The Horned Frogs are coming off an 11-2 season with a Poinsettia Bowl win over favored Boise State Broncos. Coach Patterson and the Horned Frogs finishing second in the MWC last season behind Utah besides putting up extraordinary statistics. TCU finishing second in the conference in scoring offense, first in pass defense, rush defense and second in total offense.
Andy Dalton will be returning at Quarterback for the Horned Frogs in ’09 and he will have most of his supporting cast from last seasons monstrous year. Dalton is a dual threat as he is already second in school history with passing yards and completions and also can run. He scored eight times with his feet last season. Their leading rusher, Joseph Turner, will be returning in the backfield. He led TCU with 577 yards on the ground last season and found the end zone 11 times. A nice compliment to Turner will be Ryan Christian who can act as a receiver out of the backfield.
TCU returns all but one of their receivers, which collected over 2,600 yards and combined for 14 touchdowns. Jimmy Young will be Dalton’s go to guy who recorded a team-best 988 receiving yards last season with 59 receptions. The line is very solid, experienced and should provide excellent protection for Dalton and company.
The defense, which was the Horned Frogs strong point last season, will only be returning five starters. The defense was ranked no.1 in the nation only allowing 11.1 points per game, and 47.1 rushing yards a game. Defensive end, Jerry Hughes, will be leading the defense along with Daryl Washington who knows how to stop the run
The secondary will be very strong with the return of Rafael Priest, Nick Sanders and safety Tejay Johnson. This group brings a lot of experience, talent and speed. Priest and Sanders have started every game for the past three seasons and they will be key in the success of the Horned Frogs.
TCU will have their work cut out for them this season as the play at Virginia and Clemson early on in the season. If they can show that a MWC team can play with the big boys, the Horned Frogs could have a good shot at a BCS game this season.
’09 Prediction: 11-1