Who: Texas Longhorns 1-3 (0-1) vs TCU Horned Frogs 4-0 (1-0)
When: Saturday October 3rd 2015 at 11AM
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth TX (ABC)
Odds: TCU -15
The Good: The TCU offense has picked up where they left off last season. Heisman quarterback candidate Trevonne Boykin has been on fire to start the year passing for nearly 1500 yards and 14 touchdowns on 65% passing. Boykin is protecting the ball well and is also making plays with his legs to put stress on opposing defenses. Aaron Green leads the running attack for TCU averaging 6 yards per carry and 6 touchdowns on the season. The headliner for TCU so far has been massive receiver Josh Doctson. Doctson is coming off a monster week against Texas Tech (18 catches/267 yards/3 touchdowns). Doctson presents a matchup nightmare for the Longhorns, and the responsibility might fall to one of the freshmen corners with size to matchup with him. The Frogs have also spread the ball the around in the passing game eight different receivers have reached the end zone this season.
The Bad: The TCU defense looks nothing like it did last season. After a large amount of turnover due to graduation, injuries, and suspensions, the Frogs are finding themselves in shootouts week in and week out. So far TCU is yielding 405 yards per game to opposing offenses, and needed a circus show final play to hold off a feisty Texas Tech team. TCU has also seen their struggles on special teams. Their kicking game is experiencing shortcomings as senior kicker Jaden Oberkrom has only connected on 57% of field goals this season. This combination of deficiencies on defense and special teams will put a team in a game of chance every time they take the field.
The Uncertain: TCU will make their living on offense and hope they can make enough plays to win in a shootout. The question is if they will have the personnel and ability to frustrate Jerrod Heard like Oklahoma State did in the second half saturday. The Longhorns are coming off of two heartbreakers and are desperately grasping at anything they can find to turn the season around. If Texas can find some more defense like they showed last week they become a dangerous team with Jerrod Heard. The Longhorns are expected by many to lose the next two games and will be playing with nothing to lose at this point.
What’s at stake: TCU is one of the top teams in the nation and is looking for a perfect season and playoff berth. This Longhorn team has shown improvement and fight since their opening loss to Notre Dame and would love to make a statement against a playoff contender. Vance Bedford was able to scheme last year to slow down TCU in the first half before turnovers did Texas in. If he can dust off a similar game plan and limit the explosive TCU offense, Texas might find themselves in position to make a statement.
