By Daniel Durany, Dfwfootball.net

TCU will be starting the upcoming football season ranked #6 according to the Associated Press. The top 5 teams from the AP Polls are Alabama, Ohio State, Boise State, Florida and Texas. This is the highest pre-season ranking in school history. TCU’s previous pre-season high was #7 during the 1956 AP polls. Last year, the Horned Frogs became the Mountain West Conference champions as they finished 12-1 overall, 8-0 in the conference. Their only loss coming to hands of the Boise State Broncos in Bowl Championship Series (BCS) Tostitos Fiesta Bowl. They finished in top-10 for second straight season and third time in the last five years.

With all the accolades accomplished last year by the Horned Frogs, they still know there is unfinished business to get done. This year’s unfinished business is to win the national championship. The Horned Frogs average over 450 yards a game ranking them in top 10, while averaging nearly close to 240 rushing yards a game ranking them fifth nation, and averaging over 38 points a game. What scary about this offense is number of players returning for this year. TCU’s returns four lineman, three receivers, two running backs and quarterback. Balance is the key to the success on offense. They had four players who rushed for over 500 yards which includes quarterback, Andy Dalton rushing 512 yards. Dalton’s 29 wins ties Sammy Baugh for the most school wins in school history. He threw for 2,756 yards, completing nearly 62 percent of his passes with 23 touchdowns. Click here to read more »

There is a big game tonight in Fort Worth, TX between the 8th ranked BYU Cougars and the TCU Horned Frogs.  Collegefootballtopten.com will be live blogging during the game tonight.  If you’re going to be watching the game from home, log on to Collegefootballtopten.com to join in the conversation.  My big question, since the Andy Dalton question has already been answered, is, “will the Frogs make use of the “wild frog” tonight?  The “wild frog,” which we named here at Collegefootballtopten.com and in an article I wrote for PegasusNews.com, is a formation where Jeremy Kerley, who played QB in high school, lines up as a QB in the shotgun formation and runs the zone read.  I am sure TCU has other options for him out of the set.  I can see it being a real “change of pace” at just the right time.

Tuesday night at the Gary Patterson Show at the Railhead Smokehouse in Fort Worth, I had Brian Estridge to ask Coach Patterson about if the Frogs have a name for the Kerley package and if TCU was going to use it more.  First, Patterson liked the “wild frog” name for the Kerley package, and second he said that they would be using the package more.  This is the right time to use it.  I think the perfect time is when the Frogs have a short field and want to take advantage of getting points.  It could likely confuse the defense and TCU could score before they really knew what was going on.  We’ll keep an eye out to see if TCU uses the “wild frog.”

By the way, if you are ever in Fort Worth, you should check out the Railhead Smokehouse for some of the best BBQ in the country, certainly in Texas.  My friend Manny will take care of you.  Of course, during the week the Railhead hosts the Gary Patterson Show, and it’s a lot of fun to grab some BBQ and watch the show live.  The next show will be on October 29, 2008.

Heading into the last week of preseason practices before the college football season starts, the three DFW teams are started to take shape.  Some questions have been answered and surprises have been revealed.

All three of the DFW teams, the TCU Horned Frogs, the SMU Mustangs and the UNT Mean Green have announced their starters for the first game.  In Fort Worth, coaches still insist that it is Andy Dalton at 1A and Marcus Jackson at 1B.  Gary Patterson has always done a good job of having two QB’s ready, but this year he has really outdone himself.  While Dalton will be the starter, Jackson has and will receive playing time.  The Frogs have two QB’s ready to play with extensive playing experience.

In Denton, UNT announced, just days after its first practice, that Sophmore Giovanni Vizza will start at QB in the first game against Kansas State.  This might come as a bit of a surprise to some who were penciling in Coach Dodge’s son and Freshman Riley Dodge as the heir apparent.  With a second QB an upperclassmen, who has the single game passing record for UNT, Dodge might be ordering a redshirt for his son.

Finally, at SMU, where the stars come to watch practice, Head Coach June Jones and his staff announced earlier this week that Freshman Bo Levi Mitchell from Katy (TX) will start in the opener, a big show in Houston against Rice.  This is also somewhat of a surprise as the record holding QB Justin Willis returns for his Junior year.  However, many know that Willis was suspended in the spring missing Spring Practice.  The SMU staff sited accuracy and knowledge as the main reason,  Furthermore, second team QB is Freshman Braden Smith of Rockwall.  The future begins now in Dallas.  Willis, however, is hanging around.

