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This week’s game in Norman where the number 2 ranked Sooners host the TCU Horned Frogs is on everybody’s radar because TCU debuted in the top 25 this season after their blowout win against SMU. Both 
teams enter undefeated, but that is not surprising at this point in the season. Neither team has played a team as good as their opponent in this week’s game. The Sooners did have a nice win at Washington where they demolished the Huskies much like you would think they would beat them at home.
A lot of people know a lot about Oklahoma, but what about TCU? Coming into the 2007 season, the Frogs were a popular pick to be a BCS Buster. They returned DE’s Chase Ortiz and Tommy Blake along with LB Jason Phillips and their defense looked to be unstoppable after the 2006 season. However, they lost DT James Vess to suspension and had a young secondary, and the defense did not perform as well as people had hoped for. Much of the reason for that was the offense. Led by Redshirt Freshman Andy Dalton, the injury bug hit the backfield. Dalton, who was a first year starter, struggled early in the season and TCU struggled to keep the chains moving. Even though the offense eventually improved, the Frogs still ended the season with an uncharacteristic (under Coach Gary Patterson) 8-5 record.
Coming into the 2008 seaon, people outside of Fort Worth really did not know what to expect from the Frogs. How would the offense perform? What about the loss of Ortiz and Blake? The Frogs were able to develop depth at DE because Tommy Blake’s undisclosed medical issues caued him to miss several games and when he did return, he was out playing shape only able to play limited number of plays. Enter Matt Panfil and Jerry Hughes. These guys have been great for TCU early on. They also have some guys behind them who can play well.
On Defense the Frogs run a 4-2-5 scheme. That means they have 4 down lineman, 2 linebackers and 5 defensive backs. Along with Panfil and Hughes, the Frogs return Jame Vess and Cody Moore in the middle. The Frogs use several other players to add to the depth. At linebacker, the Frogs are led by Jason Phillips who was a Freshman starter on the 2005 team that beat Oklahoma. Along with Phillips, who is a workout warrior, is Robert Henson and Daryl Washington. Washington even got some reps at safety during Spring 
Practice, so he is a versatile player. Stephen Hodge is the Frogs’ leader at Safety. His position sometimes looks like a LB. Joining him at Safety is Steven Coleman, Tejay Johnson and Corderra Hunter. The CB’s are Rafael Prist and Nick Sanders.
On offense, TCU returns Andy Dalton from Katy, TX. Dalton has shown an ability to run as he has a touchdown run in 7 consecutive games. Junior QB Marcus Jackson usually sees playing time each game as the Frogs keep him game-ready. Jackson is probably more moble than Dalton, and he has tossed a couple of TD passes. Those two have some talented receivers to throw to. Jeremy Kerley is becoming a big play threat, either running or catching, for the Frogs. Jimmy Young is the team’s leading receiver, and the Frogs use several others to catch the ball including Bart Johnson and TE Shae Reagan. Along with Dalton in the backfield is do-everything back Ryan Christian who runs or catches out of the backfield. Also at RB is Joseph Turner who is a Doak Walker Award Candidate and Justin Watts. Turner is the big back who runs between the tackles for TCU. Returning last week for TCU is Aaron Brown who had 157 all purpose yards for TCU against SMU. Brown is a “home-run” threat every time he touches the ball.
The Frogs hold on to the ball for 37 minutes and 13 seconds which will be crucial against Oklahoma. They do that by running the ball well. The Frogs average 248.8 yards rushing per game for 4.8 yards per rush. No one Frog has more than 200 yards rushing this season, so it is definitely a run by committee approach. TCU is 56 % on 3rd down conversions which is one reason they keep the chains moving and control the clock. When the Frogs need to pass, they have been pretty good. They have a 63 % completion rate while averaging 174 yards per game passing. When in the Red Zone, the Frogs have scored 96 % of the time this year.
On defense the Frogs are giving up 7.8 points per game. The Frogs have held their opponents to 30.5 yards rushing per game and 152.5 yards passing per game. They have 14 sacks, 8 INT’s, 6 forced fumbles in which they recovered 5 and a blocked kick. The Frogs have only given up 5 Red Zone trips with opponents scoring 3 times.
Game time is 6 PM. It is being televised by the Fox Sports Network. As always, you can listen to it on the TCU/ISP Network with Brian Estridge.
For the latest on TCU football via blogs, check out SpitbloodTCU and Killerfrogs.com.
Photo Credit: Keith Robinson Photography
