TCU Football Week 7 Opponent Preview: BYU Cougars
Bad, meet worse. After back-to-back avoidable (and largely self-inflicted) losses to beatable opponents, the TCU Horned Frogs (3-3, 1-2) lost starting QB Chandler Morris reportedly for "awhile." Now TCU limps back home to host the BYU Cougars (4-1, 1-1), a team exceeding all expectations this season. A loss here likely sends the Horned Frogs spiraling to a finish – one that includes by far their most difficult test of the year.
BYU at TCU kicks off Saturday, October 14, at 2:30 p.m. CT at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Catch the broadcast on ESPN or on the radio at 88.7 FM KTCU.
Iowa State Cyclones defensive end Joey Petersen (52) takes down TCU Horned Frogs' quarterback Chandler Morris (4) during the first half in the Jack Trice Legacy Game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Ames, Iowa.
BYU vs. TCU Series History
Since first convening in 1987, TCU and BYU have a fairly-evenly split rivalry on hand. The Frogs own a 6-5 series edge thanks to four consecutive wins from 2008-11. During that time, the two teams shared membership in the Mountain West before TCU departed for the Big 12 and BYU opted for independence.
TCU took the first-ever meeting in Fort Worth with a 33-12 over LaVell Edwards' BYU Cougars (the coach for which their current football stadium holds the namesake). Edwards and the Cougars got their revenge the following season in Provo. This home-and-home series came just a few years after BYU claimed the 1984 National Championship.
The two played another two-game series in 1996 and 1997, with BYU winning both games handily. The '96 crew would eventually win the Cotton Bowl and finish the year 14-1 and ranked No. 5 under a QB by the name of Steve Sarkisian.
Aug 24, 1996; Provo, UT, USA, FILE PHOTO; BYU Cougars quarterback Steve Sarkisian (12) looks to throw against the Texas A&M Aggies at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Brouillet-USA TODAY NETWORK
BYU Players To Note
The BYU offense is led by a familiar name to college football fans over the past half-decade: former USC and Pitt QB Kedon Slovis. After his 14-0 Week 1 win over Sam Houston State, Slovis threw for multiple touchdowns in every game, posting a 4-1 record over the course of the season. Slovis' favorite target is Chase Roberts, who posted a season-best six receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown in their Week 5 win over Cincinnati.
BYU has been unable to run the football effectively this season. Their leading rusher, true freshman LJ Martin, has just 289 yards, albeit complemented with four scores. Exciting transfer back Aidan Robbins has been dealing with injury and was inefficient when playing at just 2.9 yards per carry.
Defensively, BYU has been exponentially better than last year. In 2022, the Cougars' Achilles heel was their defense, a bottom-20 unit nationally. This year, they've improved to 30th in points per drive. That's due large in part to new defensive coordinator Jay Hill, brought on from Weber State (just down the road from Provo).
Sep 29, 2023; Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Kedon Slovis (10) lines up at scrimmage against the Cincinnati Bearcats at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Sizing Up The Cougars
BYU enters this game with multiple advantages. The biggest is that they're coming off a bye week and have a major rest advantage, not playing since last Friday at home. Meanwhile, TCU returns home from their Saturday game at Iowa State. Morris' injury is also a major leg-up for BYU.
Many projected BYU would struggle in their first year in the Big 12. So far, they beat Cincinnati, but dropped a game at Kansas in which they allowed a season-worst 38 points. The Cougars do have an impressive win at Arkansas on their ledger.
BYU excels at passing the ball under Slovis. Outside of throwing two interceptions against Kansas, the veteran journeyman has been rock-solid, throwing 10 touchdowns as well. While he's completing just 59% of his passes, Slovis is posting his best yards per attempt since his breakout freshman campaign in 2019 at USC. He's a former three-star QB from Arizona who received multiple Power Five offers before landing with the Trojans.
While not spectacular in any one category, BYU defensively is very well-balanced. They also have forced more turnovers than they've committed (+0.8 margin per game is 19th-best) and they commit few penalties.
Kalani Sitake's crew is a well-coached team that's markedly improved defensively and won't often beat themselves.
Sep 16, 2023; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake during the second half against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. BYU won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent Rundown
Team: BYU Cougars
Record: 4-1 (1-1 Big 12)
Coach: Kilane Sitake (8th season)
Scoring Offense: 28.5 points per game (51st)
Scoring Defense: 24.0 points allowed per game (46th)
BYU 2023 Schedule
| Date | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|
Sept. 2 | Sam Houston State | W 14-0 |
Sept. 9 | Southern Utah | W 41-16 |
Sept. 16 | at Arkansas | W 38-31 |
Sept. 23 | at Kansas | L 38-27 |
Sept. 29 | Cincinnati | W 35-27 |
Oct. 7 | BYE | |
Oct. 14 | at TCU | |
Oct. 21 | Texas Tech | |
Oct. 28 | at Texas | |
Nov. 4 | at West Virignia | |
Nov. 11 | Iowa State | |
Nov. 18 | Oklahoma | |
Nov. 25 | at Oklahoma State |
TCU vs. BYU Game Info
- When: Saturday, Oct. 14, 2:30 p.m. CT
- Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, TX)
- TV: ESPN
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Visit Cougs Daily, BYU's FanNation site, to see what they are saying about the upcoming game with TCU.
