 "Photo: File Photo/The Daily Texan")
On Tuesday at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Las Vegas, the Mountain West Conference media’s lucky number was seven.
After studying all the players and placing their bets, they selected the TCU Horned Frogs, ranked No. 7 at the end of last season, would win this years MWC Championship ahead of both BYU and Utah.
And while TCU did finish the 2008 season 11-2 with a Poinsettia Bowl win over the undefeated Boise State Broncos, head coach Gary Patterson and his Horned Frogs will have to work on replacing key starters on both sides of the ball in order to fulfill these preseason predictions.
Only allowing 11.31 points per game and leading the nation in defense and run defense in 2008, the Horned Frogs will return only four defensive starters leaving some big questions. Patterson will need players like Horned Frogs’ 2008 leading tackler Daryl Washington to step up and fill the holes in order to have a shot at a title.
The Frogs are return defensive end Jerry Hughes who recorded 15 sacks and 19.5 tackles-for-loss last year. But without defense linemen Matt Panfil and Cody Moore on the field, it will be difficult for Hughes to be as free as last season to make those big tackles.
Patterson also has to find replacements for linebackers Jason Phillips and Robert Henson, who were dominant in TCU’s 4-2-5 defense.
Nick Sanders and Steven Coleman are also returning in the secondary — so with a little time, the defense should adjust.
Meanwhile, the Horned Frogs’ offense is full of experience and looks to be in good shape for the 2009 season.
They lost running back Aaron Brown, 2008 season rushing leader, but Joseph Turner and Ryan Christian will make what is expected to be an explosive backfield that could give many teams trouble.
TCU also returns continually improving junior quarterback Andy Dalton who threw for 2,242 yards last season for the Horned Frogs. As a sophomore last season, Dalton completed 60 percent of his passes and only threw five interceptions. Combined with leading receiver Jimmy Young, the Horned Frogs offense appears to be ready for a big year.
Without a Big 12 team on their schedule for the first time since 2003, the Horned Frogs will have plenty of other important games that could decide their season. Oct. 24 at BYU is a must win for the Frogs and if they can beat Clemson Sept. 26 on national television, it would definitely put them in the spotlight. Finishing with three teams in the Top-25 for the first time in history, the Mountain West Conference is making a statement for their legitimacy in the BCS and TCU appears to be no exception again this season.
Team name: Texas Christian University
Head coach: Gary Patterson
Conference: Mountain West
2008 record: 11-2
Players to watch:
- Andy Dalton – Junior – QB
2008: 2,242 passing yards
The TCU offense continues to improve with junior Andy Dalton controlling the offense. Dalton competed 60 percent of his passes as a sophomore and will likely have a superstar receiver in Jimmy Young to connect with for a possible explosive offensive season. - Jerry Hughes – Senior – DB
2008: 15 sacks and 2 interceptions
With only returning four starters on the defensive side of the ball, the Horned Frogs need Hughes to step up and make big plays. Hughes had 19.5 tackles for loss along with 15 sacks.
Game to watch: Oct. 24 at BYU
The Frogs beat BYU 32-7 last season, but this year, they are playing in Provo. The winner of this game will likely be the winner of the conference.
The Word on TCU: In order to win TCU has to fill the holes on defense and needs other players to step up and make big plays. With Dalton at the offensive helm and last year’s rushing leader Joseph Turner in the backfield, it could be a big season for Gary Patterson and the Horned Frogs.
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