Horned Frogs push for elusive Big 12 title
TCU has put together double-digit win seasons during three of the past four years.
While much of the attention has been focused on the offense, the Horned Frogs have delivered stellar performances on the defensive side of the football during that stretch including last season in which the team ranked first in the Big 12 in total defense.
Gary Patterson’s club has plenty of impact players, making them a threat in the Big 12. TCU is No. 20 in Orlando Sentinel college insider Matt Murschel’s preseason 2018 college football rankings. Murschel ranked all 129 Football Bowl Subdivision teams in the country. The Sentinel staff takes a closer look at a new team daily, counting backward from No. 129 to our projected No. 1 team. TCU Gary Patterson entering 18th year;
11-3, 7-2 in Big 12 Conference; finished second overall
It didn’t take long for TCU to wipe away any disappointment from a six-win 2016 season. The Horned Frogs came out the gates with a flurry, winning their first seven games including back-to-back wins over ranked opponents in Oklahoma State and West Virginia. The team rose as high as No. 4 in the Associated Press Top 25 ranking before dropping a hardfought 14-7 decision to Iowa State. That was followed by an embarrassing 38-20 loss to Oklahoma. TCU did manage to secure a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game but were again thrashed by the Sooners. 5 5 6
QB Kenny Hill, RB Kyle Hicks, WR John Diarse, WR Desmon White, LB Travin Howard, DB Nick Orr, DE Mat Boesen, DB Ranthony Texada
RB Darius Anderson, QB Shawn Robinson, WR Jalen Reagor, WR KaVontae Turpin, DE Ben Banogu, DE Ty Summers, LB Arico Evans, DB Ridwan Issahaku, DB Niko Small, DB Innis Gaines
For the second time since 2015, TCU has the unenviable task of identifying a new quarterback. Patterson won’t name Shawn Robinson his starting quarterback, but the coach did indicate the talented sophomore has an edge thanks to his versatility and familiarity with the offense.
Newcomer Justin Rogers is one of the highest-rated quarterbacks to sign with the program and his elusiveness provides an intriguing option for Patterson and the offense.
Darius Anderson led the team in rushing.
The defensive front returns a pair of all-conference performers in end Ben Banogu, who earned Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, and tackle Ross Blacklock, who earned co-Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Y ear honors.
The Horned Frogs return just over 40 percent of their production from last season at wide receiver.
The offensive line is the least-experienced group among the Big 12 schools with just two returning starters and 26 career starts back in 2018.
The TCU defense is talented enough to be one of the best units in the Big 12, which could be critical as the offense develops an identity with a new quarterback.