TCU has boasted the top-ranked defense in the Big 12 more than half the seasons it’s been in it. The Frogs have never had worse than the fourth-ranked total defense since joining the league in 2012.

But TCU’s defense is struggling early on this season. The Frogs (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) are ranked No. 9 in the 10-team league, allowing 397 yards per game. Opponents are averaging more than 200 yards rushing on TCU.

Coach Gary Patterson acknowledged after Saturday’s loss to Texas that this year’s team isn’t playing “like a TCU defense.” The Frogs will try to get things going at Texas Tech this weekend, but it’s far from a given.

The Red Raiders are without starting quarterback Tyler Shough (collarbone) until at least November. Standout wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (concussion protocol) missed last weekend’s game, too. Still, Tech found a way to knock off West Virginia 23-20 in Morgantown.

The Red Raiders have the fourth-best offense in the Big 12 (438 yards per game) and offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie knows TCU and Patterson’s defense as well as anybody after spending seven years with the program (2014-20).

The good news for TCU is it continues to show flashes of improvement and players are on the mend. The Frogs have been without arguably their best defensive tackle, senior Corey Bethley, the past two games. Cornerback Noah Daniels returned to action for the first time on Saturday.

Saturday’s game also saw TCU lose its most versatile defensive back in T.J. Carter to a targeting penalty. That left the Frogs even more short-handed at safety, forcing them to go with either true freshman Da’Veawn Armstead or cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson at free safety.

But on the field the Frogs made promising plays. They held Texas to field goals after three giveaways. They made a pivotal stand on a fourth-and-goal from the TCU 1 in the fourth quarter to keep them alive. And defensive end Dylan Horton finished with two sacks, his first sacks of the season.

TCU’s pass rushers have struggled to get home early this season, but Patterson is high on the potential of Horton, Ochaun Mathis and Khari Coleman.

“Dylan keeps coming,” Patterson said. “Ochaun played wide. It was good to see Khari come back. I’ve been talking about Dylan for a little bit.

“It will really help when we get Corey back because we didn’t have an older guy inside.”

Through four games, TCU ranks eighth in the Big 12 with five sacks. Tech, meanwhile, has given up eight sacks in five games.

Horton and the rest of TCU’s defense is hoping to build off the positives from the Texas game.

“It does take a few games to get into a rhythm to pass rush. Hopefully this is the case,” Horton said. “We’re all trying to make plays.”

OU time TBD

The Big 12 is using the six-day window option for TCU’s game at Oklahoma on Oct. 16. Kickoff will either be at 11 a.m. or 6:30 p.m. Texas and Oklahoma State is the other game in the six-day window.

A decision will be made following this weekend’s games.

TCU’s D in Big 12

Drew Davison

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Drew Davison was a TCU and Big 12 sports writer for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram until 2022. He covered everything in DFW from Rangers to Cowboys to motor sports.