Alex Dunlap (1-2)
If Texas wins this one, I will not be shocked, but I'll be surprised. The reason is simple: Gary Patterson has the Horns' number until he doesn't. TCU wins easily.
TCU 42 - Texas 21
Geoff Ketchum (2-1)
I just think TCU is better than Texas. In a game that I expect to be competitive for a half, the class of a TCU team that might very well be one of the top 5-10 teams in America will prove to be in a different class over four quarters. Texas is going to need a big day from Sam Ehlinger because I'm not convinced that Texas will be able to run the football. In a game that will start slowly and heat up down the stretch, I think it's going to take 30+ points to beat TCU and I'm not sure the Longhorns can get there.
TCU 31 - Texas 17
Dustin McComas (2-1)
Last week's results for both teams make this game even more difficult to project, and so does the possibility of some ugly weather (will UT get another USC atmosphere?). How will Texas handle the high of beating USC at home by a large margin? Does TCU keep its mental edge after it likely feels a chance to make a national statement slipped away? Of course, there's 153-33 lingering too, and while every season is different, all these TCU players know is beating Texas and in dominant fashion.
On paper, this isn't a good matchup for the Longhorns. TCU, with a dual-threat quarterback and a great running back group, will likely test the UT defense like Maryland did, and has more speed. If the Horned Frogs get up early, Sam Ehlinger being forced to throw more will not be a recipe for success, and TCU's defense could create issues no matter the score or situation.
However, TCU currently rates as one of the worst special teams units in the country (106th) while Texas rates 16th. Combine that with the possibility, heck the likelihood, of Todd Orlando creating turnover chances against Shawn Robinson, and there's a chance Texas finds a lot of positive field position and some points from areas other than offense.
Texas needs to run the football early, often, and effectively to have a chance, and must avoid falling behind big early. I don't have enough confidence in it to do that and for Ehlinger to be the better QB against a tough defense. But I do believe this game will be a four-quarter affair.
TCU 28 - Texas 24
Anwar Richardson (2-1)
This game will determine if Texas is ready to challenge for a Big 12 title this season.
I can give you a list of reasons why Texas has a chance to win this game - improved offensive line play, solid run game - but this is TCU. It will take a huge leap of faith to predict a Texas victory against TCU, but I cannot hold that mustard seed right now. Seeing is believing when it comes to the Longhorns. Until we see Texas beat TCU, the safe money is on those other guys.
The only way Texas defeats TCU is by creating turnovers. If Texas can create turnovers, and capitalize on TCU's mistakes, the Longhorns have a chance to pull off the upset.
If Texas wins this game, every preseason goal set by this team is back on the table.
TCU 31 – Texas 24
Jason Suchomel (2-1)
Texas took a step forward last week in beating USC, but I’m still not sure how big of a step it was … I’m just not sold on the Trojans at all.
In comes TCU this week, a team that I feel is as good as any on UT’s schedule. Can Texas win? Absolutely. But I just can’t bring myself to predict a Longhorn victory.
TCU will make it tough for Texas to sustain drives, and I just think TCU’s big-play potential will be too much for the Texas defense to contain for four quarters. The Longhorns will probably need a big special teams play or some a turnover or two to win this one.
TCU 34 – Texas 24
QUARTER (3-0)
heads is always the home team
If Texas wins this one, I will not be shocked, but I'll be surprised. The reason is simple: Gary Patterson has the Horns' number until he doesn't. TCU wins easily.
TCU 42 - Texas 21
Geoff Ketchum (2-1)
I just think TCU is better than Texas. In a game that I expect to be competitive for a half, the class of a TCU team that might very well be one of the top 5-10 teams in America will prove to be in a different class over four quarters. Texas is going to need a big day from Sam Ehlinger because I'm not convinced that Texas will be able to run the football. In a game that will start slowly and heat up down the stretch, I think it's going to take 30+ points to beat TCU and I'm not sure the Longhorns can get there.
TCU 31 - Texas 17
Dustin McComas (2-1)
Last week's results for both teams make this game even more difficult to project, and so does the possibility of some ugly weather (will UT get another USC atmosphere?). How will Texas handle the high of beating USC at home by a large margin? Does TCU keep its mental edge after it likely feels a chance to make a national statement slipped away? Of course, there's 153-33 lingering too, and while every season is different, all these TCU players know is beating Texas and in dominant fashion.
On paper, this isn't a good matchup for the Longhorns. TCU, with a dual-threat quarterback and a great running back group, will likely test the UT defense like Maryland did, and has more speed. If the Horned Frogs get up early, Sam Ehlinger being forced to throw more will not be a recipe for success, and TCU's defense could create issues no matter the score or situation.
However, TCU currently rates as one of the worst special teams units in the country (106th) while Texas rates 16th. Combine that with the possibility, heck the likelihood, of Todd Orlando creating turnover chances against Shawn Robinson, and there's a chance Texas finds a lot of positive field position and some points from areas other than offense.
Texas needs to run the football early, often, and effectively to have a chance, and must avoid falling behind big early. I don't have enough confidence in it to do that and for Ehlinger to be the better QB against a tough defense. But I do believe this game will be a four-quarter affair.
TCU 28 - Texas 24
Anwar Richardson (2-1)
This game will determine if Texas is ready to challenge for a Big 12 title this season.
I can give you a list of reasons why Texas has a chance to win this game - improved offensive line play, solid run game - but this is TCU. It will take a huge leap of faith to predict a Texas victory against TCU, but I cannot hold that mustard seed right now. Seeing is believing when it comes to the Longhorns. Until we see Texas beat TCU, the safe money is on those other guys.
The only way Texas defeats TCU is by creating turnovers. If Texas can create turnovers, and capitalize on TCU's mistakes, the Longhorns have a chance to pull off the upset.
If Texas wins this game, every preseason goal set by this team is back on the table.
TCU 31 – Texas 24
Jason Suchomel (2-1)
Texas took a step forward last week in beating USC, but I’m still not sure how big of a step it was … I’m just not sold on the Trojans at all.
In comes TCU this week, a team that I feel is as good as any on UT’s schedule. Can Texas win? Absolutely. But I just can’t bring myself to predict a Longhorn victory.
TCU will make it tough for Texas to sustain drives, and I just think TCU’s big-play potential will be too much for the Texas defense to contain for four quarters. The Longhorns will probably need a big special teams play or some a turnover or two to win this one.
TCU 34 – Texas 24
QUARTER (3-0)
heads is always the home team
