College Football Game of the Week: No. 4 TCU vs. No. 18 Texas
The battle for the Big 12 takes a trip to Austin, Texas where No. 4 TCU looks to keep their undefeated season alive against No. 18 Texas. The two storied programs write another chapter on Nov. 12 with bigger implications on the line.
TCU (9-0, 6-0 Big 12)
Win, and they’re in.
It’s been an improbable season for the No. 4 TCU Horned Frogs. Sitting at 9-0, and 6-0 in Big 12 play, the Horned Frogs have a path to make the College Football Playoffs for the first time in program history. The road to SoFi Stadium is simple: win and they’re in.
The Horned Frogs will matchup with arguably their toughest opponent yet, No. 18 Texas on the road. First-year coach Sonny Dykes has constructed unique offensive scheme centered around quarterback Max Duggan, running back Kendre Miller and wide receiver Quentin Johnson,
With the success of TCU this season, Duggan has been a trending name in the Heisman race. The senior from Council Bluffs, IA has connected for 536 yards and five touchdowns on only one interception in the past two games.
The formula for a successful quarterback begins from the offensive line, and the Frogs up front have allowed only five sacks in the past two matchups.
Duggan is hoping for a return from his number one wide out Quentin Johnson who is ruled questionable for Saturday’s matchup with an ankle injury.
Johnson’s last matchup was on Oct. 29 against West Virginia and he still leads the team in receptions with 42, and reception yards, 650. If Johnson is able to suit-up against Texas, the Frogs’ offense will thrive.
Wide receivers Taye Barber and Darius Davis will be the lead wide outs if Johnson is ruled out against the Longhorns.
TCU will also lean on its star running back Kendre Miller for a majority of the offense. Miller sits atop the Big 12 rankings in rush yards per attempt and is tied with Texas running back Bijan Robinson with 12 rushing touchdowns.
Miller and Robinson are amongst the elite running backs in the nation and will be a great matchup to watch in Austin. Miller, a senior from Mount Enterprise, Texas, has scored in every game for the Horned Frogs and is looking to continue that streak.
Texas (6-3, 4-2 Big 12)
The No. 18 Texas Longhorns have had a strong season under second-year coach Steve Sarkisian and are looking to finish atop the Big 12 conference with a win. The Longhorns have one of the best stadium atmospheres in college football and are 5-1 when they play in Austin at DKR Texas Memorial Stadium.
The ‘Horns offensive game plan is very similar to TCU’s as they focus heavily on the ground game. Although Quarterback Quinn Ewers is not as strong as TCU’s Max Duggan, the Longhorns are still able to have success in the air game.
Ewers has not been the sharpest of late as he has thrown five interceptions this season, three of them came on the road against No. 11 Oklahoma State. Ewers’ has not given a ton of production to his receivers either.
Lead wideout Xavier Worthy has eclipsed 100 receiving yards only once this season, but has found the endzone quite often. Worthy has been a solid piece in the Horns’ offense as he has contributed with five touchdowns in the last three matchups.
The sophomore from Fresno, California is looking to produce at home in front of a passionate fanbase.
It's rare to find an impactful pass-catching tight end in college football, but Texas’ Ja’Tavion Sanders has been a big resource this season. Sanders is second on the team in receptions with 39, and finds the ball nearly five times a game.
Sanders has been averaging 59.5 receiving yards in the past four games. Though the stats may not be among the best in the nation, Sanders still provides the ‘Horns with valuable receiving abilities.
The star of the Longhorns offense, Running back Bijan Robinson, has been phenomenal this season. Robinson leads the Big 12 in Touchdowns, rushing yards and rushing attempts as he’s been relied on heavily this season.
Robinson touched his season-high in yards on the ground with 209 last weekend against No. 13 Kansas State. With the ball in his hand, Robinson has accounted for four touchdowns in the last four games. If the Longhorns want to make a statement win against the top-ranked Horned Frogs, the ball needs to be in Robinson’s hand for 25-30 carries.
Prediction: No. 4 TCU 38, No. 18 Texas 26
Jasper Abrahams is a first-year studying public relations. To contact him, please email jpa5778@psu.edu.
