Can TCU block one of the Big 12’s best defensive tackles, Cincy’s Dontay Corleone?
After turning their season around by winning four of their last five games, the TCU Horned Frogs have a chance to end the year on a high note in Ohio.
TCU’s final regular-season game is against new conference mate Cincinnati. Both teams having plenty of motivation for this game. For TCU, there’s a complete chaos scenario where TCU could find itself tied in first place with multiple other teams in the Big 12. It’ll also help the Horned Frogs be more attractive to bowl organizers.
Cincinnati started the season strong, looking like one of the most improved teams in the Big 12, but the Bearcats have lost four straight games and are now in danger of missing a bowl game.
Snow isn’t on the forecast, but temperatures are projected to be below freezing around kickoff. For a team that has played most of its games in Texas, weather could play a factor early.
Here’s four things to know about Cincinnati:
Improved quarterback play?
The Bearcats’ quarterback struggles were well documented last season with Emory Jones under center. Cincinnati has gotten better production from the position this year with the arrival of Indiana transfer Brendan Sorsby. Sorsby has already surpassed all of Jones’ passing numbers from a year ago with one game still remaining.
Sorsby has thrown for 2,653 yards, 18 touchdowns and just six interceptions while completing over 64% of his passes. His average of 241 passing yards per game is 60 yards higher than what Jones averaged. While Sorsby has been a step up, he hasn’t been able to maintain the hot start he was on at the beginning of the season.
Sorsby has posted a quarterback rating below 70 in four straight games and even had a game where he only threw for 66 yards against Iowa State. Sorsby can move though, he has one game with over 140 yards rushing and multiple games with double digit carries. TCU has faced better quarterbacks but Sorsby is solid.
Another tough running back
It seems like TCU has faced all of the good running backs and the Big 12 and that will continue on Saturday when the Horned Frogs face Corey Kiner. The former LSU Tiger and teammate of Horned Frogs star receiver Jack Bech, has put together another 1,000-yard season with 1,043 yards on 181 carries.
Kiner is averaging 5.8 yards per carry this season, but has only scored three touchdowns this season. While the team has struggled lately, Kiner has actually been playing his best football. Over the last five games, Kiner has rushed for over 100 yards in three of those games and at least 91 in the other two.
He’s a productive back that compares favorably to Texas Tech’s Tahj Brooks. He’s more of a bruiser than a big play running back, but still effective overall.
The Godfather
Cincinnati pulled off a major move in the off-season when they were able to retain the services of defensive tackle Dontay Corleone. Nicknamed ‘The Godfather’ around Cincinnati because of his last name, Corleone was an All-American in 2022 and an All-Big 12 selection last season.
Corleone could’ve earned significant money from name, image and likeness deals from bigger schools, but opted to remain with the Bearcats. Corleone is on pace for another All-Big 12 year as he currently has a career-high 3.5 sacks and 26 tackles. Corleone is rated the highest defensive tackle by Pro Football Focus in the Big 12.
Corleone can disrupt a team’s game plan and TCU’s interior offensive linemen will face one of their biggest challenges of the year.
Assessing the losing streak
After defeating Arizona State on Oct. 19, Cincinnati sat firmly near the top of the Big 12 standings with an impressive 3-1 record in the conference. Things have gone off the rails since then with the Bearcats spiraling over the last four games. Three of those four losses were by double digits including the 41-15 blowout to Kansas State this past Saturday.
The Bearcats even found a way to lose against West Virginia in a game where they nearly outgained the Mountaineers by 200 yards. Sorsby cooling off has something to do with the losing streak, but one common theme appears to be Cincinnati’s ineffectiveness on third down.
In all four games, the Bearcats have only converted about 30% of their third down opportunities. Cincinnati has been able to produce yards, but hasn’t been able to sustain drives which has led the Bearcats to falling behind. TCU struggled at times getting stops against Arizona on third down and will need to be better against the Bearcats.
