TCU football hoping to regain home-field advantage Saturday against Texas Tech
TCU football had 59 scholarship players available when coach Gary Patterson met with the media for his weekly news conference Tuesday.
Patterson said the program had 26 players out from a combination of injuries, transfer portal and opting out. Some were bigger losses than others such as season-ending injuries to starting cornerback Noah Daniels and offensive lineman Wes Harris.
But, as Patterson said, “I like the guys that are here. They really want to win. As you saw on film and watched [the Baylor game], they played their tails off.”
With that being said, the Frogs will be motivated to string together consecutive wins for the first time in more than a year. TCU started 2-0 last season with victories over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (Aug. 31, 2019) and Purdue (Sept. 14, 2019) before struggling to a 5-7 season.
TCU (2-3, 2-3 Big 12) welcomes a Texas Tech (2-4, 1-4 Big 12) program that has lost four of its last five. Here are five things to watch:
Containing Colombi
Texas Tech has handed the QB keys over to junior Henry Colombi. He’s a dual-threat quarterback who has shown flashes passing the ball as well as running. The Frogs must contain Colombi and prevent big plays.
Despite a blowout loss to Oklahoma last week, Colombi connected with Travis Koontz for a 75-yard TD.
TCU has to find ways to get pressure on Colombi, which is easier said than done. Tech has allowed the fewest sacks per game (1.17) among Big 12 teams.
Airing it out
TCU has the second-fewest passing touchdowns (six) in the Big 12, and ranks sixth in pass offense. The Frogs have to find ways to improve their passing game this week. If they can’t do it this week, it might not come this season.
The Red Raiders have the worst pass defense in the Big 12, allowing 339.2 yards per game.
The last time TCU quarterback Max Duggan threw for 300 yards? It was in TCU’s 33-31 victory at Texas Tech last season.
Establishing the run
In order to have success in the passing game, Patterson said this week, TCU has to establish the running game. The Frogs have hit the 200-yard rushing mark in both of their victories this season.
Prized freshman Zach Evans appears to be settling in, running for 81 yards with one TD on seven carries last week at Baylor. Redshirt freshman Darwin Barlow has run the ball well, too, topping the 100-yard mark for the first time in his young career at Baylor (117 yards on 16 carries).
Special teams factor
TCU received a boost from its special teams at Baylor, courtesy of a 67-yard punt return by Derius Davis. That helped the Frogs jump out to an early 14-0 lead.
Kicker Griffin Kell made both of his field goal attempts, too, after missing attempts the previous two games against K-State and Oklahoma.
With this game being decided by a field goal or less in four of the last five games, special teams could play a pivotal role in determining the winner.
Home-field advantage
Patterson is 89-27 in home games throughout his career. That’s a 77% winning percentage in Fort Worth.
But the Frogs are 0-3 at home so far this season, and were 3-3 at home last season. So blame can’t be placed solely on the coronavirus pandemic limiting capacity crowds at home games.
Patterson acknowledged the team must bring more energy when it plays at home, and players acknowledged they have to “protect their house” better.
