TCU Football: Keys to the Game, Week 3

Frogs look to play spoilers in Cougars’ first-ever Big 12 game

As Sonny Dykes and the Horned Frogs are coming off their first win of the 2023 season, they will look to get the ball rolling when they open Big 12 Conference play away at the University of Houston. Despite a 41-6 thrashing of Nicholls State, there is still an abundance of work to be done and improvements to be made.

To be successful against the Cougars on Saturday, the Frogs need to contain Donovan Smith, spread the ball, and win the line of scrimmage.

Contain Donovan Smith:

After playing two seasons with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Cougars' quarterback Smith knows TCU incredibly well. The junior has led the Houston team to a record of 1-1 following an unexpected 17-14 victory over UTSA and an underwhelming 43-41 loss to Rice.

The loss to Rice on Saturday was perhaps one of the worst losses of the college football season so far. Down by as much as 28 points, the Cougars came back and forced double overtime before failing to convert on a 2-point conversion.

But Smith put together quite a performance for the Cougars, completing 24 of 42 pass attempts for 260 yards and two touchdowns. He threw an interception but made up for it with an incredible rushing display. Smith garnered 57 yards on 16 carries and found the end zone three times.

For the Frogs to dominate Houston, they must contain Smith to stay in the pocket. TCU will need sufficient pressure from its defensive line and discipline amongst its linebackers to spy on Smith.

Spread the ball on offense:

Chandler Morris has done a fine job in the passing game to start the season. While questions were asked of him following the loss to Colorado, he pieced together a fair performance against Nicholls.

Morris has been efficient through the first two games, completing 66% of his passes and averaging 14.3 yards per pass. Furthermore, 717 yards and three touchdown passes will be something he will look to build upon throughout the season.

One aspect of the passing, though, that flies below the radar is Morris' ability to spread the ball. TCU has a deep wide receiver room, and Morris knows how to use it effectively. Against Colorado, Morris found ten different targets for 279 yards, and in last week's game against Nicholls, he found 12 different receivers for 263 yards.

With some of the wide receiving core banged up and coming back from injury, it will be pertinent that Morris finds a way to work in as many options as possible.

Win the line of scrimmage:

The Frogs will need to win the line of scrimmage on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The offensive line that played against Nicholls State was not too impressive. As a result, the Frogs only amassed 129 rushing yards as opposed to the 279 rushing yards they posted against Colorado in week 1.

Perhaps the most effective piece of offense has been the running game. Spearheaded by Emani Bailey and Trey Sanders, the Frogs have looked to the ground game for much of their offensive production.

Furthermore, winning the line of scrimmage will allow Morris time in the pocket to patiently go through his reads and make decisions. This was a problem against Nicholls, where the offensive line broke down, but Morris was alert to the danger and showed off his running ability.

Winning the line of scrimmage is equally important on the defensive side of the ball. If the Frogs can get enough push from its defensive line to apply pressure on the Cougars pocket, they have a chance to contain Smith, as previously stated.

Sticking to Joe Gillespie's 3-3-5, TCU will look to build upon the pressure they generated against Nicholls, where they racked up three sacks and six tackles for loss.

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