The TCU Horned Frogs got a rude awakening last year as they moved into the Big 12 and pretty much got their heads handed to them, going 7-6 overall and 4-5 in the conference. This year, armed with the best defense in the league, they are ready to make some noise in the Big 12. Vegas Odds have TCU listed at 115-1 to win the 2014 BCS National Title.
Head coach Gary Patterson knew what he was getting into and it was not all bad as the team did win some games on the road. What can we expect from the TCU Horned Frogs in their second season in the Big 12?
How fast can the offensive line start to dominate? As good as the defense should be, TCU can’t make a big move in the Big 12 by finishing eighth in total and scoring offense. The quarterback situation will work itself out, the running game should improve and the receiving corps will move on and be fine despite the loss of Josh Boyce. However, all the talent at the skill spots won’t matter a lick if the line doesn’t start to be better in pass protection and more efficient for the ground attack. The tackles will be solid and center Eric Tausch will be a good one, but the guards have to shine and the depth needs to improve.
Suffice to say, TCU is stacked on the defensive side for the upcoming season. Only one starter departs and the entire group can lay the wood. They have the talents to bring pressure on quarterbacks, stuff the run and cover like a blanket. Can the pass rush be more consistent and more effective? For all the big numbers and all the big plays, there weren’t any sacks in the losses to Oklahoma State or Oklahoma, and the one sack against West Virginia wasn’t enough despite coming up clutch in the shootout win. Generating three sacks against Texas Tech was great, but the secondary gave up seven touchdown passes in the overtime shootout. 19 of the 29 sacks came in the first seven games, but ten came in the final six.
Oh great. Just when it seems like TCU has everything starting to come together with a team ready to make a nice run, it starts out the season in Dallas against LSU. Fortunately, SE Louisiana is up next to gear up for the start to the Big 12 season at Texas Tech. Unfortunately, there’s an unnecessary week off before getting SMU – it would’ve been nicer to have the extra time to prepare for a trip to Oklahoma the following week. I don’t think the team is good enough to run the table and win the BCS national title but I do think they can contend in the Big 12 this season and possibly reach a BCS bowl game if everything goes right.
BCS odds: 115 to 1 ($100 wins $11,500)
Ranked 13th best odds (Alabama favored at 3 to 1)
Big 12 Conference Title odds: 5 to 1 ($100 wins $500)
Ranked 3rd best odds (Texas is favored at 2 to 1)
The Golden Nugget in Las Vegas has released individual game spread lines for TCU games this season.
August 31st
LSU at TCU (+4) [Arlington,TX]
September 12th
TCU (-4) at Texas Tech
October 5th
TCU (+9) at Oklahoma
October 19th
TCU (+10) at Oklahoma St.
October 26th
Texas at TCU (+3)
November 2nd
West Virginia at TCU (-10)
November 9th
TCU (-9.5) at Iowa St.
November 16th
TCU (+4.5) at Kansas St.
November 30th
Baylor at TCU (-5)
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