I have a hunch.  Call it a hunch because it may not be worth much.  I have a hunch that we will see TCU light it up on offense this year.  Not only that, but I have a hunch that Andy Dalton will pass for 3000 yards.  It’s just a hunch.  I have no real empirical evidence.  The Horned Frogs have always been fairly balanced in the Gary Patterson era, but a little more to the run (See Hobbs, Tomlinson, and Merrill).  Dalton is a good passer, and while we won’t accuse TCU of running a Spread Offense, we just might see it be much more explosive this year.  Therefore, I offer my Top Ten Reasons TCU’s Offense Will Be (More) Explosive in 2008.

10.  Blake Schlueter–For the Frogs, it all starts up front.  Don’t underestimate his importance.  He is the QB of the Offensive Line which returns 4 starters.  He makes all the calls.  And, he is the first guy to touch the ball.  Have you seen this guy?  I wouldn’t want him to be upset with me.

9.  Aaron Brown–If Brown is healthy, he has the ability to have over 1500 all purpose yards.  As a

Keith Robinson Photography

Sophomore he had 1256 yards.  Brown is not just a great back on the edge, he is a great receiver out of the backfield.  All you have to do with Brown is get him the ball in space and he can make plays.  I can envision Brown lining up in the slot with Joseph Turner in the backfield along with And Dalton.  Who would the defense focus on?

8.  Young Receivers–The receivers are young, but they are fast.  They also are carrying a little bit of a swagger into fall practice.  These receivers did play last year even though they were not starters.  Walter Bryant, Jimmy Young, and Jeremy Kerley will be looking to make a big impact.  Also pay attention to Bart Johnson, John Brown and Antoine Hicks.

7.  Marshall Newhouse–If Dalton is to pass for 3000 yards, it will be up to Newhouse to keep him upright.  Newhouse led TCU in Knockdowns last year.  He also will be Dalton’s first line of defense at the Left Tackle spot.

6.  Jason Phillips–If I practiced against a Jason Phillips led defense in practice every day, I’d probably get better too, and faster.  There is another plus too.  The TCU defense has the ability to get lots of turnovers.  In fact, in the Spring practices, the defense focused on that (see Dave Campbell’s Texas Football).  If they aren’t getting turnovers, then they will surely be getting stops giving the TCU offense plenty of opportunities.

5.  Randy Galloway–What other sports journalist could inspire that kind of success?  Galloway is a legend.  If Coach Patterson needs tips, all he has to do is call Galloway and he will lend him a hand.  He is always thinking about ways to improve each local team with his brilliant mind.  Who else would I list, Dale Hanson?

4.  Marcus Jackson–During the Gary Patterson era, TCU has always needed a second QB.  First it was Tye Gunn, then it was Brandon Hassell, and then it was Jeff Ballard.  Jackson doesn’t just represent that good second QB, but he also represents a change of pace.  Jackson is a better runner, and TCU can line up and run the option with him in the game.  Jackson has also been a fairly accurate passer.

3.  Shae Reagan–At 6-4 261 lbs., Reagan provides a big target for Dalton and Jackson.  If Reagan can remain healthy, he should be a mismatch in almost every situation.  Reagan has a TCU high of 19 yards per catch.

2.  Coach Mike Schultz–Coach Schultz has been a great Offensive Coordinator for TCU.  His offenses have been among the best in TCU history.  Coach Schultz offenses do not remain ineffective, and Schultz seems to have the players to work with to make this year’s offense explosive.

1.  Andy Dalton–Dalton set all kinds of records for TCU freshmen, and he is poised to become even better.  He had over 2400 yards passing, and became increasingly effective as a passer later in the season.  Many of the INT’s Dalton suffered were during the first half of the season, and Dalton had a great game at Stanford when he passed for 344 yards, 2 TD’s and 0 INT’s.  If TCU’s offense is to be explosive, Dalton will have to be the catalyst.

For the Horned Frogs offense to improve on the 26.1 points per game, the Frogs will have to be lead by So. QB Andy Dalton.  Dalton was the Texas Bowl MVP last year and Honorable Mention Freshman All American by the Sporting News in 2007.  Dalton managed the TCU offense with increasing efficiency ending the year with 2459 yards passing with 10 TD’s and 11 INT’s as well as 232 yards rushing.  Dalton’s TD/INT ratio has to be better, but last year Dalton threw just 2 INT’s in his last 96 attempts.

