TCU Football: Keys to the Game, Week 5
Saturday, the Horned Frogs will square off against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Amon G. Carter Stadium. After their best performance of the season in a 34-17 victory over SMU, Sonny Dykes will want his team to put pedal to the metal and continue their winning ways.
The Frogs must dominate in each facet of the game to top the 3-1 Mountaineers.
Build upon last week's defensive performance:
The TCU defense put together, perhaps, their most complete performance of the season in the win over SMU last weekend. Not only did the defense look more like a well-oiled machine, but they played together, leaving minimal gaps open.
It all started with the pressure exerted from the defensive line. Putting pressure on Preston Stone, it forced him into hurrying and not going through each of his reads. Beyond that, the defense had a strong linebacker core. Without Johnny Hodges, who was absent due to a hand injury, Shadrach Banks stepped in and put forth a solid performance. One player who needs to be talked about is Namdi Obiazor.
Now a nickel linebacker, Obiazor transitioned from safety over the offseason. While his performance against Colorado to begin the season was lackluster, he has improved every week and ultimately generated his best performance this past weekend.
Dykes said, "I think it really helped him that he understands coverage. He understands how to play man-to-man coverage, he understands where the help is. He understands that part of the position better than guys that were trained as linebackers."
TCU Horned Frogs safety Bud Clark (21) and the Horned Frogs defense celebrate after Clark intercepts an SMU Mustangs pass during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
While Obiazor will continue to lead the linebacker core on Saturday, the secondary will also want to build upon its performance. Bud Clark and Josh Newton each got an interception against SMU.
The team must win the turnover battle against West Virginia, a team that can cause problems for both TCU's offense and defense.
Establish the running game:
With how Emani Bailey is rushing the football, it would be foolish not to continue to pound the running game. Bailey has 483 rushing yards through four games, averaging 120.75 per game. Surprisingly, Bailey has two touchdowns to his name, but he has been such an integral piece of the Horned Frog offense.
TCU Horned Frogs running back Emani Bailey (9) celebrates after he runs for a touchdown against the SMU Mustangs during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
In Saturday's game against SMU, he eclipsed the century mark for the third time this season, and he will hope to continue that against the Mountaineers. But the West Virginia defense is one of the best in the country, allowing only 109.8 rushing yards per game, further halting opponents to only 3.2 yards per carry.
Fortunately for the Frogs, they have an elusive backfield that also consists of Trey Sanders, who can play a massive role on Saturday.
Let Kendal Briles' offense do its thing:
Kendal Briles' offense showed out against SMU, and it will look to do so once again against West Virginia.
The most stunning part of the offense is how Chandler Morris has been able to spread the ball and find a variety of receivers. He has found 10+ different receivers in every game this season. His ability to spread the ball proves that TCU has one of the nation's deepest, most talented receiving cores.
Furthermore, TCU makes great use of its tight ends, especially Jared Wiley, who caught two touchdown passes against SMU. But one player that has the ability to grow into a more potent role is Chase Curtis.
TCU Horned Frogs tight end Chase Curtis (81) catches a pass for a first down against the SMU Mustangs during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
Playing second-fiddle to Wiley, Curtis is much more of a blocking tight end, but against SMU, he caught his first career touchdown pass in what was a designed play for him.
It will be crucial that Morris can spread the ball effectively on Saturday against West Virginia.
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Visit Mountaineers Now, West Virginia's FanNation site, to see what they are saying about the upcoming game with TCU.
