Mac Brown's Texas Longhorns would have a tough battle on their hands Vs. TCU.
Credit: Andreanna | ©Wikimedia Commons
Wouldn't it be something if TCU and Texas met in a BCS bowl game? If the season ended at the time this was written, TCU and Texas would probably meet in a BCS bowl game (perhaps the Sugar Bowl?) and it would be lots of fun to watch these teams duke it out for 60 minutes. It would be fun because we'd get to see how well TCU's stingy defense and well-balanced offense can play against Colt McCoy's high-octane offense and Texas's win, lose or draw defense.
As a result of the dynamics involved, here are the keys to victory that fans should look for in a match-up between TCU and Texas:
Keys to a TCU victory:
Andy Dalton must play a "clean" game with no interceptions or stupid mistakes.
If Andy Dalton plays as efficiently as he's capable of (he has a 157.8 QB rating with only 4 interceptions in 149 attempts), TCU will have a great chance winning this mythical match-up. In order to do this, Andy Dalton must be able to take what Texas gives him while also avoiding the temptation to try to force the issue when the Longhorns blitz. It won't be easy to do any of this but if there's one quarterback outside the Big Six conferences who could do it, Andy Dalton's the guy.
TCU's running backs MUST rush for 200-250 yards.
TCU's running backs have done well in a pass-happy Mountain West Conference. They've rushed for over 2200 yards this season at press time and they have to continue to get these sorts of numbers if they want to compete against the Longhorns. Texas's offense is so dynamic and so efficient that TCU must keep the Longhorns' offense off the field. The best way to do this is to grind out yards on the ground. If TCU rushes for at least 200 yards, the BCS might start eating crow at last!
TCU must also stop Shipley and McCoy.
Let's face it. Texas has one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in the country. Jordan Shipley and his roommate Colt McCoy are so potent that most defensive coordinators in the Big 12 have ulcers just thinking about them. TCU's defensive coordinator, Dick Bumpas, will have to find out a way to contain Shipley and McCoy or it's going to be a long day for Horned Frog fans.
As a result of the dynamics involved, here are the keys to victory that fans should look for in a match-up between TCU and Texas:
Keys to a TCU victory:
Andy Dalton must play a "clean" game with no interceptions or stupid mistakes.
If Andy Dalton plays as efficiently as he's capable of (he has a 157.8 QB rating with only 4 interceptions in 149 attempts), TCU will have a great chance winning this mythical match-up. In order to do this, Andy Dalton must be able to take what Texas gives him while also avoiding the temptation to try to force the issue when the Longhorns blitz. It won't be easy to do any of this but if there's one quarterback outside the Big Six conferences who could do it, Andy Dalton's the guy.
TCU's running backs MUST rush for 200-250 yards.
TCU's running backs have done well in a pass-happy Mountain West Conference. They've rushed for over 2200 yards this season at press time and they have to continue to get these sorts of numbers if they want to compete against the Longhorns. Texas's offense is so dynamic and so efficient that TCU must keep the Longhorns' offense off the field. The best way to do this is to grind out yards on the ground. If TCU rushes for at least 200 yards, the BCS might start eating crow at last!
TCU must also stop Shipley and McCoy.
Let's face it. Texas has one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in the country. Jordan Shipley and his roommate Colt McCoy are so potent that most defensive coordinators in the Big 12 have ulcers just thinking about them. TCU's defensive coordinator, Dick Bumpas, will have to find out a way to contain Shipley and McCoy or it's going to be a long day for Horned Frog fans.
- Andy Dalton must play efficiently and keep his head on straight to keep TCU close.
- Can TCU run the ball? If they can, they have a real chance to win,
- For Texas it's simple: Get Shipley the ball often and force TCU to play ouf of its comfort zone.
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