Analysis: A first look at TCU’s 2023 schedule
How could Sonny Dykes follow up a year where he led TCU to a national championship game appearance in his first season as head coach?
With the release of the 2023 schedule, the Horned Frogs’ slate sets up for another strong year for Dykes assuming TCU is able to reload.
The Horned Frogs will have to replace stars Max Duggan, Quentin Johnston, Kendre Miller, Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson, Steve Avila and countless more. There are some clear answers as who will step up such as Chandler Morris at quarterback, but there are still some unknowns on both sides of the ball.
However, TCU returns 11 starters including seven on defense. Josh Newton, Mark Perry and Johnny Hodges are among the key returners on defense.
Losing big-time players like that group is tough, but the Horned Frogs return more experience than some may realize and Dykes feel good about the quarterback situation with Morris. With seven home games, the 2023 schedule sets up nicely for another strong season.
Let’s take a look:
Week 1 vs. Colorado on Saturday, Sept. 2
Easily the most intriguing game on the schedule, the Buffaloes also have a ton of unknowns in Deion Sanders’ first year as head coach. The NFL Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboys star has reshaped the roster in one off-season.
Colorado has the No. 5 transfer class in the country with 23 transfers including his son Shedeur at quarterback and former five-star cornerback Travis Hunter. Sanders also snagged the No. 1 cornerback recruit in the country Cormani McClain.
This one could be much tougher than TCU’s season opener in Boulder last year. The experience defensively will be key for the Horned Frogs.
Week 2 vs. Nicholls on Saturday, Sept. 9
Not much to say about this one. Whatever happens in Week One, this will serve as an opportunity for the Horned Frogs to work out some kinks and get some younger players some experience.
Week 3 at Houston, Saturday, Sept. 16
TCU gets the task of welcoming the Cougars to the Big 12 for the first road game of the season. Houston isn’t known to have an overwhelming home field advantage, but it could be different for the Cougars’ debut in a new conference. Houston was one of the biggest disappointments in the country last season after being a trendy pick to make a New Year’s Six Bowl in their final season in the American.
The Cougars fell to both Kansas and Texas Tech last season. It could be a tough adjustment year for Houston.
Week 4 vs. SMU on Saturday, Sept. 23
The Mustangs also hit the transfer portal hard and have the No. 6 transfer class in the country with 17 transfers. Only two are four-stars, but SMU is using a quantity over quality approach. The Mustangs did lose Tanner Mordecai to Wisconsin and star receiver Rashee Rice is gone as well. Quarterback Preston Stone is viewed as the future for the Mustangs.
Week 5 vs. West Virginia on Saturday, Sept. 30
WVU coach Neal Brown could be fighting for his job depending on how the first quarter of the season goes for the Mountaineers. WVU pushed TCU in Morgantown last season with the Horned Frogs escaping in the fourth. The running back duo of Tony Mathis Jr. and CJ Donaldson Jr. is legit, but there are still holes on the roster West Virginia has to address.
Week 6 at Iowa State on Saturday, Oct. 7
This game is tricky. The Cyclones were bad last season despite having one of the best defenses in the country. TCU smoked Iowa State 62-14 in the regular-season finale. Hunter Dekkers is back at quarterback but leading receiver Xavier Hutchinson is gone. The Cyclones have just two transfers incoming with the No. 38 recruiting class. TCU hasn’t won in Ames since 2015.
Week 7 vs. BYU on Saturday, Oct. 14
It’s the first matchup between the former Mountain West rivals since 2011. TCU holds the edge all-time with a 6-5 record. The Cougars went a respectable 8-5 last year and beat Baylor at home, but will have to replace star quarterback Jaren Hall. TCU has won the last four matchups.
Week 8 at Kansas State on Saturday, Oct. 21
Like TCU, the Wildcats have to replace stars like Deuce Vaughn, Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Julius Brents. But Kansas State will have quarterback Will Howard as the starter for the whole season and he made the Wildcats into a different team. He led the Kansas State to a win over TCU in the Big 12 championship.
Week 9, open date
Week 10 at Texas Tech on Thursday, Nov. 2
The Red Raiders have something brewing in Lubbock after a strong debut season under Joey McGuire. Texas Tech had a revolving door at quarterback, but should have more stability in 2023. But the Red Raiders are losing potential first rounder Tyree Wilson as an edge rusher.
Week 11 vs. Texas on Saturday, Nov. 11
Stop me if you heard this before, but the Longhorns will be the Big 12 favorites next season. The Longhorns have a top-three recruiting class and added a few transfers that should be instant starters. Quinn Ewers will ultimately decide the ceiling of Texas after an uneven first year as a starter. He’ll also have super recruit Arch Manning breathing down his shoulder.
Steve Sarkisian is just 4-7 on the road in his tenure.
Week 12 vs. Baylor on Saturday, Nov. 18
The Bears almost knocked the Horned Frogs out of the College Football Playoff last year as TCU relied on a heroic field goal as time expired to avoid an upset. The Bears are looking to bounce back after a disappointing season with plenty of experience returning on both sides of the ball.
Week 13 at Oklahoma on Friday, Nov. 24
Expect a bounce back year for the Sooners. Five of Oklahoma’s seven losses were by a single possession including four by three points. Some of those games should go Oklahoma’s way in 2023 and the Sooners have the top quarterback in the conference with Dillon Gabriel. Oklahoma has a top-five recruiting class and a top-10 transfer class.
