TCU PASS OFFENSE vs TEXAS PASS DEFENSE
Freshman Josh Hoover is expected to start. Hoover is always good with his preparation and he throws an accurate ball, but he is still a freshman. His biggest weakness has been that he’ll have spans where he can be erratic and his accuracy goes out the window. He’s thrown for 350 yards or more in two of his three starts, including 439 yards against BYU. But he’s also turnover prone, throwing 7 interceptions to go along with 7 touchdowns. JP Richardson is the team’s top receiver statistically. He was very good early in the season, but his production has dropped off a little. Savion Wiliams’ production has picked up the past few games. He’s not a guy who will take the top off a defensive but can be productive on early downs. Texas’ pass defense ranks 11th in the Big 12 and has had a bad habit of letting opposing QBs get hot. This feels like a game where TCU might throw the ball a ton and put up decent yardage totals.
Edge – TCU *
TCU RUN OFFENSE vs TEXAS RUN DEFENSE
The QB run game gets utilized some, but really it’s been Emani Bailey and not much else. TCU went into the season thinking it would use running back by committee, but Bailey has taken the reins and not looked back. Trey Sanders and Trent Battle haven’t played a ton. True freshman Cam Cook is a guy who might start playing a bit more down the stretch if they don’t want to redshirt him. Bailey is very good, ranking fourth in the conference in rushing, but Texas’ run defense has been superb.
Edge – Texas *
TCU OFFENSIVE LINE vs TEXAS DEFENSIVE LINE
This could be a key matchup. TCU’s interior offensive line has really struggled. It’s probably the biggest weakness on the team, and that doesn’t bode well when facing UT’s interior defensive linemen. John Lanz and Colton Deery, at center and left guard, have graded out terribly. It’s just not a very strong offensive line, especially in the middle, that the Texas defensive line should be able to exploit.
Edge – Texas ***
TEXAS PASS OFFENSE vs TCU PASS DEFENSE
It’s the second year in Joe Gillespie’s system. TCU had seven guys coming back and four were in the secondary. Despite that experience, the pass defense has been lacking quite a bit compared to expectations. Statistically, TCU is middle of the pack in pass defense but offenses have been able to hit the defense up for big plays. The safety play has been down. Corner Josh Newton is a good player but opposite him, you really don’t know what you’re going to get. Texas’ passing game might get a boost this week with the return of Quinn Ewers.
Edge – Texas **
TEXAS RUN OFFENSE vs TCU RUN DEFENSE
Two weeks ago, Kansas State lit TCU up with 343 yards on the ground. Last week, Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks ran the ball well in going for 146 yards. The linebackers haven’t played particularly well in the 3-3-5 scheme TCU employs. The Horned Frogs missed a staggering 25 tackles last week against Texas Tech. The should be a game where Texas runs wild.
Edge – Texas ***
TEXAS OFFENSIVE LINE vs TCU DEFENSIVE LINE
Damonic Williams at nose tackle is solid, but TCU is weak at defensive end. Caleb Fox, a D-end transfer from SFA, has notched a couple of sacks. Paul Oyewale on the other side looks like a physical freak but he hasn’t produced a ton this year with three sacks. TCU just doesn’t have a consistent threat to get to the quarterback.
Edge – Texas **
SPECIAL TEAMS
TCU’s special teams have not been good. In fact, they’ve been pretty much terrible, so bad that TCU fans want the special teams coach fired on a weekly basis. The Horned Frogs returned a lot of players from last year, but that experience hasn’t helped. Griffin Kell is a fifth-year senior but is having the worst year of his career, making just 11 of 18 field goal attempts. TCU hasn’t covered kicks well, has had some punts blocked. Just about every phase of the special teams has had a miscue that has helped TCU lose a game.
Edge – Texas ****
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