I also think it's a pretty big jump between going from what should have been a 5-7 season instead of 6-6 to competing for the conference championship based on the age of the players and nothing else. To tell you the truth there's nothing really telling me they will take a significant jump in their running game between last year and this season. If they stay healthy and keep their QB upright for once, they'll be good, but not TCU good.
You guys keep forgetting that Texas was a dick hair away from a huge upset against OU, and if not for a FG block return for TD against Baylor UT wins, and UT should've beat UCLA. My point is that TEXAS was this close to going 9-4 as opposed to 6-7. Add to this team some actual student athletes that WANT to play football (as opposed to Mack's recruits who liked being seen on 6th Street) and you've got a dangerous recipe.
I've been around UT football long enough to remember the "SHOCK THE WORLD TOUR" which was in '91 (I think?) when their first game was at #11 Penn State in which they went in there and won. This year sets up eerily similar. UT has SO MUCH better OL'men along with much more offensive talent.
And anyone that doesn't think Charlie Strong won't have an absolute beast of a defense is not thinking clearly.
I predict it goes:
OU
TEXAS
TCU
Baylor
West Virginia
Kansas State
Okie Lite
Tech
Iowa State
Kansas
I've been around UT football long enough to remember the "SHOCK THE WORLD TOUR" which was in '91 (I think?) when their first game was at #11 Penn State in which they went in there and won. This year sets up eerily similar. UT has SO MUCH better OL'men along with much more offensive talent.
And anyone that doesn't think Charlie Strong won't have an absolute beast of a defense is not thinking clearly.
I predict it goes:
OU
TEXAS
TCU
Baylor
West Virginia
Kansas State
Okie Lite
Tech
Iowa State
Kansas
You really need to seek help. I know of NO ONE who is picking Texas #2 in the Big 12. Even Texas homers know that they have no offense. Charlie is so screwed up that he cannot decide on a QB to play. Your post is about as homer as they get. It is really pathetic. Do you honestly think that Texas will have a better record than Baylor? If so, you should never post in here again. Only a person who is such a big homers that it has affected his mind would say that. Texas is crap. Period.
Game is in Morgantown...it seems like holgs and some asst coaches have osu number. They dominated them last yr and WVU is only better this yr...also, I don't see WVU going 0-4 in October unless you think they can win at Oklahoma, at bay, or at tcu....I do think they have a shot against Oklahoma this yr....no chance vs bay,or at tcu....it pretty much a circled game because WVU should be 3-1 or 4-0 coming into that game...lose it and your looking at a 4-4 start....I think this WVU team will be a surprise this yr...I'm not saying that they win th conference but I'm thinking the winner of Oklahoma/WVU game finishes in 3rd....
I think the best defense they will face is Minnesota. The Gophers allowed the fewest points to TCU of any team last year and that was at TCU. Ok St gave up 12 more to them at home. The Minnesota defense is returning seven starters including 3 db's, 2 lb's and 2 d lineman but one of the new guys was out last year and is projected to be their best lineman so essentially they have 3 returners. Minny lost to eventual National champ Buckeyes and Urban Meyer said that was the best defense they played against all year as the Bucks escaped with a 7pt win. Don't count the Gophs out of this one!
What type of pace do you think TCU will run this year with 10 returning starters on offense including QB Boykin? Looks like last year they were top 20 in pace and with everyone back I would expect them to play even faster this year. One of the things I try to be careful about when taking underdogs is the pace of their opponent. Its the teams like Baylor and Oregon who are both top 5 in pace, with their NASCAR offenses that can ruin your play in a hurry. Also, throw in the snub factor and considering that Boykin is one of the leading Heisman candidates make be a bit concerned about taking Minnesota as well. What if TCU jumps out to a 14 point lead, Minny is not really built to come back with quick scores so they may find that backdoor dead bolted.
Last year O St jumped out to a 14pt lead and Minnesota came back and tied it before O St scored 17 unanswered pts to which Minny countered with 10. Minnesota's strength is their defense, especially the dbacks who are athletic and fast. Now, I'll say they aren't as athletic and fast as TCU's WR's but they will hold their own. These guys won't quit for coach Kill. Minnesota also has a HUGE athletic offensive line that will control the line of scrimmage against TCU's dline and should have their share of time of possession. As you might expect, I'm taking the points and this could be a HUGE play for me to start the season which is rare. As most of you know, I'm not a homer either.
I can see both points of view on this game. On one hand TCU didn't play very well last year in their true road games. And they'll have to replace 6 studs on defense. On the other hand, many people are going to be looking at the Ohio State game last year in which Minny covered the spread and lost by 7, so they'll be tough at home.. But I watched all of that game, and OSU made about as many goofy mistakes as a team can make and still win. On top of that it was a cold game played in the wind and snow. I actually had Minny in that game, and I remember feeling very fortunate to have come out with a win. The problem I have with Minny this year is even though they may have the best OL in the Big 10, they have no skill players behind it. Which could be a problem if they can't score against what will be a fantastic TCU offense. Without the skill players I think Kill will keep it on the ground and try to play keep away for most of the game. When you give Patterson that much time to prepare (like the bowl game) his defenses can be tough, even with young players. They easily covered all 3 of their bye weeks last year. Minny may be able to cover if they can run, but my first thought on this game was to take the under. It's going to take 2 teams to get to this total. But I don't think Minny will be able to do their part.
TCU returns 10 players on offense and 6 on defense.
10 seniors on offense...1 junior.....Offense scored 562 points last season.
TCU +902 to win the championship.
10 seniors on offense...1 junior.....Offense scored 562 points last season.
TCU +902 to win the championship.
TCU returns just 5 on defense. And the 6 players they lost were studs. I think they are going to have more problems stopping people this year. Gun to my head, if I had to pick a winner of the Big 12 it would be Baylor because of what they return this year.. But it's going to be a close race because there will be so many big games played in November. It could end up being the survival of the fittest by the time it's over. All I can tell you is it's never easy catching lightning in a bottle two years in a row. TCU had a perfect storm of a schedule and season last year. It's going to be tougher this year..
Returning starters: 10 offense, 6 defense, 2 special teams
We`ll see how it shakes out at the end of the season.....Good luck this season!
Nope, 5 on defense according to Phil Steele. But on another one of my rosters I'm only seeing 4 returners. Carraway, Pierson, Tezada and Kindred. The good news for the Frogs is they only lose one starter off the defensive line. But they lose all of their starting LB's. That's going to be a problem...
