Longhorns 2022 Opponent Preview: TCU
The Texas Longhorns will welcome the TCU Horned Frogs to Austin in Week 11. The Longhorns have dominated the all-time series leading 64-27-1, including last year's victory in Fort Worth.
The Longhorns continued their 2021 hot start with a 32-27 classic victory against rival TCU. That matchup saw Texas improve to 4-1 and running back Bijan Robinson run wild for a season-high 216 yards. This year the Horned Frogs enter the matchup undefeated at 9-0 overall and 6-0 in the Big 12.
Sonny Dykes is in his first season as Horned Frogs coach after coming from SMU. He is no stranger to Texas football and has shown in his first year how successful TCU can be. At SMU last year, the Mustangs finished 8-4, including a win against TCU.
The Horned Frogs have surpassed all 2022 expectations, as they not only chase the Big 12 title, but the College Football Playoff. TCU hopes to continue their Cinderella season and clinch a berth in Arlington for the Big 12 championship game. The Big 12 Media Poll had the Horned Frogs seventh in the conference before the season.
Be sure to stick with LonghornsCountry.com as we preview every aspect of the matchup with the Wildcats throughout the week.
TCU Horned Frogs
2021 Record: 5-7 (3-6 in Big 12)
Head Coach: Sonny Dykes
Offensive Scheme: Air Raid
Defensive Set: 3-3-5
Returning Starters on Offense: 7
The Horned Frogs have been elite all year on the offensive end. This includes senior quarterback Max Duggan, who has put up 24 touchdowns for 2,407 passing yards. The Horned Frogs have not scored less than 34 points in any game this season.
The Horned Frogs are led by star receiver Quentin Johnston, who has four touchdowns and 650 yards receiving. Running back Kendre Miller has answered the call with 12 touchdowns and 1,009 yards rushing, picking up the slack for former star running back Zach Evans, who transferred to Ole Miss.
Projected Offensive Starters:
QB: Max Duggan
RB: Kendre Miller
WR-X: Quentin Johnston
WR-Z: Quincy Brown
WR-SL: Derious Davis
TE: Geor'Quarius Spivey
LT: Marcus Williams
LG: Brandon Coleman
OC: Alan Ali
RG: Steve Avila
RT: Andrew Coker
Returning Starters on Defense: 5
The Horned Frogs defense in 2021 can only be described as a dumpster fire. Last season, TCU allowed 462 yards and 35 points per game. TCU ranked eighth in the Big 12 in pass defense and ninth in rush defense. For as good the offense was, the Horned Frogs defense continued to allow big plays resulting in a disappointing 5-7 season. TCU did fairly well in the transfer portal picking up key pieces in Tymon Mitchell from Georgia, interior pass rusher Caleb Fox from Stephen F. Austin and Lwai Uguak from UConn to help.
This season, the Horned Frog defense has been shaky at times allowing 27 points per game. TCU ranks about middle of the Big 12 pack in both rushing and passing yards allowed per game. The defense identity this season has been forcing turnovers, including 10 interceptions.
Projected Defensive Starters:
DE: Terrell Cooper
NT: Soni Misi
DE: Dylan Horton
WLB: Johnny Hodges
MLB: Jamoi Hodge
SLB: Dee Winters
CB: Noah Daniels
CB: Tre'Vius Hodges-Tomlinson
SS: Mark Perry
WS: Nook Bradford
FS: Bud Clark
You can follow Adam Glick on Twitter @adamglick39
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