2009 NCAA - TCU
Schools near and far, big and small all came after Gary Patterson after last season. The longest-tenured MWC coach will start his ninth season hoping to do even better than the 11 wins he's piloted the Horned Frogs to in three of the last four seasons. Many will argue that Patterson has the best job OUTSIDE the BCS - a Texas school in the best non-BCS conference. That could be keeping him around - but a plethora of experience that returns from last year's impressive unit is just as likely of an answer.
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TCU
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Seven starters graduate from a defense that was the best in the country, though slick DC Dick Bumpas had to replace six starters from the 2007 unit, so reload might be the proper word in Fort Worth. Defensive end Jerry Hughes led the nation with 17 sacks in 2008 - but he returns without anyone else that has D-line starting experience. The pass defense gave up only 48 percent completion percentage to all opponents and returns both senior starting corners and should again give people fits out of the quirky 4-2-5. On offense, long-tenured and well-respected Mike Schultz moves on to Illinois, so the QB and RB coach will share play-calling duties. Patterson has indicated that not much will change - QB Andy Dalton returns to run an offense that smashed school records for touchdowns and points (56 and 437, respectively). The RB's are talented and deep, and five receivers who caught at least 30 passes return. |
ASK the bookie? - TCU might well be favored in ACC trips to Virginia and Clemson in September. If the Frogs can get through those two games unscathed, the two tests figure to be revenge-minded BYU in Provo and a trip from Utah to Fort Worth three weeks later. TCU should be favored in no less than 10 games, and will win at least that many if everyone stays healthy and the defense gives Hughes some help up front.
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