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2009 TCU NCAA Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

TCU 63009 TCU finished 11-2 in 2008 with a final ranking of No. 7 in the land, but the team loses seven starters on each side of the ball in 2009. Find out if TCU will still be in the running for a Mountain West Conference title in this college football predictions article. TCU is listed at +10,000 to win the 2009 BCS Championship.

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Offense – The defense gets all the praise in Fort Worth Texas, but the offense deserves a little respect as well following a season in which the Horned Frogs scored 33.6 points per game (21st nationally) and racked up 421.3 yards per game (24th nationally). Plus, TCU boasted one of the best running games in the country, gaining 220.2 yards per contest on the ground (12th nationally). Quarterback Andy Dalton will be under center for the third straight season to provide experience and leadership few other teams have at the position. Dalton helped the Horned Frogs break school records for both points scored (437) and touchdowns (56) in 2008. Dalton is a competitor who makes plays with his legs and his arm, but his skills as a passing quarterback really started to show last season when he threw for 2,242 yards and 11 touchdowns. His No. 1 wide receiver Jimmy Young returns after a 59-catch, 988-yard, and five-touchdown season. But enough about the passing game. TCU prides itself on running the football and we can expect that to continue to be the case. Senior Aaron Brown is gone, but Ryan Christian and Joseph Turner, who played considerable amounts of time last season, will have no trouble stepping in. Turner carried 146 times for 577 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2008. The offensive line returns both of its tackles so it will be up to the new guards to keep the running attack strong.

Defense – The 2008 Horned Frogs ranked No. 1 in the country in total defense (217.8 yards per game allowed) and No. 2 in scoring defense (11.3 points per game allowed). They were the best in the nation against the run (47.1 yards per game allowed) and ranked 11th against the pass (170.7 yards per game allowed). The Horned Frogs do lose seven defensive starters, but don’t expect much of a drop off as head coach Gary Patterson has been one of the best at reloading. The fact that his teams have led the nation in total defense three of the last nine seasons speaks volumes of his ability to keep the talent rolling in. Patterson has built his defense around speed once again. All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes leads the way after an incredible 15-sack season. Linebacker Daryl Washington isn’t at a loss for speed either and will be ready to play a bigger role after a 63-tackle season a year ago. The secondary is deep and talented. Corners Nick Sanders and Rafael Priest enter their senior seasons having started every game of their careers at TCU. Greg McCoy figures to get some action as well. The sophomore is the fastest player on the squad with 4.3/40 speed.

Prediction: 2nd Mountain West Conference – The Horned Frogs are 52-1 under head coach Gary Patterson when holding the opposition to 17 or fewer points. That will be the focus again as TCU’s defense gives it a chance to win the league.

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