By Kevin Lonnquist
Publisher
For the 118th time, Baylor and TCU meet in a game that has national implications.
It’s Senior Day for the Bears (11:00 am, FOX).
The No. 4 Horned Frogs have already clinched a berth to the Big 12 title game Dec. 3 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Baylor has a tiny window to get there but so many things have to fall its way in order for it to happen.
TCU (10-0, 7-0) played its best defensive game of the season last week in Austin when it beat Texas, 17-10. Baylor (6-4, 4-3) is coming off its toughest outing when it lost to Kansas State, 31-3.
A look at the Horned Frogs.
Opponent: TCU Horned Frogs
Head Coach: Sonny Dykes (10-0 1st season, 81-63 12 seasons overall)
2022 Record: 10-0, 7-0
Record vs. Baylor: TCU leads, 57-53-7
Returning Starters: 14 total starters back
Key Returners: QB Max Duggan/Chandler Morris, WR Quentin Johnson, WR Derius Davis, DL Dylan Horton, NT Soni Misi, LB Dee Winters
Common Denominator: From 1895-1910, TCU was located in Waco before returning to Fort Worth.
Offensive Formation: One-back
Defensive Formation: 3-3-5
About TCU on Offense: It’s a new lease on life for QB Max Duggan. He’s likely the odd’s on favorite to win Big 12 Player of the Year. He’s had a banner season throwing for 2,531 yards, 25 TDs and completing nearly 66 percent of his passes. TCU’s offense is explosive. There have have been at least seven pass plays cover 30 yards or more and three different touchdown runs of 63, 67 and 75. Receivers Quentin Johnston and Taye Barber average 15.9 and 17.7 yards respectively. Running back Kendre Miller is at 1,137 yards for the season and averaging 6.6 yards per carry. TCU backs are averaging more than five yards per carry. TCU scores 40 points and 486 yards of total offense per game.
About TCU on Defense: First-year DC Joe Gillespie (former Stephenville HC) came from Tulsa and has immediately made an impact. The Horned Frogs completely shut down Texas last week holding Bijan Robinson to only 29 yards. They have forced 14 turnovers and collected 21 sacks and allow 377 yards per game. Linebackers Johnny Hodges and Jamoi Hodge lead the defense in tackles with 66 and 57 respectively. They each also have six TFLs. But LB Dee Winters is in the runner for Big 12 defensive player of the year 9.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. DL Dylan Horton is second with four sacks. DB Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson (Baylor remembers him from 2021) has three INTs.
About TCU on Special Teams: It’s been a solid year for PK Griffin Kell. He’s 11-12 on FGs with the only miss from 36 against Tarleton State and is 43-44 on PATs. Punter Jordy Sandy is just OK at better than 39 yards per effort. Derius Davis is trouble in the punt return game. He’s returned two for scores and is averaging nearly 14 yards per return. Davis also is the primary kick returner. TCU will be without blocking TE Dominic DiNunzio. He's considered important in the return game for blocking up front.
Bottom Line: When you’re 10-0, you do a lot of things well. That’s why TCU is in the national playoff conversation at the fourth slot. The Horned Frogs have committed only seven turnovers and are +7 in turnover ratio so far. They keep their penalties respectable at 47.2 yards per game. If a team is going to beat them, it must play an air-tight game and catch a couple of breaks. So far, no one has been able to do that.
Publisher
For the 118th time, Baylor and TCU meet in a game that has national implications.
It’s Senior Day for the Bears (11:00 am, FOX).
The No. 4 Horned Frogs have already clinched a berth to the Big 12 title game Dec. 3 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Baylor has a tiny window to get there but so many things have to fall its way in order for it to happen.
TCU (10-0, 7-0) played its best defensive game of the season last week in Austin when it beat Texas, 17-10. Baylor (6-4, 4-3) is coming off its toughest outing when it lost to Kansas State, 31-3.
A look at the Horned Frogs.
Opponent: TCU Horned Frogs
Head Coach: Sonny Dykes (10-0 1st season, 81-63 12 seasons overall)
2022 Record: 10-0, 7-0
Record vs. Baylor: TCU leads, 57-53-7
Returning Starters: 14 total starters back
Key Returners: QB Max Duggan/Chandler Morris, WR Quentin Johnson, WR Derius Davis, DL Dylan Horton, NT Soni Misi, LB Dee Winters
Common Denominator: From 1895-1910, TCU was located in Waco before returning to Fort Worth.
Offensive Formation: One-back
Defensive Formation: 3-3-5
About TCU on Offense: It’s a new lease on life for QB Max Duggan. He’s likely the odd’s on favorite to win Big 12 Player of the Year. He’s had a banner season throwing for 2,531 yards, 25 TDs and completing nearly 66 percent of his passes. TCU’s offense is explosive. There have have been at least seven pass plays cover 30 yards or more and three different touchdown runs of 63, 67 and 75. Receivers Quentin Johnston and Taye Barber average 15.9 and 17.7 yards respectively. Running back Kendre Miller is at 1,137 yards for the season and averaging 6.6 yards per carry. TCU backs are averaging more than five yards per carry. TCU scores 40 points and 486 yards of total offense per game.
About TCU on Defense: First-year DC Joe Gillespie (former Stephenville HC) came from Tulsa and has immediately made an impact. The Horned Frogs completely shut down Texas last week holding Bijan Robinson to only 29 yards. They have forced 14 turnovers and collected 21 sacks and allow 377 yards per game. Linebackers Johnny Hodges and Jamoi Hodge lead the defense in tackles with 66 and 57 respectively. They each also have six TFLs. But LB Dee Winters is in the runner for Big 12 defensive player of the year 9.5 TFLs and 6.5 sacks. DL Dylan Horton is second with four sacks. DB Tre’vius Hodges-Tomlinson (Baylor remembers him from 2021) has three INTs.
About TCU on Special Teams: It’s been a solid year for PK Griffin Kell. He’s 11-12 on FGs with the only miss from 36 against Tarleton State and is 43-44 on PATs. Punter Jordy Sandy is just OK at better than 39 yards per effort. Derius Davis is trouble in the punt return game. He’s returned two for scores and is averaging nearly 14 yards per return. Davis also is the primary kick returner. TCU will be without blocking TE Dominic DiNunzio. He's considered important in the return game for blocking up front.
Bottom Line: When you’re 10-0, you do a lot of things well. That’s why TCU is in the national playoff conversation at the fourth slot. The Horned Frogs have committed only seven turnovers and are +7 in turnover ratio so far. They keep their penalties respectable at 47.2 yards per game. If a team is going to beat them, it must play an air-tight game and catch a couple of breaks. So far, no one has been able to do that.
