Virginia @ Texas Christian preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2009 ) Texas Christian 30, Virginia 14

Coming off a sloppy victory in its Big 12 Conference debut, host No. 16 TCU puts its nation-longest 10-game winning streak on the line Saturday against a Virginia squad that was flattened in its ACC opener. Playing in the comforts of home, where the Horned Frogs are 39-3 over the past eight seasons, they'll need to protect the ball better after losing four fumbles in last Saturday's 20-6 win over Kansas. The Cavaliers must step up their defensive effort or risk being torched by TCU's Casey Pachall, whose nation-leading passer rating is an eye-popping 242.4 – the junior is 33-of-39 for 536 yards and five touchdowns in two games. Virginia gave up 60 or more yards on three of Georgia Tech's first four plays and allowed 594 yards in last week's 56-20 thumping.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN, ESPN 3D Line: TCU -17.5.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (2-1, 0-1 ACC): The Cavaliers are lucky to have a winning record – before Georgia Tech they survived four missed field goals to nip Penn State. They fell behind 49-7 before backup quarterback Phillip Sims threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes, but coach Mike London said, “there's no quarterback controversy with us,” when asked if junior Michael Rocco (61-for-95, 712 yards, four TDs, three interceptions) would remain the starter. Sophomore Kevin Parks led the team in rushing (13 carries, 53 yards) and receiving (three catches, 34 yards) last week. Classmate Khalek Shepherd had a 72-yard kickoff return and four carries for 33 yards.

ABOUT TCU (2-0, 1-0 Big 12): The Horned Frogs were dealt a blow when leading rusher Waymon James was ruled out for the season Wednesday due to a left knee injury. He had 168 rushing yards on 9.9 per carry. This could be more of a barometer for Gary Patterson's young club, which rolled past Grambling State before withstanding the Big 12's predicted cellar-dwelling Jayhawks. The Frogs, who have played more true freshmen (15) than scholarship seniors (11), haven't yielded a touchdown since last season. Sophomore LB Joel Hasley led the stout defense against Kansas with 12 tackles and two sacks, earning Big 12 defensive player of the week honors. Junior WR Josh Boyce will set the school's career record with his next touchdown catch (he's at 17) and has 168 receiving yards and two scores this season.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The series is tied 1-1, with Virginia winning the 1994 Independence Bowl 20-10 and TCU taking the 2009 season opener in Charlottesville 30-14. Each team has seven players who saw action in that game.

2. An 11 a.m. local kickoff time marks TCU's first pre-noon home start since Sept. 16, 2000.

3. Virginia was outgained 461-98 on the ground against Georgia Tech, and has failed to crack 300 yards total offense in back-to-back games for the first time since 2009.

PREDICTION: TCU 31, Virginia 13