TCU Horned Frogs 2022 College Football Preview
July 25, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 5-7
ATS – 2-9-1
Things seemed to be rolling along in a decent fashion after the win over Texas Tech gave them a mark of 3-2, but they lost the next three games and pretty much cemented their fate of missing out on a bowl game. On a positive note, they were one of only two teams to take down the eventual Big 12 champs from Baylor (W 30-28). Trivia nugget, yo.
It’ll be strange seeing the Horned Frogs take the field in a season opener without legendary HC Gary Patterson but TCU made a strong hire in Sonny Dykes. Let’s go!
TCU Horned Frogs 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Horned Frogs left a lot of points on the table LY (28.7 PPG, #7 Big 12) considering that they ranked #29 in the FBS in rushing offense, #11 in passing efficiency, and #11 in 3rd down conversions (46%). TCU returns 10 starters on offense including crafty veteran QB Max Duggan and talented redshirt freshman QB Chandler Morris. A deep WR group should thrive in Dykes’ offense and they’ve got a legit star in Quentin Johnston to lead the way (19.2, 6 TD LY). Two of the top-three RBs return including the explosive Kendre Miller (7.5, 7 TD) and the room was bolstered by transfer portal additions. The OL features over 100 career starts and adds veteran Alan Ali from SMU. We anticipate TCU easily surpassing the 30 PPG mark in 2022.
DEFENSE
Yup, that was disgusting. The Horned Frogs were brutal on defense LY as they were #9 in the Big 12 in run defense as well as pass efficiency defense (thanks, Kansas!) and they only managed to book a paltry 15 sacks (#120 FBS). Eight starters are back in the fold and TCU made a good move by hiring former Tulsa DC Joe Gillespie who did fine work with the Golden Hurricane, and recall that Gillespie gave Dykes and his SMU Mustangs a hard time in AAC battles. There’s a small core of good players to build around in DE Dylan Horton (9 TFL, 4 QH LY), leading tackler LB Dee Winters, and 1st Team Big 12 member CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, and they’ll be supplemented by some talented transfer portal bodies. Look for much better numbers on defense.
SPECIAL TEAMS
This appears to be one of the best special teams groups in the Big 12 as they feature a solid kicking game in punter Jordy Sandy (40.5 net LY) and PK Griffin Kell (14-18 FG, 42-42 XP) along with dangerous PR/KR Derius Davis (KR TD LY).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – TCU has a legit shot at a 3-0 start before they open Big 12 play by hosting the mighty Sooners. The final three-game stretch is nasty (at Texas, at Baylor, Iowa St).
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – October 8th – at Kansas
SANDWICH alert, yo.
This game follows two emotional ones (at SMU – Dykes former team, Oklahoma) and precedes a date with Oklahoma St. We’ll likely avoid laying the road chalk in this spot.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline July 25
Over 6.5 -125
Under 6.5 -105
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
They probably need to win four or five Big 12 contests to hit the over. We think they GIT ER DONE.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
TCU hasn’t had a winning mark ATS in any FULL season since 2015. <6-3-1 during 2020 CASEDEMIC season>
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
Yes, guy.
TCU has the look of a team that can make big strides in 2022. The offense will be able to keep up with almost anyone and they just need an “average” year from the stop unit to give them a chance to SHOCK the WORLD. Logical longshot to upset the APPLE CART and make the Big 12 Championship Game. Let’s do ittttt!
Want more TCU football ?
WEBSITE
https://gofrogs.com/sports/football
FORUM
https://forum.killerfrogs.com/index.php?forums/-/list
http://tcu.247sports.com/Board/TCU-Horned-Frogs-Message-Board-Forum-101445
NEWS
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/tcu-horned-frogs/
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2628/tcu-horned-frogs