The staff discusses the Horned Frogs Friday night lights Big 12 contest
Through five games, Jack Bech is on pace to finish the year with 84 receptions for 1,553 yards and 14 TDs, which would set single-season program records for each. What has made Bech so effective to start the season and can you see this pace continuing?
- Anthony: Mr. Always Open, even when he’s covered. Bech’s route running has been so smooth it looks effortless, but he also goes and makes the tough plays in contact through tight defending. It helps his cause that he’s surrounded with weapons; defenses have to respect JP Richardson and Savion Williams. It’s a tough ask for anyone to surpass Josh Doctson’s seasons at TCU, but Bech has looked like the real deal so far in 2024.
- Austin: Three things impress me the most. 1) Bech’s connection with Josh Hoover is next-level. Hoover feels confident throwing to Bech in tight windows and down the field. 2) Bech’s YAC ability. No matter what part of the field Bech catches the ball on, he seems to make multiple defenders miss and get extra yardage. 3) Bech is extremely versatile. He can line up at X, Z, and in the slot. His route tree is immense.
- Drew: I have been really impressed with the refinement of Bech’s game. His releases and route running are very impressive to watch and he is able to consistently create separation against man coverage. He has no issues making contested catches making him a favorite target of Josh Hoover’s on third downs. He also is effective at every level of the passing game. He has the run after catch ability to be effective in the screen and short game, the willingness to take hits to be effective in the intermediate passing game, and the speed and ball skills to track down deep balls. I can definitely see this pace continuing.
- Russ: Bech has really impressed me with his route running and his yards-after-catch ability. He never seems to go down on first contact and requires multiple defenders to bring him to the ground. I haven’t seen many drops from him either. He’s been as dependable as it gets and his ability to win on short, intermediate and long routes has him off to a great start.
- Wyatt: Everything I have seen from Jack Bech I have liked. He plays grown-man football, meaning he just doesn’t seem to go down. There are times when he is pushing a pile of 4 defenders. I think this along with his consistency will allow Bech to continue putting up monster numbers.
Houston and TCU are tied for 121st nationally with a minus-six turnover margin on the season, how do you see the turnover battle playing out on Friday night?
- Anthony: Even with TCU’s turnover struggles on the road, the Frogs have still found ways to win at Stanford and Kansas. It’d likely take a lopsided turnover margin for TCU to give away the game Friday, but the Frogs have been happy to share the ball with opposing defenses this season. TCU took two interceptions off Donovan Smith last seasons and should be looking to meet or beat that this year.
- Austin: TCU’s mistakes have been self-inflicted. Sure, that’s almost all turnovers, but there’s a different feel here. Hoover has only tossed four interceptions on nearly 200 attempts—he’s nowhere near a turnover waiting to happen. Conversely, Donovan Smith throws an interception every 20 pass attempts. The Horned Frogs’ biggest flaw is their lack of takeaways. I foresee the Horned Frogs winning the turnover battle of Friday night.
- Drew: I think TCU will do a much better job limiting turnovers in this game because Josh Hoover will not feel the need to force the ball down the field as much. I also think this is an opportunity for the secondary to create turnovers as Houston will have to throw the ball to keep up with TCU’s passing attack.
- Russ: I think this is a game where the Horned Frogs finally bite into the turnover margin from a positive standpoint. I don’t see the Cougars offering much resistance to the TCU offense and the Horned Frogs have done well against Donovan Smith in the past. I’m predicting that TCU wins the turnover battle in this game by at least two.
- Wyatt: I think the TCU finally has a game where they are on the positive end of the turnover battle. Hopefully, the defense can force Donovan Smith to turn the ball over. I would also like this to build momentum for the defense because the lack of turnovers has been an issue for the Frogs.
Houston has not yet scored during Big 12 play in 2024, losing a combined 54-0 to Cincinnati & Iowa State. Can the Horned Frogs defense keep the Cougars’ scoreless streak alive?
- Anthony: TCU has not shut out an FBS opponent since 2017 and although this defense did so against Long Island a few weeks ago, it hasn’t looked particularly dominant since. Cougars WRs Joseph Manjack and Stephon Johnson are certainly capable of doing damage in the TCU secondary if Donovan Smith has time to find them.
- Austin: No. Cincinnati is a decent defensive team, while Iowa State possesses a tremendous defense. Although the Horned Frogs aren’t much worse than the Bearcats defensively, the Cougars won’t be shut out in three games in a row.
- Drew: I do not think Houston will be held scoreless on Friday but I can see TCU’s defense turning in a solid performance. The Frogs did a solid job of making Kansas throw the ball to beat them last week and I think that same strategy will be successful against a passing attack from Houston that has struggled to start the season.
- Russ: TCU took a slight step forward defensively against Kansas, but I think a shutout here would be out of reach for this group. While I think the Horned Frogs can hold Houston under 20 points, I’m expecting the Cougars to reach the end zone at least once or twice.
- Wyatt: I expect Houston to score at least 1o points on Friday’s game.
Offensive MVP vs. Houston
- Anthony: Savion Williams. Bech is going to start getting extra attention from defenses and that means more opportunities for Williams and he takes advantage in this one and hits 100+ yards for the first time this season.
- Austin: As much as I’d like to go with Bech, I’m choosing the underrated freshman, Jeremy Payne. The Cougars have held up against the pass, but rank so-so against the run. After a semi-breakout performance against the Jayhawks, Payne will receive more rushes against the Cougars. This opportunity should cement Payne as RB2 with the ability to take control of the backfield before the season comes to a close.
- Drew: I’ll take Eric McAlister who has had back to back games with at least 100 yards receiving and a touchdown. He is getting more snaps each week and I think he has another big game against the Cougars.
- Russ: Jack Bech. Why not choose Bech again? He’s been practically unguardable and I don’t see that changing much in this matchup.
- Wyatt: Josh Hoover. I think he will have a clean game with no interceptions. I also expect his favorite target, Jack Bech, to have a big game. However, I think Hoover will spread the ball out against the Houston defense.
Defensive MVP vs. Houston
- Anthony: Abe Camara. He was flying around the field in KC and was a huge part of the Frogs slowing the Jayhawks run game, including a highlight body slam of a leaping Jalon Daniels. He’s the stopper for any running QB and will be tasked with making sure Donovan Smith doesn’t get loose on Friday.
- Austin: I like Russ’s pick of LaMareon James. Houston’s offense has been pitiful to begin the season, and it doesn’t look like the Cougars will be ahead in many contests—forcing Smith to make some throws. Thus James will receive ample opportunity to intercept Smith’s errant passes.
- Drew: Bud Clark. It feels like Bud is due for an interception as the primary ballhawk in the defensive backfield for TCU.
- Russ: LaMareon James. Donovan Smith has thrown five interceptions already this season and I think James may actually be the best cornerback for the Horned Frogs right now. JaTravis Broughton has struggled with flags and giving up big plays, but James made an excellent interception to seal TCU’s win over Kansas. I think he gets another one here.
- Wyatt: Jamel Johnson. He has been all over the field this year, and I think he will have another game with a ton of tackles.
Final Score
- Anthony: TCU 38, Houston 20
- Austin: TCU 31, Houston 13
- Drew: TCU 34, Houston 14
- Russ: TCU 42, Houston 17
- Wyatt: TCU 45- Houston 13