Grambling State @ Texas Christian preview

Texas Christian opens its first season as a member of the Big 12 Conference when it hosts Grambling State on Saturday. The No. 17 Horned Frogs, owners of the nation's longest winning streak at eight games, will be led by junior quarterback Casey Pachall, who admitted he had smoked marijuana and failed a drug test, but will not be suspended by the university. Pachall threw for a school-record 2,921 yards last season. He won't have starting wide receiver Skye Dawson at his disposal, though. Dawson was suspended for violating school policy. Texas Christian averaged 40.8 points - ninth in the country - en route to an 11-2 record in 2011. Grambling State lost its opener 22-21 to Southwestern Athletic Conference foe Alcorn State.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN LINE: None

ABOUT GRAMBLING STATE (0-1): The Tigers, coached by former NFL quarterback Doug Williams, led 21-9 after three quarters in their opener before their young defense wore down. They allowed a touchdown with 1:33 remaining to lose in heartbreaking fashion. Dawrence Roberts rushed for 98 yards in the first half before leaving the game with leg cramps. Roberts, the preseason SWAC Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for 1,102 yards and scored eight touchdowns while averaging 5.5 yards per carry in 2011. The Tigers muffed two punts inside their own 15-yard line last week, leading to nine Alcorn State points. The Tigers were picked to win the SWAC's Western Division in the preseason poll.

ABOUT TCU (2011: 11-2, 7-0 Mountain West): The Horned Frogs, who were picked to finish fifth in the Big 12, will again ride Pachall, whose numbers last season rivaled those of his predecessor - Andy Dalton. Pachall also set TCU season records for completions (228) and completion percentage (66.5) and fell two touchdown passes shy of Dalton's school mark of 27 set in 2010. Running backs Waymon James (team-leading 875 yards in 2011) and Matthew Tucker (team-best 12 touchdowns) return to ensure TCU has a balanced offense. James suffered an unspecified injury in practice this week, but coach Gary Patterson said he should be back on the field soon. Defensive end Stansly Maponga was TCU's only preseason Big 12 All-Conference selection. He was 24th in the nation with nine sacks and 10th in forced fumbles with five last season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. With a victory Saturday, Patterson will become the winningest coach in TCU history. He will surpass Dutch Meyer, who was 109-79-13 from 1934-52 and won national championships in 1935 and 1938. Patterson is 109-30 in 12 seasons.

2. The Horned Frogs are 77-2 under Patterson when holding opponents to 17 or fewer points.

3. Texas Christian has won 46 straight games when it has more rushing yardage than passing.

PREDICTION: TCU 45, Grambling State 17