What to watch as TCU travels to West Virginia
TCU coach Gary Patterson is used to opposing coaches buttering him up these days.
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley called him one of the great defensive minds in the game. West Virginia coach Neal Brown followed suit this week, declaring Patterson the best defensive coach in the country.
“I would say that if we weren’t playing him this week,” Brown told reporters. “I mean that over a long period of time, especially playing in this conference since 2012. It is really impressive. And I have a lot of respect for how he has run his program and what he has done in Fort Worth.”
Patterson appreciated the comment, of course, but smiled and said: “You know, those offensive guys, they’re always trying to set me up. I don’t listen to it.”
Instead, Patterson is focused on his own team and trying to get the Horned Frogs (3-3) over .500 when they visit the Mountaineers (4-3) on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. in Morgantown.
Here’s five things to watch going into it:
Passing game improvement
TCU has won at least one game the past four seasons when it threw for less than 100 yards, including last week’s victory over Texas Tech. The Horned Frogs had just 73 yards passing. It was the third game in which they failed to throw for more than 200 yards this season.
Quarterback Max Duggan acknowledged he has to do a better job throwing the ball. Patterson said the receivers can’t afford to drop passes, either.
It’ll be an uphill battle against West Virginia, the Big 12’s top-ranked defense that leads the league with nine interceptions, but TCU has to make strides in the passing game.
Running game matters
As much as the passing game has struggled, and must improve, TCU has found success running the ball in its three victories. The Frogs have topped the 200-yard mark in victories over Texas, Baylor and Texas Tech.
Duggan is a threat with his legs, showcasing his speed with 154 yards rushing and three TDs against the Red Raiders. Darwin Barlow and Zach Evans have emerged as the primary backs the past two weeks, too, as both had double-digit carries vs. Tech.
Containing Brown
West Virginia running back Leddie Brown has four 100-yard rushing games this season. TCU is well aware of that and the importance of slowing him down.
The Frogs have struggled at times containing the run, ranking sixth in the Big 12 in rushing defense, but they haven’t allowed a 100-yard rusher in any of their wins.
As far as Brown, Patterson described him as “very physical and his his speed is very deceiving.”
“He can get after you,” Patterson said. “We have to be able to tackle. If we want to have a chance to win, you have to tackle a lot better than what we did a year ago.”
Brown is battling an injury going into the game, but Brown said he is hopeful the running back is able to play this week.
Cornerback concerns
TCU has a depleted cornerback corps with injuries and opt outs. Patterson joked that he may even have to take some reps at cornerback.
“I might pull something just running out there before they even snap the ball,” Patterson said, smiling.
In all seriousness, Patterson has a plan and feels the Frogs will be OK. Patterson sounded optimistic about the status of Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson going into this week, and mentioned that the program has been fine moving players from different positions to add depth.
Former receiver Deante Gray started a game at cornerback for the Frogs in 2016, for instance.
“It won’t be our first rodeo,” Patterson said.
Turnover watch
Interceptions weren’t hard to come by when these programs met last season. They combined to throw five interceptions on the day, including three by WVU’s Jarret Doege and two by Duggan.
Doege and Duggan have improved, though, and have taken care of the ball better. Still, the turnover battle will be something to watch on Saturday.
The Mountaineers have 10 takeaways and nine giveaways compared to TCU’s six takeaways and six giveaways this season.
This story was originally published November 13, 2020 at 5:00 AM.
