TCU Horned Frogs
Overall Rank: #14
#3 Big 12
TCU suffered through a rough 2018 campaign, finishing 7-6 overall and 4-5 in Big 12 play. There were some close losses, but a close loss to Kansas does not instill confidence in the program. If the Horned Frogs can find a quarterback, their defense played well enough down the stretch last season to get this team back in contention for a Big 12 title.
2018 Record: 7-6, 4-5
2018 Bowl: Cheez-It Bowl vs. California (W 10-7)
Coach: Gary Patterson (167-63 at TCU, 167-63 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Sonny Cumbie, Curtis Looper
Defensive Coordinator: Chad Glasgow
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Sewo Olonilua, RB, 635 yards
Passing: Mike Collins, QB, 1,059 yards
Receiving: Jalen Reagor, WR, 1,061 yards
Tackles: Garret Wallow, LB, 72
Sacks: Corey Bethley, DL, 5.0
Interceptions: Jeff Gladney, CB, 2; Julius Lewis, CB, 2
Other Key Returnees: RB Darius Anderson, WR Taye Barber, OL Lucas Niang, S Innis Gaines
Key Losses: QB Shawn Robinson, WR KaVontae Turpin, DE Ben Banogu, DE LJ Collier, LB Arico Evans, LB Jawuan Johnson, LB Ty Summers, S Ridwan Issahaku, S Markell Simmons
Offense:
TCU has a lot of options at quarterback. Mike Collins started four games last season and threw for 1,059 yards and six touchdowns. Kansas State transfer Alex Dalton brings the dual-threat capabilities that this team needs and he should be able to hold off Collins and a couple talented freshmen and emerge as the leader of the team. Jalen Reagor managed to catch an impressive 72 passes for 1,061 yards and nine touchdowns with an offense that struggled. He should be even better this year. Taye Barber was second on the team with 32 catches as a freshman and he is a dynamic playmaker who is always a threat to pick up some major yards after the catch. The ground game returns the senior duo of Sewo Olonilua and Darius Anderson. Those two combined to rush for 1,233 yards last season. The offense must be better this year, but the potential is there for this to turn into one of those dynamic TCU offenses that can score 40 points per game.
Defense:
The losses on defense are significant, but Coach Gary Patterson always reloads on that side of the ball. Ochaun Mathis and Adam Plant are promising freshmen and they will be asked to get to the quarterback consistently. The return of defensive tackle Corey Bethley and Ross Blacklock will help bolster the line. Garrett Wallow will be the leader of the linebackers after tallying 72 tackles last season. Senior Montrel Wilson is an experienced option to help replace the loss of an impressive linebacker corps that included Arico Evans, Jawuan Johnson and Ty Summers. The secondary has big holes to fill too, but they will also reload around shutdown corner Jeff Gladney and strong safety Innis Gaines.
The Bottom Line:
As long as the offense can score points, the defense will be good enough to keep TCU in every game on their schedule. The non-conference slate is manageable with games against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Purdue and SMU. However, that trip to Purdue could prove difficult against a Boilermakers offense that can score some points, especially while the Horned Frogs are still looking for new defensive playmakers.
Projected Bowl: Alamo Bowl
2018 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 156.6 (81st in nation, 7th in conference)
Passing Offense: 211.5 (87, 8)
Total Offense: 368.1 (98, 8)
Scoring Offense: 23.5 (106, 9)
Rushing Defense: 138.6 (34, 3)
Pass Defense: 199.6 (37, 1)
Total Defense: 338.2 (24, 1)
Scoring Defense: 23.1 (40, 2)
Turnover Margin: -0.38 (100, 8)
Sacks: 2.69 (27, 2)
Sacks Allowed: 1.23 (14, 1)
Madness 2020 NFL Draft Rankings:
#19 Jalen Reagor
