Could Baylor be TCU's new Slump Buster?
The Horned Frogs, desperate for a win after sliding to 2-3 after last week's loss against BYU, returned to the .500 mark with a 17-6 victory over their rival Bears. While the game was largely a rock fight in the opening half, where TCU clung to a one-point lead, the Horned Frogs picked up some steam in the second half. Jordan Dwyer caught six passes for a team-high 150 yards and logged his second 100-yard receiving game since returning from his foot injury. Ed Small's consistent play continued with eight catches for 71 yards and one touchdown. Jaden Craig, bad interception and all, finished with 294 passing yards and two touchdowns, running his total to 1,694 yards.
The result was the first Big 12 win of the season for the Horned Frogs, who continue to play some of the most dominant defense in the conference. Koron Hayward led the pass rush with a team-best three sacks, top safety Jamel Johnson snagged an interception and young stud rusher Chad Woodfork earned a sack. TCU shut the Baylor rushing offense down, holding the Bears to 54 yards on 34 attempts (1.6 yards per carry). The Frogs also held Florida quarterback transfer DJ Lagway to 22-of-53 passing (41.5%), less than 5 yards per attempt.
With the win, TCU retains the Bluebonnet Battle trophy and extends its streak of dominance against the Bears, who're now just 2-10 against the Horned Frogs in their last 12 contests. It was also a desperately-needed win for TCU, which risked falling to the basement of the Big 12 and further into obscurity had it fallen to 0-3. With West Virginia and Kansas next on the schedule, TCU has a real opportunity to build momentum entering November.
But the run game must improve. When TCU hired offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis, who built a strong offensive line and run game at UConn, expectations for a more potent rushing attack were higher after Kendal Briles departed for South Carolina. But the Horned Frogs ran for a measly 33 yards on 30 attempts against Baylor and lead back Jeremy Payne took just one carry before leaving with an injury. Payne (88 carries, 429 yards, two touchdowns) has performed when called upon, but the team as a whole is averaging just 3.3 yards.
Jon Denman (29 carries, 90 yards) is averaging 3.1 yards per carry in his sophomore season. Division II transfer Landon Walker stepped up late in the Baylor game, but has seldom been used this year. Joe Pitchford, a walk-on, is the only other back who's earned meaningful carries this season. With eligibility issues no longer a concern, TCU must strongly consider getting standout freshmen Amante Martin and G'Ivori Graham more involved. Martin was one of the program's top recruits and fared well in limited action earlier this season.
TCU also needs better play from its offensive line. Head coach Sonny Dykes said the team rotated some of its starters around before the Baylor game, with Noah McKinney moving from right to left guard, Witten Van Hoy taking his place, Kilian Registe taking over at right tackle and seventh-year guard Cade Bennett hitting the pine. The changes didn't do much, as Craig was sacked four times against the Bears. Craig was also sacked four times against BYU and four times against UCF. Don't be surprised if more changes are coming for the O-line.
