TCU Horned Frogs
Overall Rank: #23
#3 Big 12
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TCU’s 2012 campaign was derailed when quarterback Casey Pachall left the team after four games. The Horned Frogs went 3-6 without him. Pachall, a 6-5 senior, is back and that provides hope to an offense that was terribly inconsistent without him. If there are no surprises again in 2013, TCU will be a contender in the Big 12.
2012 Record: 7-6, 4-5
2012 Bowl: Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl vs. Michigan State (L 16-17)
Coach: Gary Patterson (116-36 at TCU, 116-35 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Jarrett Anderson, Rusty Burns
Defensive Coordinator: Dick Bumpas
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: B.J. Catalon, RB, 582 yards
Passing: Trevone Boykin, QB, 2,054 yards
Receiving: Brandon Carter, WR, 590 yards
Tackles: Joel Hasley, LB, 79
Sacks: Devonte Fields, DE, 10.0
Interceptions: Jason Verrett, CB, 6
Other Key Returnees: QB Casey Pachall, WR LaDarius Brown, WR Cam White, C Eric Tausch, DT Chucky Hunter, CB Kevin White, S Chris Hackett, S Sam Carter, S Elisha Olabode, P Ethan Perry, K Jaden Oberkrom
Key Losses: RB Matthew Tucker, RB Audre Dean, WR Josh Boyce, WR Skye Dawson, OL Blaize Foltz, C James Fry, LB Kenny Cain, DE Ross Forrest, DE Stansly Maponga
Strengths:
TCU had the best total defense in the Big 12 last season and nine starters are back to make sure that happens again in 2013. End Stansly Maponga has run out of eligibility following another productive season, yet the talent on the line is immense. Devonte Fields led the Frogs with 10.0 sacks and 18.5 tackles-for-loss and he was just a freshman. Senior Jon Koontz is expected to man the other end spot. Chucky Hunter and nose tackle Davion Pierson are only getting better with experience. Linebacker Joel Hasley ranked second on the team in tackles as a sophomore and Marcus Mallet is ready to step into the other linebacker spot. If there is a potential problem with the defense, it is depth in the middle of the field. Meanwhile, the strength of the defense is in the five man secondary where every starter returns. Safeties Sam Charter, Elisha Olabode and Chris Hackett are among the best in the conference and cornerback Jason Verrett is among the best in the country. Verrett picked off six passes and broke-up 16 more. The team as a whole totaled an impressive 21 interceptions.
Weaknesses:
With Trevone Boykin under center for most of the 2012 season, the Horned Frogs did not dominate the turnover battle as much as they should have. That should change with Casey Pachall. Back in 2011, Pachall threw for 2,921 yards, 25 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. In his four appearances last year, he threw ten touchdowns and one interception. However, Pachall does have to find some new targets. Josh Boyce is gone after leading the team in receiving yards every season since 2010. Brandon Carter is capable of making big plays, yet finding a steady pass catcher to replace Boyce will not be that easy. Florida transfer Ja’Juan Story and returning players LaDarius Brown and Cam White are expected to help fill the void. The return of senior back Waymon James could boost the ground game. He was averaging nearly ten yards per rush early last season before suffering an injury. B.J. Catalon, who led the team with 582 yards yet never found the end zone on the ground, is also back. However, the overhaul and lack of depth on the offensive line could prevent the offense from reaching their potential.
The Bottom Line:
If it was not for an absolutely brutal schedule, TCU would be more than just a threat to win the Big 12 title. The defense is among the best in the country and the offense is loaded with potential now that Pachall and James are back. But the Horned Frogs season begins with a game against LSU in Arlington, Texas and they face Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Kansas State on the road. The game against the Sooners is in early October. If they fail to beat LSU and OU, this team will be 3-2 and off of the national radar a few days into October.
Projected Bowl: Alamo Bowl
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 152.08 (65th in nation, 8th in conference)
Passing Offense: 236.54 (61, 7)
Total Offense: 388.62 (72, 8)
Scoring Offense: 28.31 (66, 8)
Rushing Defense: 105.38 (10, 1)
Pass Defense: 218.54 (42, 4)
Total Defense: 323.92 (16, 1)
Scoring Defense: 22.62 (30, 2)
Turnover Margin: 0.23 (47, 4)
Sacks: 2.23 (47, 3)
Sacks Allowed: 2.23 (78, 10)
Madness 2014 NFL Draft Rankings:
#26 Jason Verrett
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