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Football:
This is a really interesting breakdown of how the rest of the conference views the TCU defense. Worth the read, for sure.
The Horned Frogs left the Mountain West to join the Big 12 in 2012. At the time, programs like Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, among others, were shaping the Big 12 into arguably the best offensive conference in the country. And some pundits and fans wondered whether TCU could slow opponents down, let alone stop them.
In their first six seasons in the league, the defense has allowed the fewest points per game twice and never finished in the bottom half of the league.
What’s more impressive is that they have surrendered the fewest yards per game three times. Two of the remaining three seasons, they finished second in that statistic.
Scheduling outlook: TCU still Oklahoma’s primary problem in the Big 12 | Norman Transcript
Can the Frogs get over the hump against OU now that Baker has moved on?
Also, OU’s visits to Amon G. Carter Stadium have been dicey. Its victories in 2012 and 2016 came by a touchdown or less, and there was the 37-33 loss in 2014.
TCU returns just six starters on defense, but could still produce the league’s best defensive line. It’s anchored by preseason All-Big 12 defensive player of the year Ben Banogu, who could move to strongside defensive end after Mat Boesen’s departure.
Still, challenging OU means keeping up offensively.
TCU’s skill corps has promise. It includes running back Darius Anderson and receivers Kavontae Turpin and Jalen Reagor, who combined for 2,546 all-purpose yards in 2017. Turpin was one of the Big 12’s most dangerous return men last year and could claim the top spot now.
Peyton Powell Impressed On Recent TCU Unofficial Visit | 247 Sports
Winner in week three gets the talented four star athlete?
“There’s a lot bigger and better kids than I thought they had up their really,” Powell said. “The coaching staff is really good and the facilities are some of the best I’ve seen so far.”
Last week Powell had an update where he named Ohio State, TCU and Texas Tech as his leaders. He was set to make a decision in two weeks as well. Things have changed a bit for Powell however; he still considers those three among his top schools but has others in the mix as well. Also, he’s decided to push his commitment date back.
“There’s a few schools that are in the mix now; at first I had a clear number one and then I started visiting other schools and now I have four or five that are looking good,” he said. “I’ve decided to push back my commitment a little bit but I want to visit Texas, make an official to TCU and go on an official to Oklahoma State. I’m going to try to push everything back until after the season.”
Ohio State’s Pay Day to Play TCU This Season is Absurd | Fan Buzz
I am still mad.
According to game contracts obtained by Eleven Warriors through a public records request under the Freedom of Information Act, Ohio State will pay $1.7 million to Oregon State for its season opener on Sept. 1 and $1.5 million to Tulane for the following week.
Both games will be at Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio.
Those numbers are a little higher than most are willing to spend, but they are not surprising or alarming. To get higher-profile schools at the Shoe, there is a price to pay.
The TCU game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Sept. 15, however, is a completely different story.
Ohio State will receive a one-time $5 million payment for that trip to play the Horned Frogs at a neutral site after the two teams adjusted a home-and-home agreement from 2012. And although the schools generally pay for teams to come in, the Ohio State payment will be made by Cowboys Stadium LP.
Basketball:
People are already getting excited about what this TCU team will do.
TCU returns 65 percent of last season’s minutes – a solid number – but will have to survive without two of its top players. Vladimir Brodziansky and Kenrich Williams (and Williams’ hair) combined to average 28.2 points, 14.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. Both players contributed defensively as well; Brodziansky finished in the top-10 in the Big 12 in block rate, while Williams ranked amongst the conference’s top-10 in steal rate.
With those two key frontcourt departures, Jamie Dixon’s club will be focused more around its guard play, especially with junior Jaylen Fisher returning from a knee injury.
Fisher averaged 12.3 points and 5.4 assists per game before his season was cut short after 17 games. He is an excellent three-point shooter (40 percent on 208 career attempts) and can rack up steals on the defensive end. Paired with backcourt mate Alex Robinson – who is only an average shooter, but still an excellent creator (9.7 points, 6.1 assists) – and the Horned Frogs should be able to slice apart opposing defenses with ease.
Volleyball:
CLASS OF 2020 S/DS ALYSSA HEIST COMMITS TO TCU | Volley Mob
Jill Kramer is making big moves on the recruiting trail, and it’s paying dividends on the court.
A junior-to-be once the new school year starts up, Heist attends Coronado High School in El Paso, Texas. In her most recent campaign as a sophomore, she helped the team to a 34-4 record and a second-straight district championship that concluded with an appearance in the Regional Quarterfinals of the Texas State Tournament for Volleyball 6A Regions 1 & 3.
According to her MaxPreps profile, Heist logged 1,290 assists (12.1 per set), 357 digs (3.3 per set), 108 kills (1.0 per set), 29 aces (0.3 per set) and 11 blocks (0.1 per set). Over the course of her time with the school her performance has led to several accolades including all-district and the El Paso Times Setter of the Year award.
Heist also plays with El Paso Wildfire for club ball, more specifically the Wildfire 17’s coached by Chuck Heist and Cristy Crank. Besides standing at 5’7″, she owns an 8’9″ block touch and a 9’0″ approach jump. Video of her play can be seen here.