College Football Predictions – TCU Horned Frogs 2019 College Football Preview
2018 Recap
Record – 7-6
ATS – 6-7
We wouldn’t expect anything less from TCU.
The Horned Frogs suffered an insane amount of personnel attrition due to injuries and suspensions and could have quit on the season. Instead, they decided to keep fighting after a disappointing 4-6 start and won their final three games to finish up at 7-6. The Cheez-It Bowl victory over California wasn’t exactly a treat to watch (W 10-7) but a win is a win. They still lost five conference games and were just a shell of their recent selves.
Let’s see if TCU has what it takes to rebound and contend for a Big 12 Championship.
2019 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating
Big 12 – #4
TCU Horned Frogs 2019 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Horned Frogs were a disaster on offense last season and watched their scoring output drop by 10 PPG (!) (23.5 LY). The QB situation was a HOT MESS and they spent most of the season wondering who would be in and out of the lineup. Things have no choice but to improve but it’s still hard to know what to expect. Do they roll with Kansas St transfer Alex Delton? That’s the safe option. Do they take a shot with true freshman Max Duggan? Can someone else make a run at the starting gig during fall camp? Stay tuned. TCU has surprised us before at the QB spot so we are cautiously optimistic.
Whomever is under center will be pleased to know that AA WR Jalen Reagor is back to terrorize opposing secondaries. Reagor is coming off a 1,000-yard season in which he caught 9 TD passes despite getting all kinds of attention. The depth behind Reagor is a bit of a mystery. There is a fine collection of RBs to provide a balanced attack and Sweo Olonilua and Darius Anderson combined for over 1,200 yards on the ground a season ago. One thing to keep in mind is the unknown status of Olonilua who is facing drug charges as we go to press. That would be a significant hit to their depth at RB. To end on a light note, the OL looks to be one of the best in the Big 12 as they return all five starters and don’t forget that they only allowed 16 sacks last season (#1 Big 12).
The Horned Frogs will make a nice improvement this season and probably finish close to the 30 PPG mark.
DEFENSE
TCU has finished #1 in Big 12 total defense in each of the past two seasons (338 YPG LY). Things look promising once again even though the Horned Frogs only return five starters and one of their top eight tacklers. The Horned Frogs boast a great DT combo (Ross Blacklock, Corey Bethley) and that should effectively stop anyone from getting a consistent rushing attack going. That and an abundance of team speed on defense. The secondary boasts a pair of senior CBs including one of the best in college football in Jeff Gladney (13 PBU LY). Our primary concern is related to the pass rush as even though TCU has bagged 30+ sacks in six consecutive seasons, they lost lot of PENETRATION potential with the departure of two star defensive ends.
We project this to be one of the top-three defenses in the conference.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Color us a bit skeptical. All-universe return man KaVontae Turpin is no longer with the Horned Frogs, they need to find a new punter, and PK Jonathan Song only made 3/6 FGs from 30+ yards in 2018.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – Their non-conference slate has a couple of FREE SQUARES (Arkansas Pine Bluff, SMU) but also includes a tough road trip to Purdue. They have a four week stretch in November where they play three road games in four weeks. It’s also not beneficial that they have a pair of bye weeks before the middle of October and finish with games in seven consecutive weeks.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – Nothing comes to mind at press time.
Season Win Total
Over – 7.5 +110
Under 7.5 -130
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean to the over. They could head into Big 12 play with a 3-0 record and will be a much-improved squad.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
The Horned Frogs are one of only four FBS teams to have played in all six College Football Playoff Bowls, winning all but the Fiesta and Orange. Amaze your PECULIAR LANDLADY with that trivia nugget.
MEGALOCKS ATS Outlook: Neutral
TCU is only one of a handful of teams with a legitimate shot to get to the Big 12 Championship Game. They should be fine on offense but the QB situation is a bit of a mystery. There are a lot of new faces on defense but enough star power to make things work. Never forget. The Horned Frogs have six double-digit winning seasons in the last ten years. Not many programs can say that, yo.
TCU is slightly below .500 from an ATS perspective in the last ten years of the Gary Patterson era and it’s usually best to pick your spots with these guys. Their best role is as a road dog where they are an impressive 13-5 vs the number since 2009.
Want more TCU football ?
WEBSITE
http://www.gofrogs.com/sports/m-footbl/tcu-m-footbl-body.html
FORUM
http://www.thefroghorn.com/index.php?/forum/3-frog-horn-sports/
http://tcu.247sports.com/Board/TCU-Horned-Frogs-Message-Board-Forum-101445
https://tcu.forums.rivals.com/forums/hells-half-acre.6/
NEWS
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2628/tcu-horned-frogs
http://bleacherreport.com/tcu-football
https://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/tcu-horned-frogs
Hashtag – #GoFrogs
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