Four things to know about TCU’s next opponent, No. 7 Texas
Last season, TCU’s matchup with Texas had college football playoff implications and was one of the top Big 12 games of the year.
This year’s matchup does as well, but it’s the Horned Frogs who will try to play spoiler. TCU comes into the marquee in-state battle limping with a 4-5 record and a two-game losing skid at the hands of Kansas State and Texas Tech.
Meanwhile the Longhorns survived an overtime thriller with Kansas State and are one step closer to the Big 12 championship game. Texas is also in the thick of the College Football Playoff race and can’t afford a loss if it wants to be one of the final four teams.
Here are four things to know about TCU’s next opponent, Texas:
Another backup quarterback?
The Horned Frogs have faced a second-string quarterback in two straight games and that’s likely to continue on Saturday. Maalik Murphy has started the last two Texas games in the place of the injured Quinn Ewers. Murphy was a blue-chip prospect in the Class of 2022 and is a big, strong-armed quarterback.
However he’s also inexperienced and has shown that in his two starts. Murphy has a low quarterback rating of 45.6 and has accounted four four turnovers in two games. He was terrific in the first half against Kansas State, but was also the big reason the Wildcats were able to get back in the game.
Despite his big frame, Texas hasn’t elected to use Murphy as a runner yet this season. Murphy will take his shots down the field, but he’ll also put the ball in harm’s way.
Another elite running back
After facing a top-10 running back against Texas Tech, now TCU will deal with a top-five rusher in Texas star running back Jonathon Brooks. Brooks has done an impeccable job of replacing first-round NFL draft pick Bijan Robinson and he’s currently No. 5 in the NCAA in rushing.
Brooks has already gone over the 1,000 yard mark with 1,035 while averaging more than six yards per carry. Brooks has scored eight touchdowns and is also a factor in the passing game with at least four receptions in three of the last four games. When Brooks isn’t on the field, Texas turns to five-star freshman C.J. Baxter.
Baxter is averaging almost five yards per carry and scored three touchdowns in what’s been a promising start to his career. The Horned Frogs will have their hands full trying to slow down this rushing attack.
Explosive receivers
The TCU secondary will have its biggest challenge of the season with a talented and extremely fast Texas receiver group. Xavier Worthy is likely the Big 12’s top receiver and has also become a dynamic punt returner in his third season in Austin. With 620 yards and four touchdowns, Worthy is Texas’ big-play weapon and could be an All-American for the second time in his career.
Georgia transfer Adonai Mitchell was one of the few transfers to earn a five-star grade and showed why with a breakout season. Mitchell leads the receivers with eight touchdowns and also has 576 yards. He’s a big, strong receiver that can also take the top of the defense. Then let’s not forget about the best tight end in the Big 12, Ja’Tavion Sanders.
Sanders was Texas’ top receiver a year ago when the two teams squared off and he could be a big factor on Saturday when he’s matched up with a slower linebacker or smaller safety. Finally, the Longhorns’ fourth option is Jordan Whittington. His production has dropped with Mitchell on campus, but last season he almost had 700 yards and now he’s the fourth option? That shows how special this receiver group is.
A better defense
The Longhorns aren’t elite defensively, but they are a good unit across the board with playmakers on each level. On the season Texas is allowing 17.6 points per game, but better competition like Oklahoma and Kansas State were able to score 30 points or more. Even Houston was able to score 24 points against this defense, so there will be opportunities if TCU can stay out of its own way and find a way to block the Longhorns up front.
Defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat will make that a challenge as he’s a load to handle and is second on the team with 6.5 tackles for loss. He consistently won his battles with the interior of the Kansas State offensive line and we know how good the Wildcats are up front. At linebacker former Denton Ryan star Anthony Hill and Jaylan Ford may just be the best linebacker duo in the Big 12. Ford leads the team with 65 tackles and 10 tackles for loss while Hill has three sacks and is already top three on the team in sacks as a freshman.
The secondary can be had at times, but that’s if the opposing offensive line can withstand the pass rush. For a TCU offense looking to get into a groove this isn’t the ideal opponent to be facing right now.
