas DB’s v. TCU QB/WR/TE:
Both Texas and TCU are very good at their craft when it comes to passing the ball and defending the pass. TCU is 8th offensively passing the ball while Texas ranks 14th in pass defense.
While Boykin is a very efficient and effective QB, the Longhorns have faced solid dual threat QBs this year in Bryce Petty and Trevor Knight, and have done as well as anyone in the country.
This matchup will be the one to watch.
Advantage: Even
Texas LB’s v. TCU RB’s:
The Longhorns have improved game-by-game against the run and much of that has to do with Jordan Hicks and Steve Edmond. The two Seniors have been able to shut down the rushing attacks of opponents on a consistent basis and assist the defensive line in creating constant pressure on the opposing QB’s.
The Horned Frogs bring a solid rushing attack to Austin, ranking 26th nationally at 218 ypg. TCU has a good stable of RB’s, but it’s the running ability of Boykin at QB that gives the Horned Frogs’ ground attack an extra dynamic. Even though TCU is a better passing team than rushing, the Horned Frogs have the ability to take over the game on the ground.
Advantage:
Texas DL v. TCU OL:
TCU’s offensive line has done a tremendous job throughout the season in both protecting their QB and creating holes for the RB’s. The Horned Frogs have a line loaded with size and experience which has really helped their offense improve from 2013 to this year.
For the Longhorns, it has become more and more apparent that the strength of the defense is the D-Line. Led by Malcom Brown and Hassan Ridgeway, very few opponents have been able to stop the defense and give their QB time for big plays.
While the TCU offense has played well, the Texas defensive line has been nearly unstoppable.
Advantage:
Special Teams:
Neither team has consistently been able to utilize special teams to their advantage. Texas certainly has had their problems this year, struggling to be consistently good in different facets from game to game.
While TCU has a solid field goal kicker and maintains average play at all positions, they don’t have many game changers that strike fear in opponents when kicking the ball.
Even though TCU is only average, they are still better than Texas in this area.
Advantage:
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