TCU Horned Frogs
Overall Rank: #2
#1 Big 12
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TCU suffered the ultimate disappointment on selection Sunday. The College Football Playoff Selection Committee moved the Horned Frogs from third to sixth in the final rankings. Despite the bitter disappointment, TCU did not let it affect their play in the Peach Bowl as they made a resounding statement to the nation in a 42-3 demolition of Ole Miss. Seventeen starters return in 2015, including quarterback Trevone Boykin and the Horned Frogs are loaded. They will be looking to leave no doubt with the College Football Playoff Selection Committee in 2015.
2014 Record: 12-1, 8-1
2014 Bowl: Peach Bowl vs. Ole Miss W (42-3)
Coach: Gary Patterson 132-45 at TCU, 132-45 overall
Offensive Coordinator: Sonny Cumbie and Doug Meacham
Defensive Coordinator: Chad Glasgow and DeMontie Cross
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Aaron Green, RB, 922 yards
Passing: Trevone Boykin, QB, 3,901 yards
Receiving: Josh Doctson, WR, 1,018 yards
Tackles: Derrick Kindred, S, 80
Sacks: Mike Tuaua, DE, 5
Interceptions: Derrick Kindred, S, 4
Other Key Returnees: WR Kolby Listenbee, DT Davion Pierson, CB Ranthony Texada, LT Hala Vaitai, LG Jamelle Naff, C Joey Hunt, RG Brady Foltz, K Jaden Oberkrom
Key Losses: LB Paul Dawson, LB Marcus Mallett, CB, Chris Hackett, DT Chucky Hunter
Strengths:
With a full year under his belt in this air raid offense quarterback Trevone Boykin should only get better and be a legitimate threat to throw for nearly five thousand yards. Aaron Green is back at running back and will be a nice change of pace offensively to keep opposing defenses off balance. Josh Doctson will anchor a deep wide receiver corps. Doctson adjusted nicely to the pass oriented scheme and had over 1,000 yards receiving in 2014. Four of the five starters return along the offensive line and that continuity alone should allow for the offense to not miss much of a beat at the beginning of the season. Defensive tackle Davion Pierson will lead the way up front along the defensive line. With defensive end Mike Tuaua, the Horned Frogs are always going to be tough to deal with along the defensive front. Derrick Kindred is the best returning playmaker in the secondary and will be looking to build off his four interception season in 2014.
Weaknesses:
Linebacker is going to be a concern as the top two leading tacklers from 2014, Paul Dawson and Marcus Mallett, are gone due to graduation. Freshman Mike Freeze and junior Sammy Douglas are excellent athletes but neither one has started a game so it will be very interesting to see how quickly they can step up their play at linebacker. The other big thing that will be interesting to watch is to see how TCU responds with a target on its back. They won’t be able to sneak up on anyone this season. The maturity of this team is going to have to rise to the forefront in order for them to get through the Big 12 season and win a championship.
The Bottom Line:
Schedule wise the Horned Frogs will have a fun test in the opener as they make a trip up to Minnesota to take on a Golden Gophers team that has been steadily getting better under the direction of head coach Jerry Kill. A fast start to take the crowd out of the game is going to be vital for TCU if they are to win that one. The conference schedule should allow for the Horned Frogs to get off to a fast start as most of the tougher games are toward the end in November. On November 7th, a trip to Stillwater looms and a trip to Norman to play Oklahoma awaits on November 21st before getting Baylor at home on November 27th. If the Horned Frogs go 3-0 in those games they should be a stone cold lock for the playoffs this season. If they go 2-1, which is the most likely scenario, it will depend on who the loss is against on the road between Oklahoma State and Oklahoma. Bottom line, if this team stays healthy, they should find their way into the College Football Playoff this season.
Projected Bowl: Cotton Bowl (Playoff)
2014 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 206.8 (34th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 326.2 (7, 3)
Total Offense: 533.0 (5, 2)
Scoring Offense: 46.5 (2, 2)
Rushing Defense: 108.8 (9, 2)
Pass Defense: 233.0 (75, 4)
Total Defense: 341.8 (18, 1)
Scoring Defense: 19.0 (8, 1)
Turnover Margin: 1.38 (3, 1)
Sacks: 3.08 (11, 1)
Sacks Allowed: 1.77 (42, 3)
Madness 2016 NFL Draft Rankings:
#59 Josh Doctson
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