When you sign-up through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more >
The 2018 season was a campaign to forget for coach Gary Patterson, whose defense had to carry the 107th ranked offense in the nation. At just 23.5 points per game and a revolving door at quarterback, wins were tough to come by in Fort Worth. The Horned Frogs managed to crack 20 points just three times in Big 12 play, with one of those losses coming against perennial cellar dweller Kansas.
TCU managed to become bowl eligible with a 6-6 regular season record, with each of their Big 12 winning margins being a touchdown or less. The Frogs closed out the season with two straight wins before sneaking into the Cheez-It Bowl and beating California 10-7.
Im a Big Dog off the leash, now I cant step off my pivot. pic.twitter.com/e1DkCBFJPx
Reag (@TheJalenReagor) June 18, 2019
With nowhere to go but up, the offense is bound to improve, especially with an offensive line that will have pretty much everyone back. That group will include seniors Anthony McKinney and Lucas Niang at the tackle spots, and Cordel Iwuagwu at left guard. Top receiver Jalen Reagor is back in Fort Worth, where he should get some support from sophomore Taye Barber who is coming off a decent freshman season.
The Frogs will likely spread the love when it comes to carries, as senior running backs Darius Anderson and Sewo Olonilua are expected to split those duties. The big question looming over the program is who takes over at quarterback, whether it is Kansas State transfer Alex Delton, redshirt freshman Justin Rogers, junior Michael Collins, or Ohio State transfer Matthew Baldwin (assuming he is granted immediate eligibility).
The defense is in better shape, as the secondary is expected to be senior heavy with corners Jeff Gladney and Julius Lewis, along with safeties Innis Gaines and Vernon Scott. Linebacker Garret Wallow is the top returning tackler, and will be joined by redshirt senior Montrel Wilson. Junior defensive tackle Corey Bethley will anchor the defensive line which got a boost in experience with the arrival of South Carolina graduate transfer Shameik Blackshear.
Congrats to the 3? Horned Frogs drafted this year! ???
#NFLDraft #GoFrogs pic.twitter.com/aPVZ1rvMEg
TCU Football (@TCUFootball) April 27, 2019
The defense has been the forte of this program ever since coach Patterson took the reins in 2000. As a result, TCU loses key players on that side of the ball to the NFL seemingly every year. Although all of their draft picks were fifth-year seniors, each of these losses will sting. Pass rushers L.J. Collier and Ben Banogu were taken in the first two rounds of the draft by the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts respectively. The biggest loss on offense is the graduation of receiver/return specialist Kavontae Turpin who was always a threat to break free in the open field.
Having to compete with the likes of Texas, Texas A&M, and Baylor for in-state recruits has forced TCU to not be over-reliant on the Lone Star State for talent. This recruiting class is a prime example, as the Horned Frogs locked up defensive end Adam Plant, the second-ranked recruit from the state of Nevada. TCU made their crowded quarterback room even more packed by signing Max Duggan, the top QB recruit in Iowa and ninth overall pro-style passer.
TCU fans will get a taste of nostalgia in the coming seasons, as coach Patterson and his staff managed to get a commitment from Trevius Tomlinson, the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Famer and the school’s leading rusher, LaDainian Tomlinson.
Date | Opponent |
---|---|
August 31st | Arkansas-Pine Bluff |
September 14th | @ Purdue |
September 21st | Southern Methodist |
September 28th | Kansas |
October 5th | @ Iowa State |
October 19th | @ Kansas State |
October 26th | Texas |
November 2nd | @ Oklahoma State |
November 9th | Baylor |
November 16th | @ Texas Tech |
November 23rd | @ Oklahoma |
November 29th | West Virginia |
The Horned Frogs do not have an overwhelming schedule at first glance, as the road trip to Oklahoma is without question the biggest obstacle. Up and coming Iowa State could be a tricky foe away from home, however, while the same can be said about Oklahoma State who should see some improvement. Having Texas and Baylor at home in Amon G. Carter Stadium will help, as will games against Texas Tech and West Virginia, both of whom are entering the season with new head coaches.
New Jersey residents can log on to 888Sport to wager on TCU’s Big 12 title odds as well as their win total. With an over/under of 7.5 wins, bettors will need to ask themselves which TCU team will show up in 2019.
Sportsbook | TCU | Link |
---|---|---|
888Sport NJ | +1400 |
* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER
Regular season only. Conference championship games do not count.
Sportsbook | Over 7.5 | Under 7.5 | Link |
---|---|---|---|
888Sport NJ | +103 | -125 |
* 21+ | NJ only | If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER
Check out our college football section for more team previews.
AUTHOR
Andre Viljoen
150 Articles
Andre has been writing for WSN since February 2019, covering college basketball and college football. A graduate of Florida State and UNC-Chapel Hill, he lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. When he is not writing, he enjoys playing sports and Magic: The Gathering.
Email: [email protected]
More info on Andre Viljoen
© Rebel Penguin ApS 2023 (a subsidiary of Gaming Innovation Group Inc.)
We support responsible gambling. 21+ Only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
WSN.com is run by iGaming Cloud Inc (a Gaming Innovation Group Subsidiary) and is registered with the New Jersey
Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) under affiliate vendor ID
89744,
with the Indiana Gaming Commission (IGC) under certificate of registration number SWR-000148, approved by
the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board as a gaming service provider, under certificate registration number
117656-1,
possesses a Vendor Minor sports betting license from the Colorado Limited Gaming Control Commission (account
number 94414163), granted a vendor registration number VR007603-20-001 by the Michigan Gaming Control Board,
an
interim Sports Wagering Supplier license, under license number SWS 066, issued by the West Virginia Lottery
Commission, a sports betting vendor registration, under registration number #100400, issued by the Director
of
Gaming Licensing and Investigations of the Virginia Lottery to operate in the State of Virginia, and a
Vendor
Registration issued by the Sports Wagering Committee of the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation.
Advertising disclosure: WSN contains links to online retailers on its website. When people click on our
affiliate links and make purchases, WSN earns a commission from our partners, including ESPN and various
sportsbooks.