Three reasons why TCU football will end season with win over Cincinnati or upset defeat
There are only two more editions of Three Reasons Why remaining this season for TCU as the Horned Frogs prepare for their season finale and upcoming bowl game.
For the first time this season, TCU will play in frigid conditions with temperatures hovering around freezing on Saturday in Cincinnati. The Bearcats have a team suited for the elements with a strong run game and an elite defensive tackle that can disrupt any offense.
However, these are two teams trending in opposite directions. TCU has won four of its last five games while the Bearcats have lost four in a row and are on the verge of missing a bowl game for the second straight season.
Here’s three reasons why TCU will end the regular season on the high note or allow Cincinnati to snap its lengthy losing streak:
Three reasons why TCU will defeat Cincinnati
1. Savion Williams: Ever since the talented receiver started receiving carries out of the backfield, TCU’s offense has found a consistency it lacked earlier in the year. Williams has been the Horned Frogs’ best option in the backfield and he’s rushed for at least 72 yards in three of the last five games. It’s possible Williams could opt out of the bowl game, so this could be his last game as a Horned Frogs.
Why not go out with a bang with a dozen carries or so? If Williams is productive in the backfield, then TCU has a great shot at winning.
2. Diverse passing attack: Williams hasn’t just opened up the running game for TCU, it’s also allowed more opportunities for Eric McAlister to get on the field. Between Williams, McAlister, Jack Bech and JP Richardson, the Horned Frogs have a case for having the best wide receiver group in the league.
Josh Hoover has been playing with confidence in the pocket, knowing he has such talented weapons around him. TCU should be able to take advantage of Cincinnati’s secondary.
3. Mental toughness: The Horned Frogs have become a much more gritty team since the win at Utah on Oct. 19. That showed up against Arizona when the Wildcats made it 14-13 after a fast by TCU. The Horned Frogs responded with 21 unanswered points to pull away Arizona. It’s not something this group may have been able to do earlier in the year.
The Horned Frogs have found ways to win while the Bearcats have found ways to lose during their four-game skid. TCU is better prepared to handle the momentum changes sure to come on Saturday.
Three reasons TCU will be upset by Cincinnati
1. Can’t adjust to the cold: The Horned Frogs all say they’re prepared for the cold conditions awaiting on Saturday, but you can’t simulate playing in freezing weather in Fort Worth. We know weather can have an impact on a game, especially with a team that has mostly played in the state of Texas. TCU has to adjust to the elements quickly.
2. Dual-threat rushing attack: TCU’s rushing defense has shown improvement since the win over Utah, but it still remains a big question mark headed into the season fnale. Cincinnati has a similar run scheme as Baylor, which ran for 257 yards against TCU on Nov. 2. Corey Kiner leads the Bearcats with over 1,000 yards and the bruiser type running back could get a heavy workload due to the cold.
Quarterback Brendan Sorsby is also a capable dual-threat quarterback and could also give TCU problems with his ability to extend plays and be effective in the zone read game. If TCU allows over 200 yards on the ground it’ll be hard to win.
3. The Godfather: TCU hasn’t faced a defensive lineman like Dontay Corleone all season. Corleone was an All-American in 2022 and an All-Big 12 selection a season ago. A likely NFL Draft prick, Corleone is a disruptive force in the middle that can throw off an entire offense’s gameplan by himself. He’s also a quality pass rusher with 3.5 sacks on the season. Corleone could be Cincy’s answer to stopping Williams in the backfield.
TCU must find a way to keep Corleone in check or it could be a long day for the offense.
