While Phil Steele has TCU’s schedule ranked number 85, it’s hard to believe the Frogs will have an easy time playing Oklahoma in Norman and hosting Stanford. Add to that what I believe to be the toughest non BCS conference, and TCU will have a challenge to win 10 games. But, for the Horned Frogs, it is possible that they return to double digit wins in 2008. Here is TCU’s schedule.
@ New Mexico, August 30, 5 PM
They don’t seem to excited to see TCU in August out in Albuquerque. And for good reason, the Lobos only return 10 starters from a year ago, including just one on the Offensive Line. Also gone are the two leading receivers from 2007, both of whom had over 1000 yards receiving. But the Lobos return Jr. QB Donovan Porterie (6-3, 206) who passed for 3006 yards and 15 TD’s. They also return Sr. RB Rodney Ferguson (6-0, 229) who rushed for 1177 yards a year ago. On defense, the Lobos return their top tackler Jr. Lobo Ian Clark (6-0, 210) and their unique 3-3-5 defensive scheme.
Stephen F. Austin, September 6, 6 PM
Not much went right for the Lumberjacks last year as they were 0-11. SFA, a Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA), will need more than a few axes when they come into Amon G. Carter Stadium for their appointment with the Horned Frogs.
Stanford, September 13, 6 PM
One week after Stanford had the biggest upset of the year beating USC in the L A Coliseum, the Frogs overcame a 14 point lead in the second half to beat the Cardinals 38-36 in Palo Alto. The Cardinals return 16 starters and look to improve on last season’s 4-8 record. The Cardinals return their top three tacklers from 2007 including Fr. FS Bo McNally (6-0, 208) who recorded 114 tackles. On offense the Cardinals return So. RB Tony Gerhart (6-1, 228) from a Medical Redshirt in 2007.
@ SMU, September 20, 7 PM
2008 is the beginning of the June Jones era in Dallas. The Mustangs will have to improve dramatically, but with Jones in charge, SMU may make a big turn around. This year’s game is being dubbed the DFW Duel: The Battle for the Iron Skillet.
@ Oklahoma, September 27, TBA
The Sooners cannot forget 2005 when the Frogs went in to Norman and beat OU in front of 80,000 fans. Not only did the Frogs beat them in 2005, but they beat them in 1996 as well. The Sooners will run some no huddle Spread Offense this year, but I don’t know how well So. QB Sam Bradford (6-5, 213) moves. The Sooners return 8 starters on Offense including Bradford and the entire Offensive Line. The Defense only returns 5.
San Diego State, October 4, 5 PM
There is good news, bad news, and very bad news for the Aztecs which finished 4-8 last year. The good news is they return 8 starters on Defense. The bad news is that defense was not good as it gave up 242 yards rushing per game, 257 yards passing per game and 34.4 points per game. TCU had 694 yards of total offense and 45 points against SDSU in 2007. Now for the very bad news. SDSU only returns 3 starters on Offense.
@ Colorado State, October 11, 5 PM
The Rams were really close to being a winning team last year. They took Colorado to Overtime, the scared Cal when the Bears were ranked 10th, and would not go away against TCU. On Offense, the Rams return 7 starters, including Sr. RB Gartrell Johnson (6-0, 227) and Sr. RB Kyle Bell (6-2, 231) who combined to rush for 1648 yards in 2007. On Defense the Rams return 5 starters including 2007 leading tackler Sr. MLB Jeff Horinek (6-3, 234) who had 94 tackles.
BYU, October 16, 7 PM
Heading into 2008, it seems most people think BYU will be great. The media has tabbed them as their favorite to win the MWC, Jr. QB Max Hall (6-1, 201) is the Preseason MWC Offensive Player of the year and has been added to the 2008 O’Brien Watch List, and Jr. DE Jan Jorgensen (6-3, 256) has been named to the 2008 Ted Hendricks Award Watch List. Last year BYU began the year losing at UCLA and at Tulsa before going undefeated in the MWC. The Cougars finished the year 11-2, winning 10 straight games including nail bitters against Utah, TCU and UCLA in the Las Vegas Bowl. BYU only returns 3 starters on Defense, but 10 of the projected starters are upperclassmen. The Offensive should be great, led my Max Hall who passed for 3848 yards and 26 TD’s they also return their top 4 receivers and So. RB Harvey Unga (6-0, 243) a big punishing back who averaged 5.0 yards per carry for 1227 total rushing yards in 2007.
Wyoming, October 25, 5 PM
This a game the Horned Frogs want to win to avenge last year’s 24-21 loss in Laramie. The Cowboys return 8 starters on offense and 6 on deffense. Sr. RB Devin Moore (5-10, 191) rushed for 965 yards in 2007 and Sr. RB Wynel Seldon (6-0, 219) added 554 yards. Jr. QB Karsten Sween (6-2, 222) is back looking to improve on his 2028 yards passing. The Defense returns 2 of its top 5 tacklers. Sr. WLB Ward Dobbs (6-0, 230) had 98 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 INT.
@ UNLV, November 1, 7 PM
TCU has owned UNLV the past three years, but this Rebels team might be a dangerous one. UNLV returns 9 starters on Offense that rushed for 141 yards per game and passed for 213 yards per game but averaged only 18.2 points per game. The top two QB’s return, and that may be the biggest battle in Fall camp, and both are capable performers. UNLV also returns their top RB, Sr. Frank Summers (5-10, 200) who rushed for 928 yards and 6 TD’s. The Offensive Line returns 7 with starting experience. The Defense only returns 5, but their projected starters include 9 upperclassmen. The Rebels return their number two tackler from 2007, Jr. SS Daryl Forte (5-11, 185) who had 94 tackles.
@ Utah, November 6, 7 PM
The media voted BYU to be the preseason favorite of the MWC, but Phil Steele, the college football magazine guru, has the Utes as his favorite. One reason may be the return of Sr. QB Brian Johnson (6-1, 205). Johnson who redshirted in 2006 due to an injury, played much of 2007 injured and only passed for 1847 yards while rushing for 314 (net just 150 yds.). As a starter in 2005, Johnson passed for 2892 yards while rushing for 690 yards in 10 games missing the last three games due to, you guessed it, an injury. A healthy Johnson will mean a good Utah Offense as they return 8 starters on that side of the ball including Sr. RB Darrell Mack (6-0, 219) who rushed for 1204 yards and 12 TD’s in 2007. Defensively, Utah returns 6 starters including 2 of it’s top 3 tacklers from a year ago.
Air Force, November 22, 2:30 PM
This another game the Frogs will want to avenge. The Frogs, just 5 days after playing Texas, lost a heart breaker in Colorado Springs 20-17 in Overtime where it seemed the Frogs just ran out of gas. The Falcons went on to win 9 games and receive a birth to the Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth. The Defense returns 5 starters and the Offense just 3. The Falcons have to replace a lot of offense from 2007.
