#19 TCU Horned Frogs Season Preview
By Editorial Staff
TCU’s has two NFL caliber linebackers. One of those linebackers is linebacker Tank Carder.
Offensive Outlook: TCU lacks a quarterback now that Andy Dalton is gone. Sophomore Casey Pachall made a few relief appearances as a backup when TCU was ahead by double digit points late in ball games. Pachall has better arm strength and size than Andy Dalton. The one thing with Pachall that I question at this point is how he will perform.
Now that Andy Dalton and left tackle Marcus Cannon are both gone this offense will rely heavily on balanced blocking ability of left guard Kyle Dooley. Dooley did a good job run blocking and should open up some running lanes for Ed Wesley. Wesley had 166 carries for 1078 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in 2010. Wesley will be expected to take more carries and more pressure off Casey Pachall in 2011.
Defensive Outlook: TCU’s defense runs a 4-2-5 defensive scheme. That is a defensive scheme with 4 defensive lineman, 2 linebackers, and 5 defensive backs. This is what most teams refer to as a nickel package where you have your two safeties and 3 cornerbacks including the nickel cornerback on the football field.
TCU may not have the defensive line that wows you this year. One thing they do have that will wow you is their linebacking core. Tanner Brock is a pure middle linebacker while Tank Carder can play outside linebacker in the 4-3 or middle linebacker in the 3-4. Brock and Carder can both stuff the run so well that they do not need a 7th or 8th man in the box when going up against the run. That may be why TCU is switching their defense this season so they can have an extra nickel corner as an 11th man on the field to contain the passing game.
Greg McCoy will be the teams #1 corner with sophomore Travaras Battle being TCU’s #2 corner. Battle saw a lot of action as a freshman so he can be the #2 corner covering #2 wide receivers. Tekerrein Cuba plays the nickel corner and nickel safety role as that extra secondary player on the field who contains slot receivers. This allows free safety Johnny Fobbs to line up like a center fielder free safety and intercept passes at will with the 3 corners playing one on one coverage with Cuba playing zone coverage now and then.
TCU’s defense can be picked apart because the defensive line is the achilles heal. You need a quarterback and a good offensive line to pick apart this TCU team because linebackers and secondary play appear to be the strong points.
Projected Record 9-3: I believe TCU will start the year off losing one of their first two road games to Baylor or Air Force. Robert Griffin is a dual threat quarterback plus Air Force has that option attack on offense so either one of those games could be a potential trap game for the Horned Frogs.
If the Horned Frogs go 2-0 they will be 10-2 with road losses to San Diego State and Boise State. TCU narrowly defeated San Diego State 41 to 35 at home. This year TCU does not have Dalton and they go to San Diego State. Meanwhile going to Boise State can always be tough for a team like TCU.