Frogs O' War 2013 Football Predictions

It's bravery test time once again here on Frogs O' War, as the staff members step forward to give you our takes on how the Frog's season is going to go.  We all had a bit of a rocky start last year, as there were drug busts before the season and DUIs during it (from the team, not the Frogs O' War staff) which threw our predictions all over the place- apart from Purple Wimple's prediction that Trevone Boykin would be the starting quarterback by the end of the year, which got a big boost.  This offseason TCU has lost a backup cornerback, a rotational linebacker and a starting tackle... and yet it's been comparatively quiet compared to last time.  Who knows what wild events will transpire this season to thwart our best laid predictions?  Until we know better, here's what we think now- TCU's record, starting quarterback at the end of the season, breakout player, home game prediction, major award winners and Big 12 champion.

HawkeyedFrog

TCU's record: 10-2, losses to LSU and Texas.  I hate picking these two losses- especially Texas, but the week after a big game against Oklahoma State I think there's a letdown.  The Frogs are still headed to the Fiesta Bowl though, as Texas has two losses in conference and Oklahoma State loses the head to head.

TCU's Starting Quarterback at the end of the year: Casey Pachall.  I think that a long offseason and some good reports out of practice have made some of us forget just how good Casey is.  In my opinion, Casey would have been the second team All-Big 12 team quarterback last year and will be the first team All-Big 12 quarterback this year.  I'm still optimistic about Boykin going forward, but not this year.

Breakout player of the year: LaDarius Brown.  Yes, I'm taking our highest profile wide receiver recruit and running with it, but LaDarius Brown is going to be an absolute monster this year.  With a strong armed and accurate quarterback under center, the 6'4" 220 lb. Brown is going to be given ample opportunities to do things he only rarely got to do last season- catch the ball in stride, use his size and leaping ability to plow over defensive backs en route to huge yards-after-catch.  With Brandon Carter calling for extra attention the other side to keep from being beaten deep, Brown is going to rapidly become Casey's new favorite target.

Will TCU win a home Big 12 game this year?: Kind of sad that this question bears asking, but happily the answer is yes.  I expect TCU to win their entire home slate apart from the Texas game, and at the very least I don't see any way that we're going to drop the home Big 12 opener to Kansas.

Will TCU players win any of the major positional awards this year?: Right now I think Jason Verrett will be a finalist for the Jim Thorpe award and Waymon James will be a finalist for the Doak Walker award, but neither will end up winning (unless the historical Texas bias comes through in the Doak Walker vote).  If there were a "Comeback player of the year" award I think Casey Pachall and Waymon James would both be top contenders, though.

2013's Big 12 champion will be...: TCU and Oklahoma State, with TCU taking the AQ bid.

Purple Wimple

TCU's record:I think the Frogs beat SE LA, Texas Tech, SMU, OU, Kansas, Texas, West Virginia, Iowa State, and Baylor.
I think the Frogs lose to LSU, OkieLight, and K-State.
So that's 9-3 (7-2). And I think it's almost the best-case scenario; certainly 2013 could be a lot worse.

Who will be TCU's starting quarterback at the end of the season?: Let's get back on the Pachall wagon.

Who will be TCU's breakout player of 2013?: On defense: James McFarland; on offense: Waymon James.

Will TCU win a Big 12 home game this season?: I think the Frogs win all of ‘em. Strangely, the one that concerns me most: Baylor.  (Ed.: Booooo)

Will any TCU player win a major award this year?: I think the Frogs will spread the ball around too much to get Waymon James an award, but I think the Frogs get several all-Americans on defense: Devonte Fields, maybe Pierson and Hunter, behind them Jason Verrett, Sam Carter, Elisha Olabode. On offense?

Who's your pick for Big 12 Champ?: I won't vote against Bill Snyder. K-State.

Patrick McCullough- Fungo Frog

TCU's record: Wins: SELU, Tech, SMU, OU, KU, Texas, WVU, IST, K-ST, Bay
Losses: LSU, Okie State

10-2, headed to the Cotton Bowl

Who will be TCU's starting quarterback at the end of the season?: Trevone Boykin... Casey is good, but not great, and Boykin proves in limited game time and practice that he is the better all around player. He starts after the Okie State game and carries the Frogs through the end of the season.

Who will be TCU's breakout player of 2013?: McFarland... He pushes Kontz off of DE with a fantastic showing vs. LSU, provides a fantastic compliment to Fields.

Will TCU win a Big 12 home game this season?: Yep... In fact, they win them all.

Will any TCU player win a major award this year?: Jason Verrett will be named CB of the year, Oberkrom wins the kicker award, Perry the punter award

Who's your pick for Big 12 Champ?: There is a 3-way tie at the end of the year between Okie State, Texas and TCU... Okie State wins because they have the highest BCS Ranking of the three.

Jamie Plunkett

TCU's record: 11-1. Wins: LSU, SELU, Tech, SMU, OU, KU, Texas, WVU, IST, K-ST, Bay
Losses: Okie State

Headed to the Fiesta Bowl.

Who will be TCU's starting quarterback at the end of the season?: Pachall. End of story.

Who will be TCU's breakout player of 2013?: Jonathan Anderson. He's built like a tank and has serious speed for a linebacker. I think we'll be really, really impressed with him by the end of this year.

Will TCU win a Big 12 home game this season?: Yes, because they know I refuse to spend this kind of money on season tickets three years in a row to see them lose at home all the time.

Will any TCU player win a major award this year?: I think Fields and Verrett will both vie for Defensive Player of the Year, but that's already being set aside for Jadaveon Clowney. Here's one to ponder: Casey Pachall - Davey O' Brien winner.

Who's your pick for Big 12 Champ?: TCU. I think the loss to Oklahoma State will suck, but I see them dropping games to OU and Texas along the way.

So two of us like TCU and Oklahoma State to tie for the title, though one of us has Texas in the mix as well, and one of us is a firm subscriber to the "To be the man, you have to beat the man" philosophy.  It will be interesting seeing how the predictions pan out as the season progresses.  Jamie will be along at some point to share his predictions as well, but for anyone else who'd like to go on the record with us- the comment section is open!  What do you think of the Frogs this year?