What is the story about?
What was your biggest takeaway from the Horned Frogs’ demolition of Bill Belichick & the Tar Heels in Week One?
- Anthony: I think I got my swagger back! Bud Clark treating Gio Lopez like he’s JJ McCarthy in the Fiesta Bowl, social media admins going viral, explosive plays on the ground and through the air, all culminating in a runaway victory. TCU Football was having fun again, a team filled with the confidence that it can fulfill all its goals this season rather than just holding on for dear life. If TCU can run the ball and control the trenches all season like it did in Chapel Hill, the sky’s the limit.
- Austin: This matchup had a similar feel to TCU’s 2023 opener against Colorado under Deion Sanders. Bill Belichick’s new-look Tar Heels were a slight underdog against a formidable TCU team. Yet, as we know, the Frogs took care of business in a demonstrative way. The main takeaway is without a doubt the Horned Frogs’ level of preparation and poise to begin the season. Even after going down 7-0, TCU looked the part, stayed true to its game plan, and carried out a beatdown.
- Caleb: One of my biggest takeaways was an answer to one of the offseason’s biggest questions: What does the defense look like in year 2 of Andy Avalos. Say what you will about UNC’s current state of affairs, the Frogs dominated defensively. The defensive line manhandled an inexperienced Tar Heel offensive line, as good teams should, and the secondary flew to the ball. There was much more speed, better pursuit, and smarter adjustments made for the Frog defense after a shaky first drive. I hope they maintain that energy as I’m sure they’re itching to hit the field against ACU.
- Drew: I was excited about the dominance TCU showed in the trenches on both sides of the ball. The defensive line had little trouble stopping the run and getting pressure on UNC quarterbacks. The interior of the defensive line was especially impressive as Markis Deal and Tristian Johnson both had great games. On the other side of the ball, the interior of the offensive line was similarly impressive for the Frogs as Cade Bennett and Coltin Deery stood out. I was confident in the skill position players for the Frogs and was encouraged by the performance in the trenches against UNC.
- Russ: I was extremely pleased with the balance TCU showed offensively. The Horned Frogs entered the season with questions at the running back position, but UTSA transfer Kevorian Barnes played very well, finishing with over 100 yards on the ground. I was also very pleased with how the defense responded and shut the run down after a bad opening drive. TCU held UNC to 50 rushing yards on 28 carries.
As the FCS contest ahead of the Iron Skillet and Big 12 play, what do you want to see from TCU this week to build on the success of the season opener?
- Anthony: Keep bullying at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Frogs were able to push the Tar Heels around in Week One, leading to its best day running the ball in ages while the defensive front was a force creating havoc. We’re all saying it, but to further agree: let’s see the Frogs continue to pound the rock. After being hapless on the ground outside of WR Savion Williams in 2024, seeing a real rushing attack is a sight for sore eyes. No reason to get cute, if you can smash your opponent, do it. The Frogs should be expected to smash ACU and carry that power game into the SMU game.
- Austin: A concerted effort to continue pounding the rock. TCU gashed the Tar Heels for 258 yards on the ground. Kevorian Barnes led the way, with 113 yards and a score, but Nate Palmer, Jeremy Payne, Trent Battle, and Jon Denman also flashed. A season ago, the Horned Frogs ranked 13th in the Big 12 in rushing yards and 14th in yards per carry. A strong ground game will keep opposing defenses honest, preventing them from zeroing in on TCU’s aerial attack.
- Caleb: I want to see solid play from the 2’s on defense, specifically at defensive tackle and linebacker. The quartet of Markis Deal, Ansel Din-Mbuh, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, and Nnamdi Obiazor is a gritty interior, but what do the Frogs have beneath that? Michael Teason showed flashes at linebacker, as Max Carroll at times, but it would be nice to see the defense hum with either of them being the central command of the frontline. Connor Lingren had a great fall camp according to reports, he should get some burn to prove those right.
- Drew: I would like to see improved decision making and blocking in the screen game from the Frogs. Kendall Briles’s offenses consistently uses perimeter screens as a way to pick up free yards and there were some hiccups in that department against UNC. I would like to see better blocking from wide receivers and better reads on screen-run options from Hoover against ACU to have the full offensive arsenal humming heading into the rest of the season.
- Russ: I’m expecting all of the team’s top five rushers (Kevorian Barnes, Jeremy Payne, Trent Battle, Nate Palmer and Jon Denman) to get about an equal share of the run this weekend. I want to see TCU continue running the ball often and EFFECTIVELY before taking on the Mustangs for the Iron Skillet. I also want the TCU defense to continue playing mistake-free football, which means minimal to no penalties, effective run defense and some big plays in the passing game.
Have your preseason expectations for the Frogs changed, given what you’ve seen through one game and through a few weeks around the conference?
- Anthony: That little corner of one’s brain where one can begin to wonder “What If?” has been activated where previously it was fully closed off. The rational brain will say, “it’s just one meaningless non-conference game against an overmatched team and a first time head coach which will prove to have no bearing on anything long term.” But that other part of the brain is telling me “Remember Max? Remember Andy? Remember Trevone? Yeah, it’s happening again!” Sure it’s a long season that could still wind up with four losses or worse, even as ASU, KSU, SMU, and Baylor have each already suffered losses, but the possibility has crept into mind that the Horned Frogs have a chance for a special season.