TCU also needs to have its two best running backs healthy for 2008.  Sr. Aaron Brown returns from injuries which slowed him last season and looks to return to the form that he had his Sophomore season where he generated 1256 yards of total offense (801 yds. rushing, 455 yds. receiving).  The Frogs are also hoping that Jr. Joseph Turner (597 yards, 6 TD’s) will be healthy and ready to go in the fall.  Turner is a big, powerful back that complements Brown’s style of speed and receiving out of the backfield.  Turner has the bulk to run between the tackles and has a career average of 5.48 yards per carry.  Both backs have the luxury of running behind an experienced line as 4 of 5 starters return.  The Offensive Line is anchored by Sr. C Blake Schlueter (6-3, 272) and Jr. LT Marshall Newhouse (6-3, 317).  Schlueter was a 2007 Second Team All Mountain West selection and currently on the Rimington Trophy Watch List which is awarded to the nation’s top center.  Newhouse was an Honorable-mention All Mountain West selection in 2007.

Dalton’s options became a little more limited at receiver when it was announced that TCU receiver Donald Massey would not return this fall.  Also gone is last year’s leading receive Ervin Dickerson who was a Sr.  However, Dalton returns receivers Walter Bryant (27 rec. , 337 yds), Jimmy Young (23 rec., 325 yds.), and Jeremy Kerley (9 rec., 97 yds).  In addition, Aaron Brown (24 rec., 161 yds.) is a great receiver out of the backfield and RB/WR Ryan Christian (18 rec., 139 yds.) is a versatile player who is a capable receiver either out of the backfield or in the slot.  Finally, Sr. Shae Reagan is a big play TE who has a career average of 19.7 yards per catch.

With the presence of a balanced attack and a more experienced QB, TCU is primed to have an explosive season on offense.  Dalton came up big on the road at Stanford last year when he was 23 for 34, 344 yards, 2 TD’s and no INT’s.  Dalton has the ability to play under center or out of the shotgun.  And, with a healthy backfield to keep the offense balanced, we may see even more passing yards from Dalton in 2008.

You can learn more about TCU Football at Gofrogs.com.

According to Phil Steele, SMU’s schedule ranks #82, ahead of neighbors UNT (#92) and TCU (#84).  If you consider their opponents’ winning percentage, then SMU is ranked #53.  SMU plays 8 teams in 2008 who went to a bowl game in 2007.  That’s not an easy start for the June Jones era in Dallas.  Also on tap for SMU is a trip to Lubbock to face a team some are giving preseason buzz to for a run at the Big Twelve Title and maybe greater.  Without further ado, here is SMU’s schedule.

@ Rice, August 29, 2008, 7 PM
Only once did Rice hold a team to less than 29 points, and that was FCS Nicholls State.  Rice will be looking to get better on defense, but the offense returns 9 starters.

Texas State, September 6, 2008, 7 PM
The Bobcats are a member of the Division I Football Championship Subdivision (you know, IAA), and this should be a good game for the Mustangs to work out some kinks before they go to Lubbock.

@ Texas Tech, September 13, 2008 6 PM
Texas Tech returns their top offensive play-makers, QB Graham Harrell and WR Michael Crabtree who is from Dallas.  Crabtree and Harrell both should be on most people’s Heisman list.  Most people refer to Coach Mike Leach’s Air Raid offense as a spread, but it contains elements of the Run and Shoot.  In the Air Raid, one can see where the Spread meets the Run and Shoot.

TCU, September 20, 2008, 7 PM
With 14 starters back, the Frogs appear headed for another bowl game.  The offense should be much better as it improved under the guidance of Andy Dalton.  Dalton became TCU’s primary weapon at times last year with the injuries to RB’s Joseph Turner and Aaron Brown.  Both backs seem to be back and ready to go.  Defense is led by Jason Phillips and Stephen Hodge and should be another stellar TCU defense.

@ Tulane, September 25, 2008, 7 PM
The Green Wave return 15 starters from a team that was 4-8.  Gone is Tulane’s number two Career Rushing Leader, Matt Forte, who ran for 2127 yards and 23 TD’s in 2008 including 342 against SMU.  The Green Wave return 4 of their 5 top tacklers from a year ago.

@ UCF, October 4, 2008, 2:30 PM
After rushing for 2567 yards and 29 TD’s, UCF’s Kevin Smith entered the draft, and the feature back duties will be in someone else’s hands.  The Knights won last year’s C-USA title beating Tulsa in the Championship Game 44-25.  UCF returns their top 7 tacklers from 2007 and a total of 9 starters on defense.  The offense will spend its time trying to find an identity with the departure of Smith and QB Kyle Israel.

Tulsa, October 11, 2008, 7 PM
Tulsa had basically the best offense in the country last year with about 543 yards of total offense per game. It should be a battle against one of the best hurry up, no huddle, Spread Offense gurus, Offensive Coordinator Gus Malzahn at Tulsa, versus the premier Run and Shoot Offense guru, June Jones from SMU.  First team 60 wins.

