Wyoming @ Texas Christian preview
Amon G. Carter Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 21, 2009 ) Texas Christian 45, Wyoming 10
At halftime last week against Colorado State, TCU coach Gary Patterson had to remind his team they were the fifth-ranked team in the country and that they needed to play like it. The Horned Frogs eventually did and cruised to victory.
Still, for a team with BCS aspirations, it was the second consecutive disappointing performance on the road. TCU (5-0), which returns home this week against Wyoming, will need to play significantly better the rest of the way to land in the BCS picture.
The Horned Frogs’ defense certainly wasn’t an issue in last weekend’s 27-0 victory over the Rams. In fact, it was the first road shutout in Patterson’s 10 years, and TCU allowed only 51 yards in the first half.
Sophomore linebacker Tanner Brock continued to shine in a starting role, recording a career-high 10 tackles. Senior safety Colin Jones came through with 3½ tackles for a loss.
This week, the TCU defense should be ready for whatever Wyoming could possibly throw at it. On the plane ride back from Colorado, Patterson was already watching film on the Cowboys, who rank 119 out of 120 FBS schools in total offense.
Offensively, the Horned Frogs looked impressive on the stat sheet Saturday, outgaining Colorado State 474 yards to 161. But, TCU managed only two field goals from Ross Evans in the first half before scoring three touchdowns in the second half.
TCU had two rushing scores from Ed Wesley and quarterback Andy Dalton had a 39-yard touchdown pass to Jimmy Young in the fourth quarter. Dalton’s scoring pass was the 50th of his career, setting a school record.
While Dalton is the leader on offense, the Horned Frogs will likely turn to their running game. After all, TCU rushed for 355 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-10 victory against Wyoming last season.
Wyoming, meanwhile, will try to build off its first road victory of the season after holding on for a 20-15 victory over Toledo last week.
The Cowboys built an early 14-0 lead, with Alverster Alexander scoring on a 13-yard run and wide receiver David Leonard throwing a 37-yard touchdown pass to fellow wide receiver Chris McNeill.
Wyoming added two field goals that proved to be enough to offset a late charge from Toledo.
The Cowboys’ defense has struggled for most of the season. The lowlight came three weeks ago, when the Cowboys gave up 51 points to Boise State. Therefore, that could serve as a benchmark as for what TCU would like to put up.
TCU is 27-1 in day games the past six seasons. The lone loss, though, was a 24-21 defeat at Wyoming in 2007.