OF ’HORNS & HORNED FROGS
TCU LOOKS TO BOUNCE BACK FROM OHIO ST. LOSS; TEXAS LOOKS TO BUILD ON UPSET OF USC
KEYS FOR TCU
Run the football: Texas’ win over USC was aided by the Trojans abandoning the run game. Some of that was good game planning and execution by the Texas defense, but some of it was simply giving up by USC. It’s hard to find success against a Todd Orlando led defense without balance. Prevent the big play: Texas will need the crowd and momentum to beat TCU. The best way to gain that momentum is through turnovers or big plays on special teams. Texas created a huge play against USC when Caden Sterns blocked a field goal and Anthony Wheeler returned it for a touchdown. The Texas offense lacks the ability to create many big plays. That’s good news for TCU, a program that rarely loses games that become a grind. KEYS FOR TEXAS
Forget the past: TCU has owned Texas. The Horned Frogs are attempting to win their fifth straight against Texas for the first time in program history. The Longhorn players and coaches are fully aware of the trend. Texas is also flying high after beating USC at home for Tom Herman’s first signature victory in Austin. None of that matters Saturday.
Get creative: It’s hard to imagine Texas shutting down the TCU offense. Patterson knows how to score against this Texas defense and has proved it over the past several years. Texas needs to score to stay in this contest and the Longhorns will need to be creative in the offensive attack. PREDICTION
TCU 34, Texas 27: The Horned Frogs have Texas’ number and the Longhorns are a year from matching the speed and depth TCU will bring to the field on Saturday. A great crowd and momentum carried over from the USC win will push Texas early, but the execution and talent at TCU wins out over four quarters.