Houston, October 18, 2008, 7 PM
The Cougars had another good year in 2007 going 8-5 earning Coach Art Briles a shot at being the head coach at a BCS program, Baylor.  Replacing him is Kevin Sumlin who was Co Offensive Coordinator at Oklahoma.  Summlin brought with him Dana Holgorsen from Texas Tech to create a high octane attack of his own.  Holgorsen and Sumlin inherit QB Case Keenum who is a natural play-maker for the Cougars.  Houston returns 7 on a defense that gave up just 366 total yards per game.

@ Navy, October 25, 2008, 2:30 PM
In Paul Johnson’s final year as head coach, Navy was the best among the service academies (5 straight) defeating Air Force (31-20) and Army (38-3) along with the long awaited victory over Notre Dame (46-44, 3 OT).  Johnson moved on to Georgia Tech, and now Navy will turn to Ken Niumatalolo.  His defense should be solid returning 8 starters, but they need to improve after giving up 36.4 points per game and 439 total yards per game.  Niumatalolo doesn’t have to replace QB Kaipo-Noa Naheaku-Enhada who accounted for 1786 total yards and 20 TD’s.

Memphis, November 8, 2008, 2 PM
The Tigers have big holes to fill at QB and RB.  If they can find someone to get the ball to their WR’s, Memphis could be a surprise contender.  The WR’s are deep and talented, but the Tigers have to find a help as they lose Martin Hankins (3220 yards, 25 TD’s) and RB Joseph Doss (806 yards, 5 TD’s).  On defense, Memphis returns 8 starters including 4 of their top 6 tacklers from a year ago.

@ UTEP, November 15, 2008, 8:05 PM
Last year the Miners were 4-8, and in 2008 they return 5 starters on offense and 7 starters on defense.  Returning QB Trevor Vittatoe passed for 3101 yards with 25 TD’s and only 7 INT’s.  Vittatoe will need all the help he can get as the top two RB’s from last year are gone leaving UTEP with with a battle between Sr. Terrell Jackson and So. Donald Buckram.  While the defense returns 7 starters, the Miners hope to leave the numbers behind.  UTEP gave up 302 yards passing per game along with 203 yards rushing per game.

Southern Miss, November 29, 2008, 2 PM
The Golden Eagles just return 10 starters for new head coach Larry Fedora but one of them is RB Damion Fletcher (1586 yards, 15 TD’s).  Southern Miss will have to replace its QB and 8 starters on defense and should consider this a rebuilding year using a lot of young, inexperienced players.

Conference USA Championship Game, December 6, 2008

In a metropolitan area which is home to two of the largest airlines in the country, three NCAA Bowl Subdivision football teams will take the field in 2008 logging as many air miles as any team in the country. It’s an exciting brand of football for the fans to be sure, and with signing of June Jones to be the new head coach at Southern Methodist University, the tickets just might sell. Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University and the University of North Texas are neighbors in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.

If anyone throws the ball as much as Jones did at the University of Hawaii, it would be Todd Dodge out of his no huddle Spread Offense at UNT (University of North Texas) known as “Dodge Ball.” Last year Dodge’s team averaged 46 passes per game for 3476 total yards on the season.

Jones’ Hawaii team averaged 51 passes a game for a total of 5713 yards on the season. In case you are wondering, that’s about 476 yards per game (12 games). Jones uses the old “Run and Shoot” offense that was used so well at the University of Houston in the 80′s. Jones has the services of two year starter Justin Willis, if he can pull it together and get himself back on the team.

UNT, of course, is located in Denton, TX, just north of Dallas, and SMU is located in Dallas. In Fort Worth, Gary Patterson is the head coach of TCU (Texas Christian University), where the passing game has always helped balanced the usually stellar running game. In the past, TCU has used dual threat Quarterbacks to complement such running backs as LaDainian Tomlinson, Lonta Hobbs, and Robert Merrill. However, in QB Andy Dalton, TCU is starting to benefit from a strong, accurate arm. TCU averaged 34 passes per game for a total of 2881 yards on the season, up from 27 passes per game in 2006 and 29 passes per game in 2005. With a more confident Dalton, will the Frogs throw the ball more? The Frogs have never been afraid to throw the ball when it needed to. In recent years the TCU QB has had big passing games. TCU is not a one dimensional team.

DFW college football may be exciting in the 2008 season. While watching a game, you might look to the skies. However, it may not be just to see the airplanes.