2010 NCAA Football Preview: TCU
When it comes to football in the state of Texas the Longhorns of the University of Texas are typically the team that comes to mind first. They have just always been the team that the media has tended to gravitate to; it helps that they win.
However, there is another top notch program in Texas now that has made as much of a regular occurrence as the Longhorns have—the Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University.
Gary Patterson took over the program ten years ago and has transformed it into a team worthy of national title consideration year in and year out. In six of nine years he has led the team to a top 25 finish, with the last two seasons finishing in the top 10.
Going into next season there is every reason to think that they will be back in the top 10 yet again. Most of the team’s starters are back from the group that went undefeated until losing in the Fiesta Bowl to Boise State.In quarterback Andy Dalton he has a potential Heisman candidate and he’ll be helped and given every opportunity to shine thanks to a stellar defense.
Offence
The Horned Frog offense returns jam packed with experienced talent. Five all-conference selections return: Dalton, wide receiver Jeremy Kerley, center Jake Kirkpatrick, tackle Marcus Cannon, and kicker Ross Evans.
Dalton should be in contention for the Heisman trophy this season. Few players have shown the leadership ability and skills on the field quite like Dalton. His statistics will not pop out quite like Case Keenum's over at Houston, but he is as efficient and consistent as they come. In three years he has thrown for close to 7500 yards and 44 touchdowns, 23 of them coming last season and in the last two years he has only thrown 13 interceptions.
Dalton’s job will be made easier with the line that he will have protecting him. Along with two all-conference players in Kirkpatrick and Cannon are guards Josh Vernon and Kyle Dooley. This powerful line should also be able to open up some good holes for new starting running back, Ed Wesley. Last season Wesley shared time with Joseph Turner (101 carries to Joseph’s 147) and did well with the time he had, rushing for 638 yards and four touchdowns.
With so many pieces of the 7th best offence in the nation coming back the TCU offence should shine once again.
Defence
The only trouble with having the best defence in the nation one year is that you have nowhere to go but down the following season. While the Horned Frog defense may suffer some in 2010, they will likely be among the best in the nation yet again.
All conference linebacker Tank Carder returns to lead the unit in 2010. In his first full season as a starter in 2009 he racked up 89 tackles, two sacks, one interception, one forced fumble, and even scored one touchdown.
On the front four they will look to have four seniors get the majority of playing time. Back will be two all-conference selections, tackle Cory Grant and end Wayne Daniels. At 6’2” and 300+ pounds Grant is a heck of a run stopper, and contributed 25 tackles and two sacks as well; Daniels contributed another 50 tackles and five sacks.
The tough part will be replacing two stellar cornerbacks, Rafael Priest and Nick Sanders. Safeties Colin Jones and Tejay Johnson return; Johnson will look to improve off last year’s all-conference performance. Looking to get time will be Greg McCoy, Jason Teague, and Tyler Luttrell.
When you have two units that play so well you are bound to compete for the national title. Baylor should give the team a decent warm up to start the season with the Mustangs of SMU giving the Horned Frogs their first contest in the second week of the season.
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