UL Monroe @ Texas Christian preview

THE STORY: No. 23 TCU was the unfortunate loser in a thrilling 50-48 loss at Baylor on college football’s opening weekend, and many were wondering what had happened to the Horned Frogs’ vaunted defense. TCU returned only eight starters from last year’s Rose Bowl-winning team, including only five on defense, and is aiming for its fourth straight 11-win season. Louisiana-Monroe, meanwhile, is in search of its first bowl appearance in program history. This is the first meeting between these two schools, but ULM coach Todd Berry was the Army head coach from 2000 to 2003, where he went 0-3 against TCU.

TV: None Line: TCU -29

ABOUT LOUISIANA-MONROE (1-1): The Warhawks pride themselves on having a great run defense, having finished No. 1 in the Sun Belt Conference the last two years, and they’ve allowed only 59 rushing yards per game through the first two weeks. ULM gave up only four total first downs in a 35-7 win over Grambling State last week. The Warhawks are 0-5 all-time against the Mountain West Conference, with four losses to Wyoming and one to UNLV.

ABOUT TCU (1-1): The Horned Frogs gave up 50 points in the loss to Baylor, the most points they had allowed since giving up 50 in a win against BYU in 2005. However, TCU’s defense got back on track in last week’s 35-19 road victory over Air Force, holding the Falcons out of the end zone through the first 2 ½ quarters while the offense built a 25-point lead. The Horned Frogs haven’t played against a Sun Belt team since 2002, when they defeated North Texas 16-10.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. TCU has won nine straight home openers under Patterson and has allowed 13 points or less in six of them.

2. The Horned Frogs have won 28 of their last 30 games and are 37-4 over the last three seasons.

3. ULM is 0-21 all-time against ranked opponents.

PREDICTION: TCU 51, Louisiana-Monroe 13. The Horned Frogs got a much-needed confidence boost with last week’s win, and should have no trouble routing the inferior Warhawks.