TCU News: “I’m the leader now and I was once in a position where I was looking up to other guys.”

Football:

TCU, Oklahoma make Phil Steele’s list of dark horse bets to win 2019 national championship | Sports Day

Oh.

Steele: TCU was one of the most injury-plagued teams in college football last year, but head coach Gary Patterson still steered the Horned Frogs to a bowl game. When Patterson has a down year; the Frogs usually bounce back with a big season .... Last years’ injuries make them much more experienced than their 12 returning starters would indicate. TCU has allowed just 334 yards per game over the past two years, which is the best mark in the Big 12, and the Frogs could have the league’s top defense again. TCU ranks among my top units in seven of the eight categories and has the path to make the playoff if they stay healthy

TCU’s Patterson recruiting formula; find overachievers | 247 Sports

We talked about this last week, but it appears GP is going back to his old ways - and that’s a good thing for TCU Football.

The three players Patterson mentioned with the exception of Johnson were not heavily recruited. McCuin had just one offer, from FCS program McNeese State before TCU offered following an impressive summer camp performance. Conwright, out of Lubbock Coronado, was another lightly recruited player despite leading the state in Class 5A in receptions two consecutive seasons. Texas Tech, which Conwright’s own mother has a jersey hanging from the rafters in the basketball arena, did not offer.

Patterson has built his program with players others don’t necessarily take a chance on. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t go after and sometimes land higher profile players; which is something TCU fans have wanted to see the Frogs become more competitive at doing.

TCU LB Garret Wallow ready for leadership role | Horned Frog Blitz

Wallow is ready to break out in 2019.

As the most experienced backer on the roster, Wallow will be looked upon as a leader this season. It’s a role that the junior linebacker has been working on since the end of last season.

“That’s a big role I’ve been trying to take on this off-season,” he said. “I trust the linebackers next to me and the one’s behind me. I know no matter what we’re going to be good because I know how hard we work and prepare for the moment that will come. It doesn’t put too much weight on my shoulders; I’m the leader now and I was once in a position where I was looking up to other guys. It’s more of how I can lead these guys the best way possible.”

TCU football schedule 2019: Game-by-game predictions | Fansided

If the Frogs lose these two games back to back, it’s going to be a long year (I don’t think that happens).

Kansas State has a new coach in Chris Klieman, who comes to the FBS after dominating with North Dakota State. Though TCU escaped this matchup with a one-point victory at home last year, look for Kansas State to defend their home turf.

Result: Loss

Game 7: vs. Texas

Texas should be contending for a CFP spot this season. Though TCU should have a good defense, Sam Ehlinger and this Texas offense should be too much to overcome. Add in TCU’s questionable quarterback situation, and this all adds up to the Horned Frogs’ first home loss of the season.

Result: Loss

Best of 2018-19: Oklahoma-TCU poised to become pivotal to Big 12 title race | Norman Transcript

Is this the year the Frogs finally win in Norman again.

• Why it’s No. 5: Oklahoma and TCU’s last two meetings in Norman put both on a national stage. Although, the Sooners have recently dominated the series.

OU leads its all-time series vs. TCU (14-5) and hasn’t lost to the Frogs since falling 37-33 in Fort Worth, Texas, on Oct. 4, 2014.

This one could still be a key game if OU is as good as advertised and the Horned Frogs make a positive turn following a turbulent 2018 season. This contest might also be especially difficult for OU, which has road games at Baylor and Oklahoma State sandwiching its home tilt with TCU.