The staff gives predictions for Friday’s Week 1 contest.
What are your expectations for the TCU Defense in its first game with Andy Avalos as Defensive Coordinator?
- Anthony: There has to be improvement. Edge transfers Devean Deal, NaNa Osafo-Mensa, and Cooper McDonald were brought in to fit the scheme and should provide an instant boost to a pass rush that ranked 60th nationally in sacks last season. If the secondary can hold up against a strong Cardinal WR group, I’m expecting a high sack total.
- Austin: I’m certainly excited for a scheme change, but the personnel does have me a bit worried. However, Stanford’s offense left much to be desired a season ago so it’s a great first game to test out the new defense under Avalos. What I’m hoping for is increased quarterback pressure with four consistent pass rushers.
- Drew: I expect the defense to be a big strength for the Frogs this season and rank in the top 5 of the Big 12 in a lot of major statistical categories. Maybe these are too high of expectations but I think Avalos brings a new degree of complexity to the defense that was sorely lacking it last year. I think the Frogs do a good job week one and keep Stanford at around 20 points.
- Russ: I’m keeping my expectations tempered, but I’d be very surprised if the TCU defense struggles mightily in this game. Stanford isn’t exactly an offensive powerhouse and I think the TCU defense should be able to keep the Cardinal under 20 points in this matchup.
- Wyatt: Like many Frog fans, I look forward to seeing Avalos’ new defense. I expect them to generate more pressure on the Quarterback. Hopefully, the increase in pressure will help generate more turnovers. It seemed like the defense did not produce as many turnovers in 2023.
Stanford finished 2023 ranked No. 129 nationally in yardage and scoring allowed. How can the TCU Offense best take advantage on Friday?
- Anthony: Don’t shrivel up in scoring opportunities. When the field shrunk as TCU got within 30 yards of the end zone, the Kendall Briles offense turned to mush a season ago. Get dynamic playmakers the ball in space to bring short yardage opportunities and then let Cam Cook cook. Don’t put a true freshman kicker in a tough spot on the road; have Kyle Lemmermann attempt extra points and not long field goals.
- Austin: Rather than keeping it safe, Kendal Briles can unleash the Horned Frogs’ offense against a subpar Cardinal unit. TCU can look for chunk plays early and often against a porous secondary. Besides the passing game, this game provides a fantastic opportunity for Cam Cook to begin the season on a high note.
- Drew: I’d like to see the Frogs put Josh Hoover in a position to succeed. A couple screen passes right out of the gate to get Hoover in a rhythm, success on early downs to stay out of obvious passing situations, and solid pass protection should spark a big day for the TCU offense.
- Russ: TCU’s biggest issue last season was finishing drives with points. While TCU gained yards and ran a lot of plays, the Horned Frogs turned the ball over at inopportune times, failed to convert fourth downs and settled for field goals, some of which were missed from in or around the red zone. TCU must finish drives with points this week.
- Wyatt: Scoring touchdowns. Despite putting up a ton of yards, the offense tended to miss out on scoring opportunities due to turnovers. These red zone turnovers and not finishing drives were a clear issue in 2023. I’d like to see the offense finish their drives strong this Friday against Stanford.
Where will Stanford stack up in the ACC going forward?
- Anthony: I actually think Stanford has a real opportunity to make some noise eventually in its new league. Perhaps not a conference title contender in the short term, but will be competitive and could be mid-table quickly with a chance to jump up and compete at the top in future seasons. Troy Taylor has brought strong high school recruiting back to The Farm, with the No. 6 class in the ACC in 2024 & 2025; the talent is improving and will produce improved results on the field.
- Austin: There’s plenty of opportunity for Stanford to succeed in the “All Coasts Conference.” While it’s been quite some time since Stanford was competitive, it must not be forgotten how much success the Cardinal saw from 2010 to 2018. Despite the vastness of the ACC, there’s a good chance Stanford finishes in the middle of the pecking order—something they failed to do in the Pac-12 this decade.
- Drew: I think this year is a very important year for Stanford football and if they are unable to make progress, it could spell disaster for the next few years. Returning your starting quarterback and a star wide receiver should mean improvement and I think Stanford needs to take a step forward this year to be competitive moving forward.
- Russ: I don’t expect Stanford to be very competitive in the new ACC given how poorly the team has performed in the Pac-12 over the last few years. Although I think the new ACC is watered down with California and SMU coming along, Stanford will finish this season in the bottom half of the conference.
