Next up on the Triple Option Attack is #8 TCU
Music to listen to: Honey by Erika Badu
I’ll show love to the Dallas native.
The Story: Prior to last year, TCU had some solid seasons behind one of the best defenses in the nation. The Horned Frogs would compete and even win some Mountain West titles but never took the step to a major bowl against elite competition until last year.
Now the Horned Frogs have many things going for them. The fan base is growing and providing the proper support to the team. Head coach Gary Patterson has signed a long-term contract. Even the stadium is receiving an upgrade.
Can the Horned Frogs return to a BCS bowl or will the school fall back into mid-major obscurity?
Last Season: Finished 12-1, including winning the Mountain West title with a record of 8-0, including victories over Utah and BYU. The lone loss came in the Fiesta Bowl to Boise State in a close contest.
Offense: Senior Andy Dalton returns to lead the offense. He threw for over 2,700 yards last season along with 23 touchdowns. He may be a dark horse candidate for the Heisman but may not put up enough numbers to warrant this consideration.
The receiving unit is back including four guys who had more than 400 yards last season including Jimmy Young, Jeremy Kerley and Antoine Hicks. The offensive line does have to replace some starters but potential All-America tackle Marcus Cannon does return.
Defense: The Horned Frogs have built its program with defense. TCU has had a top-25 total defense in the nation the past five seasons and the top one in football the past two years.
TCU does have to replace All-America defensive end Jerry Hughes but does return plenty of top talents such as All-Mountain West performers from last season, defensive end Wayne Daniels and defensive tackle Cory Grant.
The secondary will also be stout with free safety Tejay Johnson and cornerbacks Greg McCoy and Jason Teague.
The Schedule
9-4-10 Oregon State @Arlington, TX
9-11-10 TENNESSEE TECH
9-18-10 BAYLOR
9-24-10 at SMU (Fri.)
10-2-10 at Colorado State
10-9-10 WYOMING
10-16-10 BRIGHAM YOUNG
10-23-10 AIR FORCE
10-30-10 at UNLV
11-6-10 at Utah
11-13-10 SAN DIEGO STATE
11-27-10 at New Mexico
Similar to Boise State, the higher profile matchups will be from out of conference. Oregon State and Baylor will be dicey contests. The Horned Frogs do get the Beavers in Arlington, Texas, a de-facto home contest. Baylor will probably have a good offense to field and give TCU trouble.
The game that will probably determine whether TCU can return to a BCS bowl or even win the Mountain West will be against Utah on Nov. 6.
Most Famous Sports Alum: Currently it has to be Ladainian Tomlinson.
Celebrity Alum “Crush:” I’m going with Shantel Vansanten, an actress that has been in many movies and TV shows, most recently on One Tree Hill.
Prediction: 11-1
TCU is an excellent program that can compete on a national level. However, I think that they will slip up either in the Oregon State, BYU or Utah contest. I’m leaning towards Utah. Gary Patterson has built the squad to a level that just winning the Mountain West title isn’t enough to satisfy followers of the Horned Frogs. TCU won’t be a one-year wonder from last year but it may be a while before it returns to a BCS bowl.
Sports Inquirer Top-25 Preseason College Football Poll:
The Sports Inquirer 
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