TCU won 11 or more games six times between 2005 and 2011 and it even produced a perfect record in 2010, going 13-0 after beating Wisconsin 21-19 in the Rose Bowl. Last year brought changes, though, as the switch to the Big 12, coupled with the loss of 13 starters, led to an uncharacteristic 7-6 finish for the Horned Frogs. Most pundits are expecting a better result this season with the return of 16 starters, a number that includes previously suspended quarterback Casey Pachall. 2013 College Football Predictions from offshore bookmaker 5Dimes have TCU listed as a fourth pick to win the 10 team Big 12 (+395 odds) and it is favored to win Over eight games at -145 odds ($145 wins $100).
TCU scored wins over Baylor and Texas last season, but surprising losses to Iowa State and Texas Tech were just part of the reason Gary Patterson's crew ended up seventh in the Big 12 standings with a 4-5 conference record. Those two setbacks were influenced in no small part by the loss of quarterback Casey Pachall. Pachall missed the final nine games of the season after being arrested for suspicion of drunken driving. The Horned Frogs were 4-0 prior to his departure as he threw 10 touchdowns to one interception in wins over Grambling State, Kansas, Virginia, and SMU.
Pachall's return is a great development for TCU; however, the team's 2013 schedule is not. The Horned Frogs face LSU in non-conference play and their conference slate includes road meetings with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State. The Golden Nugget has TCU lined as an underdog in each of those games and it is getting 7.5 and nine points against the Sooners and Cowboys, respectively.
TCU Horned Frogs 2013 College Football Predictions:
TCU Odds to win the 2014 BCS National Championship +10000
TCU Odds to win the Big 12 Championship +395 (four of 10)
TCU Regular Season Wins: Over 8 (-145), Under 8 (+115)
2013 Schedule with LVH and Golden Nugget Early College Football Game Lines:
8/31 LSU (Golden Nugget: TCU +4.5)
9/7 Southeast Louisiana
9/12 at Texas Tech (Golden Nugget: TCU -4, LVH: TCU -6)
9/28 SMU
10/5 at Oklahoma (Golden Nugget: TCU +7.5, LVH: TCU +7)
10/12 Kansas
10/19 at Oklahoma State (Golden Nugget: TCU +9, LVH: TCU +7)
10/26 Texas (Golden Nugget: TCU +3, LVH: TCU +2.5)
11/2 West Virginia (Golden Nugget: TCU -10.5)
11/9 at Iowa State (Golden Nugget: TCU -10.5)
11/16 at Kansas State (Golden Nugget: TCU +2.5, LVH: TCU -2.5)
11/30 Baylor (Golden Nugget: TCU -7, LVH: TCU -8)
CFB Free Picks: SEC National Title Chances
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