- Wyatt: I think Stanford will be towards the bottom of the ACC. However, I do think they will improve from last year and be a little more competitive.
Which Stanford player will cause TCU the most trouble on Friday?
- Anthony: Yes, Elic Ayomanor is one of the most dangerous players in college football, but beware of slot receiver Tiger Bachmeier. The four-star prospect had a standout true freshman campaign, including a monster 10-reception 95-yard game vs. eventual national runner up Washington. Nickel corners Abe Camara and Jaise Oliver will have the tough task of slowing the 6-foot-1 speedster.
- Austin: Like everyone else, I’m saying Elic Ayomanor. With a revamped TCU secondary, the Stanford receiver has a great opportunity to go over 100 yards in his first game of the season.
- Drew: Elic Ayomanor is a very good receiver and could give a depleted cornerback group for the Frogs trouble on Friday. Ayomanor has great size and is a physical receiver which could be a challenge for a TCU cornerback group that is a bit undersized.
- Russ: Wide receiver Elic Ayomanor went for over 1,000 yards and over 60 receptions last season and is the bonafide No. 1 target for Ashton Daniels and crew. TCU lost Josh Newton to the NFL and Avery Helm is out indefinitely with a knee issue, meaning two new transfers in JaTravis Broughton and LaMareon James will make their TCU debuts on Friday night. TCU will find itself in some trouble if the Horned Frogs are unable to keep Ayomanor locked up.
- Wyatt: I agree with everyone else. Elic Ayomanor is a terrific receiver and will test the Frogs’ secondary.
Offensive Player of the Game:
- Anthony: JP Richardson. I see the TCU offense creating devastating mismatches with its inside receivers on Friday. Each of Jack Bech, Major Everhart, and Jordyn Bailey, plus Drake Dabney at TE will have multiple receptions, but JPR will lead the team in receptions and yardage
- Austin: Cam Cook. Especially if the Horned Frogs build an early lead, the sophomore back will be leaned on to burn the clock. Cook is perhaps the most intriguing offensive talent on the roster and a potential 1,000-plus-yard rusher. This game will set the tone for Cook’s season.
- Drew: I think Cam Cook has a break out season in 2024 and has over 100 yards with a touchdown against Stanford. TCU lacked explosiveness at times in 2023 and Cook has breakaway speed to create chunk plays for the offense.
- Russ: Josh Hoover will come out with a strong 2024 debut and capitalize on TCU’s wealth of talented veteran pass catchers. I expect the third-year sophomore to throw for over 300 yards and multiple touchdowns to lead the TCU offense.
- Wyatt: JP Richardson. He was my pick to be the offensive MVP for the Frogs this season, and I think he starts the season off strong. I expect a performance similar to the BYU game last year where he had 104 yards with 6 receptions and a touchdown. I expect Hoover to look for JP because he is a reliable target.
Defensive Player of the Game:
- Anthony: CB JaTravis Broughton. The Utah transfer looks to be matched up with Ayomanor on the outside; if he wins that battle, he’ll deserve the flowers.
- Austin: Bud Clark. Let’s keep the Clark hype train alive. The senior will have to make some plays in TCU’s revamped secondary. Without the initially projected starting cornerbacks, Clark will operate as the ultimate help defender.
- Drew: Give me Namdi Obiazor who I think is the best player on the defense and potentially the whole team. I love his versatility from pass coverage to pass rushing to run stopping. I think Obiazor has a pass breakup and eight tackles on Friday.
- Russ: I’ll take Devean Deal because he’s currently the top EDGE rusher on the depth chart and I really want to see the new TCU defense get after the quarterback. Deal is going to have a significant role on this team and I think he makes his mark in this game.
- Wyatt: NaNa Osafo-Mensah. With Paul Oyewale injured, I expect the Notre Dame transfer to step up in a big way. I believe NaNa will make his presence felt this Friday.
First Touchdown:
- Anthony: Cam Cook 75 yard run on TCU’s first offensive play from scrimmage
- Austin: Savion Williams breaks off a 30-plus-yard touchdown.
- Drew: Hoover to Dabney in the red zone.
- Russ: Josh Hoover finds JP Richardson for TCU’s first offensive touchdown of the season.
- Wyatt: Trey Sanders goal line touchdown.
Final Score:
- Anthony: TCU 45, Stanford 24
- Austin: TCU 41, Stanford 27
- Drew: TCU 34, Stanford 20
- Russ: TCU 38, Stanford 17
- Wyatt: TCU 31, Stanford 21