TCU Football: Tori's Thoughts - TCU Took A Step Forward, Kansas State Has Quarterback Depth

The Horned Frogs look back on track and the Wildcats have a speedy backup quarterback.

TCU (4-3 overall, 2-2 Big 12) will travel outside Texas for the second time this season to face Kansas State (4-2, 2-1). The Wildcats are coming off a 38-21 win over Texas Tech.

The Horned Frogs showed new life against BYU last week, which could serve as a launching pad for the rest of the season, while Kansas State might have a battle forming over the starting quarterback job.

Game time is set for 6 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN2.

BYU Win Should Be A Building Block

Saturday’s win over BYU was the “get-right” game TCU desperately needed after two straight losses.

The offense finally scored in the third quarter for the first time since Sept. 23 against SMU, special teams did not have any glaring miscues, the defense played its best game of the year and the offensive line never let the Cougars’ defense touch redshirt freshman quarterback Josh Hoover.

Hoover, the Big 12 Co-Offensive Player of the Week, absolutely passed the eye test is his first collegiate start. He hit receivers in stride down the field, fit the ball into tight spaces, and never lost his poise or composure.

TCU quarterback Josh Hoover looks to throw the ball against BYU :: Tony Beblowski/KillerFrogs

TCU looked like a brand-new team and showed it has the talent to compete with and beat any team in the Big 12 Conference. That’s a good thing considering the Horned Frogs are entering the toughest part of their schedule.

It starts with a visit to the defending conference champion, Kansas State.

Manhattan is a tough environment for an inexperienced quarterback. Hoover looked good in the second half at Iowa State and gained more confidence this past week, but keep in mind he has only played six quarters of Division I football. The Wildcats will do everything they can to make Hoover uncomfortable.

TCU has had mixed results on the road this season versus Houston (win) and then Iowa State (loss). The offense, defense, and special teams have not played well at the same time. Another complete game, like the BYU performance, will give the Horned Frogs a chance to really reset the season’s trajectory.

Road trips to Texas Tech on a Thursday and No. 6 Oklahoma are also on the schedule along with home dates against Baylor and No. 8 Texas. Texas Tech and Baylor have underachieved this season, but do not count these as easy games. Night games in Lubbock are always difficult, and Baylor would love to repay TCU for last season’s walk-off win in Waco.

Despite the bumpy 4-3 start, TCU can still reach (or get close to) the projected over/under win total of 7.5 games. That’s a reasonable expectation if the Horned Frogs can build off the BYU win and consistently play at an elite level.

New Quarterback Taking Over in Manhattan?

A quarterback controversy might be brewing at Kansas State. The depth chart released earlier this week had the word “or” between freshman Avery Johnson and senior Will Howard in the starting quarterback spot.

Howard led the Wildcats to a Big 12 title last season and retained the starting role this season. Johnson came to Kansas State this year as the top-rated dual-threat quarterback by Rivals and the No. 77 overall player by ESPN in the class of 2023.

Howard put up decent numbers through the first four games, throwing for 1,072 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions. Then, a loss at Oklahoma State on Oct. 6 marked a low point as Howard tossed three interceptions and completed 44 percent of his passes for 152 yards. He did run for 104 yards on 10 carries versus the Cowboys.

Johnson burst onto the scene last week against Texas Tech with five rushing touchdowns. Howard started the game and completed 6-of-9 passes for 86 yards before being pulled in the second half.

The reason?

The Red Raiders’ defensive scheme favored a running quarterback like Johnson. Johnson exploded for 90 rushing yards and those five touchdowns on 13 carries. He also had 77 passing yards on 8-of-9 completions.

Prior to the Texas Tech game, Johnson had appeared in a blowout win over Southeast Missouri and a three-point loss at Missouri.

During the Missouri game, Johnson carried the ball five times for 32 yards. He gave Kansas State another weapon in the ground game, but it did not seem like the starting role was up for grabs.

That job still probably belongs to Howard, although it’s hard to ignore what Johnson did given significant playing time.

Howard usually plays better at home than on the road. If that trend continues this weekend, some of the questions around the quarterback situation might quiet down.

Howard also ranks in the top ten on Kansas State’s career touchdown and career passing yards lists. He has experience and should remain Kansas State’s go-to guy, but don’t be surprised if Johnson sneaks in and creates a little chaos.  

TCU Football Week 8 Opponent Preview: Kansas State Wildcats

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