Snyder says TCU better than record suggests

Kansas State football coach Bill Snyder has watched enough videotape of TCU in recent days to conclude that the Horned Frogs (6-5, 4-4 in Big 12), when healthy, are way more than a borderline bowl qualifier. And these Frogs project to be as healthy as they have been in recent weeks when the Wildcats (7-4, 5-3) arrive for Saturday’s game in Fort Worth (11 a.m., FS1).

“When you go back and look at how close the majority of their games were, they could very easily be a nine- or eight-win football team right now,” Snyder said during Monday’s conference call with Big 12 football coaches. “Injuries have been a factor for them.”

Injuries, along with ill-timed turnovers, have contributed to TCU’s 1-3 record in games decided by a touchdown or less this season. A year ago, TCU was 6-1 in such contests.

Kansas State is 3-2 in games decided by a touchdown or less this season, including a 44-38 victory over a Texas Tech team that prevailed, 27-24, in double overtime during its Oct. 29 game in Fort Worth.

Snyder expressed concern about matching up against a defense led by coach Gary Patterson that allows the fewest yards per play of any Big 12 team (5.3) and an offense that averages more than 200 yards per game on the ground (201.6) and through the air (291.1).

“They’re as hard as anyone to play against,” Snyder said. “Gary always does a great job coaching that defense. Kenny Hill moves around well and creates a lot of problems for you in the running game and the passing game.”

This story was originally published November 29, 2016 at 8:58 AM with the headline "Snyder says TCU better than record suggests."