The Longhorns enter tonight’s game following three straight wins, which included a total annihilation of No. 12 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry.[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)] While Texas seems to have righted the ship, TCU is reeling. Coming off a loss to Oklahoma State, the Horned Frogs’ only conference victory came against the lowly Kansas Jayhawks. Despite what seems to be two teams headed in opposite directions, TCU enters the game as three point favorites.
Senior QB Case McCoy thinks he knows why.
“Probably because I’m the quarterback, right?” McCoy said. “I love it. I’ve been an underdog all my life. No one thinks I’m any good but my team. So I play with a chip on my shoulder. That’s part of me and I don’t think that’ll ever change.”
McCoy’s theory aside, TCU offers an interesting challenge for the Longhorns. Texas has yet to face a defense as athletic and disciplined as TCU’s. Despite a 3-4 start, the Horned Frogs possess the highest ranked defense in the Big 12, and the 17th-highest rush defense in the entire FBS.
“No one’s run it well against TCU this year,” head coach Mack Brown said. “The couple of teams that got 200 yards they had to run it a whole bunch to get that 200.”
TCU will be licking their chops at a chance to beat their in-state rival. It’s been a disappointing season thus far for the Horned Frogs, who many prognosticators picked to win the Big 12. But a victory over Texas would be a great start to the second half of the season as the Horned Frogs make a run to grab a bowl game.
To put this in perspective, this game is to TCU what the Oklahoma game was to Texas. TCU must win this game to salvage their season and give their team, and fanbase, a shot in the arm. In other words, Texas could get a taste of their own medicine. The high energy, back against the wall, nothing to lose mentality we saw against Oklahoma will also be on display tonight. Only, from the other team.
“You go back and look at this team, they’ve played the hardest schedule so far in our league,” Brown said. “They’re a much better team than perceived, and we’ve got our hands full on Saturday.”
Add to this the return of injured QB Casey Pachall, who has been absent for three of TCU’s losses, a hostile environment in Fort Worth, and it’s increasingly difficult to chalk up the Vegas odds to McCoy’s presence behind center. TCU is good, and Longhorns need to put together another strong performance to come away with a win.
[/s2If] [s2If current_user_is_not(s2member_level2) OR current_user_is_not(s2member_level3) OR current_user_is_not(s2member_level5) OR current_user_is_not(s2member_level6)OR current_user_is_not(s2member_level7)]
The rest of this article is available to Digital Subscribers only. Login or Subscribe to continue reading. [/s2If]
#HookEm
Discover more from Horns Illustrated
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.