TCU vs. Texas: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More
The TCU Horned Frogs fell to No. 6 in the Associated Press Top 25 after they were given a scare by Kansas in Week 13. Things won't be getting any easier for this College Football Playoff contender, as a trip to Austin to take on the surging Texas Longhorns is next on the slate.
Earlier in the season, this contest had the makings of a lopsided affair. TCU's offense was demolishing every foe, and Texas couldn't seem to live up to expectations, dropping five of its first eight games. However, the Longhorns have recently hit their stride, winning their last three games, and they appear to be a formidable Week 14 opponent.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Can quarterback Trevone Boykin lead the Horned Frogs to a vastly important 10th win on the season, or will Texas play spoiler and finish the year strong with a fourth consecutive win? There's plenty at stake here, including Big 12 bragging rights within the state of Texas.
Aerial Prowess
While neither defense has been bad this season, we should expect a high-scoring affair at Royal Texas Memorial Stadium on Thursday. Both TCU and Texas have been lighting up scoreboards lately, and each team's quarterback is the primary reason.
We've seen TCU's Boykin go off this year. The junior signal-caller was involved in some early Heisman Trophy discussions, especially following his 433-yard, seven-touchdown performance against Texas Tech in the Horned Frogs' 82-27 victory.
Since that astounding performance, Boykin's production has dropped off, though. Over his last three games, he's notched three touchdowns and two interceptions, eclipsing the 300-yard mark just once. He did have a brilliant rushing performance against Kansas State, carrying 17 times for 123 yards and three touchdowns, but he'll need to do much more through the air against Texas.
Still, according to DFW Sports News, Boykin is extremely happy with the team's offense:
As for the Longhorns, quarterback Tyrone Swoopes has played very well lately. The sophomore signal-caller completed 24 of his 33 passing attempts for 305 yards and two touchdowns in Week 13 against Oklahoma State, giving him plenty of momentum heading into Thursday.
Swoopes commented on the importance of Thursday's game against TCU, via Jori Epstein of The Daily Texan:
"Sophomore QB Tyrone Swoopes: "A win this Thursday would be big for the program. Thanksgiving, everyone watching..they're a ranked opponent."
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) November 24, 2014"
If Boykin can regain his previous form, Swoopes may need the game of his brief career to keep the Longhorns in contention.
Finish Strong
While many points are expected to be posted by both of these teams, finishing strong on the defensive side of the ball will come into play. The inability to close out games has plagued both Texas and TCU this season, and this game could easily come down to one defensive stand.
The Horned Frogs suffered their only loss this year against Baylor in a high-scoring affair that saw the Bears win 61-58. With just over 10 minutes remaining in the game, TCU held a 58-37 lead. Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty led two quick touchdown drives, knotting up the game at 58, and a field goal as time expired won the game for the Bears in regulation due to 17 unanswered points.
Earlier this season, Texas faced a difficult opponent in UCLA. Quarterback Brett Hundley exited the game, forcing backup Jerry Neuheisel into action. He played well, and the game remained close throughout; however, a Swoopes touchdown pass put the Longhorns up 17-13 with just over five minutes remaining.
Soon after, Neuheisel completed a 30-yard pass to Paul Perkins inside the Longhorns' territory, but a Jordon James fumble was recovered by Texas, ending the threat. Swoopes and Co. were held to a 3-and-out, and following a good punt return, Neuheisel completed a 33-yard touchdown strike to Jordan Payton, winning the game for the Bruins.
Allowing big passing plays late in the game won't fly against Boykin and the Horned Frogs in Week 14.
When: Thursday, November 27
Where: Royal Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: Fox Sports 1
Live Stream: Fox Sports Go
Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 56.5
- Spread: TCU -6.5
Team Injury Reports
| B.J. Catalon | RB | 11/22/2014 | Questionable | shoulder |
| Devonte Fields | DE | 08/07/2014 | Out | disciplinary |
| Deante' Gray | WR | 11/22/2014 | Questionable | foot |
| Matt Joeckel | QB | 10/27/2014 | Out | leg |
| Shaun Nixon | RB | 08/14/2014 | Out | knee |
| David Ash | QB | 09/07/2014 | Out | concussion |
| Joe Bergeron | RB | 07/25/2014 | Out | disciplinary |
| Roderick Bernard | WR | 10/28/2014 | Out | knee |
| Chevoski Collins | S | 07/25/2014 | Out | disciplinary |
| Dominic Espinosa | C | 09/03/2014 | Out | ankle |
| Kennedy Estelle | T | 09/23/2014 | Out | disciplinary |
| Rami Hammad | G | 08/18/2014 | Out | personal |
| Desmond Harrison | T | 09/08/2014 | Suspended | disciplinary |
| Erik Huhn | S | 09/04/2014 | Out | knee |
| Montrel Meander | WR | 08/04/2014 | Out | disciplinary |
| Alex Norman | DT | 10/23/2014 | Out | back |
| Miles Onyegbule | TE | 08/14/2014 | Out | knee |
| Jalen Overstreet | RB | 07/25/2014 | Out | disciplinary |
| Elijah Rodriguez | OL | 10/23/2014 | Out | concussion |
| Kendall Sanders | WR | 08/04/2014 | Out | disciplinary |
| Jaxon Shipley | WR | 11/23/2014 | Probable | leg |
Injury reports per The Sports Network, via USA Today.
Prediction
One thing that's kept TCU alive when Boykin has struggled is its running game. This team has a very talented running back in Aaron Green, and he's coming off a great showing against Kansas, ripping off 128 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. He's really come into his own of late, notching three 100-yard performances in his last three games, and he's always a threat to hit a home run.
Texas has a couple of talented backs in Johnathan Gray and Malcolm Brown, but they've been a little erratic lately. Brown managed only 31 yards on 15 carries against Oklahoma State, and he's averaged fewer than four yards per carry in three of his last five games. It's been a similar story for Gray, who had a great three-touchdown showing against West Virginia but also averaged four yards per carry or fewer in five games this season.
Keeping a balanced offense will be crucial for any kind of offensive success in this game, and entering Week 14, the Horned Frogs appear to be more capable of achieving just that.
Prediction: TCU 37, Texas 30
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