Why Texas Tech will present a different challenge to TCU football on Saturday
TCU has already faced many of the best running backs in the Big 12 and while the Horned Frogs will face another one against Texas Tech, the Red Raiders will also present a different challenge.
For the first time this season, the Horned Frogs will be matched against a prolific passing offense and an under manned secondary that has put up good numbers will finally be able to test itself without starting corner Avery Helm and key reserve Vernon Glover.
Led by veteran quarterback Behren Morton, the Red Raiders are averaging over 292 passing yards per game. Morton has thrown 17 touchdowns and just three interceptions. The junior quarterback has three games this season with three touchdown passes or more.
TCU is familiar with Morton, having faced him the last two seasons, but he’s playing at a different level in the eyes of Sonny Dykes.
“I think he’s much improved. I think they’ve settled in with him at quarterback,” Dykes said Tuesday. “He’s taken a lot better care of the ball than he did last year. He’s not turning it over it all. He just seems more decisive, you can tell he has more experience.”
At this point Morton will be the best the quarterback TCU has faced. Stanford, UCF, Houston, Kansas and Utah were all dealing with quarterback issues from injuries to efficiency while SMU’s Kevin Jennings wasn’t asked to do much to beat the Horned Frogs in Dallas.
But Morton has what it takes to carry Texas Tech to a win and he’s had to do a lot of heavy lifting due to the defensive struggles of a defense that ranks near the bottom of the Big 12 in most major categories.
Morton is surrounded by plenty of weapons led by running back Tahj Brooks, who Dykes said he believes is one of the best players in the country. His receivers are also talented, led by Washington State transfer Josh Kelly and former TCU recruiting target Coy Eakin.
“They’re good players, I like all their receivers,” Dykes said. “They’ve got three guys that to me stand out. They’re all different, they’re good route runners, they all have good ball skills and they’re savvy guys. I think that’s the one thing to me that stands out about the receiver core. They know how to get open, they can attack the ball in the air.
“That’s a good receiving core across the board and I think probably the deepest and best we’ve faced so far this season.”
Kelly and Eakin have combined for 929 yards and eight touchdowns. Caleb Douglas is the second-leading receiver on the team with 419 yards and four touchdowns. There’s also five-star Micah Hudson coming off the bench as a key reserve.
As Dykes said, it’s the deepest group TCU has seen so far this season with only Kansas having a comparable group. Jayhawks quarterback Jalon Daniels only threw for 179 yards when he faced the TCU secondary, but it was more about his inaccuracy than the inability of Kansas receivers to get open.
Morton is a more accurate passer and the Red Raiders run a quarterback friendly offense that will allow him to build his confidence early in the game.
The best way for TCU to slow down Texas Tech will be with its pass rush, which dominated against Utah. The Red Raiders have a solid offensive line that has given up nine sacks this season, which ranks in the middle of the pack in the league.
Edge rushers like Marcel Brooks know how important it is to apply pressure to the pocket, especially with TCU being undermanned at cornerback.
“Our edge room works really hard,” Brooks said. “(Andy) Avalos preached to us about being able to work different pass moves. We did a really good job on Saturday showing that we can pass rush at a high level and get after those guys.”
Limiting Morton’s impact on the game will be crucial as the Horned Frogs will already have their hands full with Brooks, who has rushed over 100 yards in every game this season.
TCU faced a one-dimensional Utah offense, but now will face the most balanced unit of the season. It’ll be the ultimate test for a defense that is hoping they’ve finally turned the corner after the win over Utah.