- Austin: Big time. TCU’s win against North Carolina was impressive, but the Big 12’s woes have been even more of a storyline. Preseason favorites Arizona State and Kansas State have struggled mightily, paving the way for the Horned Frogs, Iowa State Cyclones, Texas Tech Red Raiders, and Utah Utes to ascend to the cream of the crop. Already after a few weeks, the Big 12 Championship feels attainable.
- Caleb: I’ve had my optimism confirmed a bit, and it can take more shape in the next couple of weeks. The team is in better early season form than most, so theoretically they could be playing better football in weeks 3-4. ASU on a short week doesn’t seem as tall of a task as it did in the preseason, as well as the trip to Manhattan. Pair those with a bye week to prep for Iowa State and the team could have a legitimate opportunity to play in Jerry World at the end of the regular season.
- Drew: My expectations for the Frogs have risen a bit based on both their own performance and a couple of teams on the schedule dropping games early. The performance against UNC was very impressive but I think part of that was from playing an inferior opponent. A few games on the schedule that looked like probable losses now look a bit easier as Kansas State and Arizona State have stumbled out of the gates. My expectations have raised but I need to see the Frogs play more games before any drastic changes.
- Russ: My expectations for the Horned Frogs haven’t changed much… yet. As Austin has indicated, some of the preseason favorites like Arizona State and Kansas State (both ranked in the top 25) have struggled, while Baylor has given up all sorts of points defensively. The Big 12 has arguably the most parity of any Power 4 football conference and if the Horned Frogs can get hot at the right time, a conference title game appearance certainly wouldn’t be out of the question.
Offensive MVP vs. ACU
- Anthony: Jordan Dwyer. The Idaho transfer tortured the Tar Heels secondary in his first game at the FBS level and has gone 130+ yards in four straight games dating back to last season. His connection with QB Josh Hoover is clear and he’ll keep that streak rolling on Saturday. Go ahead and throw in a punt return touchdown as well.
- Austin: Kevorian Barnes. Josh Hoover will put up a modest yet efficient stat line. There will surely be an opportunity for Barnes to score two-plus touchdowns against an FCS foe, especially considering the Wildcats allowed Tulsa to accumulate 263 yards on the ground in week one.
- Caleb: Nate Palmer. I think the offense strings some solid drives together and gets an unreasonable lead early. Most of Palmers reps came when the game was just teetering on “out of hand” and he had 7 carries for 61 yards. I think they’ll let him run a little bit more wild in this one and he’ll pop some eyes with his ending stat line.
- Drew: Eric McAlister. North Carolina had their best corner travel with McAlister in week one, limiting his targets and leading to Jordan Dwyer having a big game. I think Hoover looks for McAlister early and often against ACU and WR1 for the Frogs has 100+ yards and a touchdown.
- Russ: Jeremy Payne. Kevorian Barnes looks like RB1 for the Horned Frogs, but I’d like to see Jeremy Payne turn in a good game and cement his status as the RB2 in front of Trent Battle and Nate Palmer. Payne has shown an ability to be a three-down back with effective runs and plays in the passing game.
Defensive MVP vs. ACU
- Anthony: Zach Chapman. Listed as a starter vs. UNC where he earned a sack and fumble recovery, the former four-star is poised to level-up again after a Freshman All-American campaign last season. Expect the Horned Frogs defensive front to produce pressure all night on the Wildcats, with Chapman again making a major impact.
- Austin: Namdi Obiazor. The versatile linebacker recorded three stops against the Tar Heels, but should be in for more action against the Wildcats. A five-plus tackle, one-sack performance isn’t out of the question. TCU’s safety tandem led the team in tackles in the opener. Thus, it’d be reassuring for a linebacker to lead the charge this time around.
- Caleb: Kaleb Elarms-Orr. The speedier of the two starting linebackers will get some pass-rush opportunities and get a sack. I think Abilene will struggle to run between the tackles and he’ll excel running down the stretch handoffs.
- Drew: Devean Deal. I think TCU will be effective in stopping the run against ACU leading to the Wildcats being put into obvious passing downs where TCU pass rushers can pin their ears back and get after the quarterback. I think Deal has two sacks in this one.
- Russ: Markis Deal. Abilene struggled to run the ball against Tulsa and I want to see TCU’s defensive line build on a strong performance against UNC. That starts with the talented nose tackle Markis Deal, who I think steps up and makes a handful of nice plays on the ground.
Final Score
- Anthony: TCU wins 59-13. Wildcats are a formidable FCS foe, carrying a top 15 ranking at that level, so they will find some points, but Frogs cruise in the 2nd half.
- Austin: 56-7. Somehow, the Horned Frogs haven’t played the Wildcats in almost 100 years, when they won 62-0. The final score of this game will be similar.
- Caleb: TCU wins 59-6. Ken Seals does his thing on senior night after Hoover puts the game out of reach. Easily the best backup QB in the Big 12.
- Drew: Frogs win 48-10.
- Russ: 45-7. The Horned Frogs cruise and emerge from their FCS matchup unscathed.
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