Could Josh Hoover’s legs be the key to TCU solving BYU’s elite defense?
TCU football won’t just have to overcome another hostile environment when it faces No. 12 BYU at 9:15 p.m. Saturday in Provo, Utah.
The Cougars have one of the best defenses in the country, and the unit plays even better at home. BYU (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) ranks 16th in the nation in scoring defense (18.3 points per game), and at home the Cougars are allowing only 12 points per game.
This will easily be the best defense TCU (6-3, 3-3) has faced since its 27-24 defeat at Arizona State in September. What makes BYU’s defense so special?
“They’re a big, physical team. It’s typical BYU team,” TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said Tuesday. “They’re always built up front. That’s always been their history. Their two linebackers [Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker], I think are the two best linebackers on any team in the Big 12. Both of those guys are really good at what they do. They’re good blitzers, they’re long, athletic and can cover.”
Facing a BYU defense coming off a 29-7 loss at Texas Tech comes at a less than ideal time for the Horned Frogs, who have their own offensive kinks they need to work out.
The solution will likely have to come from quarterback Josh Hoover, and it could come through his legs instead of his arm.
TCU looking for faster start
TCU has averaged just 20 points per game the past two weeks against West Virginia and Iowa State. At the time, the Mountaineers were one of the worst teams in the Big 12, while the Cyclones were missing at least four defensive starters and were in the midst of a four-game losing streak.
If those two teams were able to slow down the Horned Frogs, how will TCU fare against a defense that is playing for a Big 12 title game appearance and to keep pace in the College Football Playoff race?
It’s a daunting task, but one essential goal for the Horned Frogs has to be starting faster. In four of the past five games, TCU has failed to score in the first quarter. After only scoring three points in the first half against Iowa State, Dykes said he felt TCU wasted an entire half of offense.
Doing so against BYU will likely result in another loss, so how does TCU correct that issue against one of the best defenses in the country?
“I think it’s just executing,” Hoover said. “I think we’ve come out early in some games and not really executed at a high level. It’s taken a couple plays to get going. I think that starts with practice and our preparation and our urgency.
“That’s something we’re focused on this week, starting fast and being completely ready and tuned up from the jump, not wasting drives. It’s a different time in college. We’ll have nine possessions on Saturday, and you can’t waste any of those.”
Hoover in particular will be under a microscope after throwing two interceptions against Iowa State.
On the season, Hoover has thrown for 17 touchdowns and just three interception at Amon G. Carter Stadium. But on the road, Hoover only has six touchdowns and five interceptions, plus a fumble and a backward pass against Kansas State that was ruled a fumble.
The offensive line and running game have been much more inconsistent on the road, making life more difficult for Hoover, but he must play better to give TCU a chance of pulling off the upset.
Sonny Dykes sees running opportunities
One key could be Hoover being willing to use his legs more. After reviewing the Iowa State film, Dykes said there were opportunities for Hoover to exploit running lanes opened up by the Cyclones’ defense.
“There were some opportunities for him [to run], and he’s been encouraged to do that,” Dykes said. “I think he’s got to pick his spots and be able to convert some first downs for us and keep some drives alive for us.”
Hoover has rushed for 20 yards or more in a game only twice this season, in wins over SMU and Colorado. Because of negative sack yardage, he has officially rushed for 15 yards this season on 36 carries with two touchdowns.
Third down and the red zone will be areas where Hoover can be the most dangerous if he leans more on his legs. The Cougars are formidable in both areas, ranking third in the conference in third-down defense and first in the red zone.
Opponents are scoring on only 72% of their red zone opportunities, and BYU has done a tremendous job of forcing teams to settle for field goals or coming up with stops on fourth down.
“Texas Tech had a really difficult time putting the ball in the end zone. [BYU] is one of the best teams defensively in the country in red zone defense,” Dykes said. “I think that’s one of, if not, the biggest strength that they have. They’re excellent in the red zone and very difficult to run the ball against.”
Facing a defense that doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses will require Hoover and the offense to play their best game of the season.
A win would keep TCU’s slim Big 12 title hopes alive and be a much-needed signature win for Dykes and the coaching staff.
The Horned Frogs have the personnel to make this matchup intriguing, but can they execute consistently enough to survive in the hostile environment in Provo?
This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 4:45 AM.
