TCU Horned Frogs 2010 NCAAF Preview, Schedule, Odds, and Predictions: The Texas Christian University Horned Frogs were thrilled to be participating in a BCS bowl game last year, but getting there raises the bar. “My talk five years ago was getting to a BCS game,” head coach Gary Patterson told CBS Sports. “Now my whole talk is getting a chance to play for the national championship.” The 12-0 start almost got them to the BCS national championship game last year and they have most of the team returning and a very favorable schedule to help them repeat it. “It’s harder to handle success than it is failure. Will this football team come out with the same hunger? Will it win ballgames? Will it play well on the road?” — TCU head coach Gary Patterson, as told to CBS Sports. Vegas odds makers have the TCU Horned Frogs +1500 odds to win the 2011 BCS National Championship.
Offensively the Horned Frogs are led by quarterback Andy Dalton who is back for his senior campaign along with eight other starters on offense. Dalton was the Mountain West’s Offensive Player of the Year in ’09 and is tied for the TCU total with 29 victories. He threw for 2,756 yards with 23 touchdowns and just 8 interceptions and a whopping 151.8 quarterback rating. The QB has two solid running backs returning, sophomores Ed Wesley and Matthew Tucker that should enable the Horned Frogs’ rushing attack (3,114 yards in 2009) to continue to roll this season. The duo rushed for over 1,300 yards a year ago and will be joined by freshman Ethan Grant who rushed for 9.4 yards per carry his senior year. Senior Jeremy Kerley is a thrilling receiver with great hands. The odds makers at BetUS have the TCU Horned Frogs -250 to win the Mountain West Conference.
Coach Patterson leads a defense that has finished No. 1 nationally the past two years and will be one of the best in the country again even with the loss of standout defensive end Jerry Hughes and linebacker Daryl Washington to the NFL. The secondary is led by free safety Tejay Johnson, a senior who had three interceptions in 2009 and is a good tackler. Linebackers Tank Carder should return after having offseason shoulder surgery and sophomore Tanner Brock returns to stuff the middle. The odds makers at BetUS Sportsbook have the TCU Horned Frogs middle number listed at over/under 10 1/2 wins for the 2010 NCAAF regular season.
This Horned Frog team has the things it takes to make it to another undefeated regular season and a shot at a BCS National Championship game. Unfortunately they would most like need to be the only undefeated team, and secondly I don’t think they would compete effectively against the Big Boy Conference opponent in that game. I predict a 11-1 season and a good bowl berth, but not the big dance.
2010 TCU Horned Frogs Football Schedule
Sat, Sept 4 vs #24 Oregon State* 7:45 PM ET
Sat, Sept 11 vs Tennessee Tech 7:00 PM ET
Sat, Sept 18 vs Baylor 4:30 PM ET
Fri, Sept 24 @ Southern Methodist 8:00 PM ET
Sat, Oct 2 @ Colorado State 2:00 PM ET
Sat, Oct 9 vs Wyoming 3:30 PM ET
Sat, Oct 16 vs Brigham Young 4:00 PM ET
Sat, Oct 23 vs Air Force 8:00 PM ET
Sat, Oct 30 @ UNLV 11:00 PM ET
Sat, Nov 6 @ Utah 3:30 PM ET
Sat, Nov 13 vs San Diego State 4:00 PM ET
Sat, Nov 27 @ New Mexico 4:00 PM ET