Iowa State vs. TCU: TV Info, Spread, Injury Updates, Game Time and More
TCU saw a jump to No. 3 overall upon the release of the Week 15 College Football Playoff poll. However, the Horned Frogs are still in a tight race with several other contenders, and a big performance against Iowa State is necessary to secure a playoff berth.
Analysts are already looking into TCU's future, and Dan Wolken of USA Today tweeted his thoughts:
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
While the Cyclones are just 2-9 overall and 0-8 in the Big 12 this season, it would be foolish of TCU to look past its impending opponent. Iowa State has come close to upsetting several teams this season, losing to Kansas State, Texas and Texas Tech by four points or fewer.
Plenty of contending teams across the nation will be waiting to see how this game unfolds.
Aerial Battle
Obviously, the Cyclones will have their hands full keeping up with TCU's third-ranked scoring offense. However, if they're going to make a game of it, it will be on the arm of quarterback Sam Richardson.
Richardson's had his moments this season, but he's struggled at times as well. His roller-coaster year has led to a 57.9 completion percentage, 2,517 yards, 18 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He isn't much of a threat to run, but he can scramble when necessary, racking up 435 rushing yards and three scores on the ground.
The junior signal-caller will get his chances against a TCU defense ranked 92nd in the nation against the pass, allowing an average of 250.6 yards per game and a total of 17 passing touchdowns this season. Richardson will need to be in top form to compete with Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin.
Boykin has looked like one of the nation's premier quarterbacks at times this year. His seven-touchdown game against Texas Tech showed what he can do when everything is clicking. On the season, Boykin has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 3,254 yards, 26 touchdowns and six interceptions. He's also rushed for 598 yards and eight scores.
Expect the junior to have a nice day against an Iowa State pass defense that ranks 102nd in the nation, allowing an average of 260.6 passing yards per game and giving up a total of 15 scores through the air this year.
Start Fast
This goes for both teams and both quarterbacks.
Boykin and the Horned Frogs received their biggest scare this season from an unranked opponent on November 15 against Kansas. The Jayhawks jumped out to an early lead and were able to stay out in front by a 10-point margin midway through the third quarter. Late-game heroics, including a punt returned for a touchdown, saw TCU pull off the comeback win.
In that contest, Boykin began the game with a touchdown drive but started to falter soon after, scoring just a field goal for the remainder of the first half. Should he falter once again, that will open the door for Iowa State's signal-caller, who has thrown five touchdown passes and zero interceptions in the first quarter of games this season.
That's also the reason the Cyclones need to start fast, however.
Keeping up with TCU is a challenge in itself, but it becomes even tougher when you're playing from behind. This year, Richardson has not been an efficient passer when trailing in games. Here's a look at his splits:
| Leading | 864 | 7 | 3 | 9 |
| Trailing | 1,650 | 11 | 5 | 15 |
One of the most telling statistics is that four of Richardson's five interceptions when trailing have come when his team is behind by seven points or fewer. Those mistakes in a close game against TCU will cost the Cyclones dearly.
Getting points on the board in a hurry will be key for Iowa State to force an upset and for TCU to prevent one.
When: Saturday, December 6
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Channel: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Betting Lines (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 68
- Spread: TCU -34
Team Injury Reports
| Terry Ayeni | WR | 08/23/2014 | Out | knee |
| E.J. Bibbs | TE | 11/30/2014 | Questionable | knee |
| Quenton Bundrage | WR | 08/31/2014 | Out | knee |
| Brock Dagel | T | 10/09/2014 | Out | ankle |
| Jacob Dunning | T | 09/14/2014 | Out | Achilles |
| P.J. Harris | WR | 09/14/2014 | Out | ankle |
| Brandon Jensen | DT | 11/30/2014 | Questionable | ankle |
| Ben Loth | C | 08/07/2014 | Out | knee |
| Brett Medders | WR | 09/29/2014 | Out | undisclosed |
| Jevohn Miller | LB | 11/03/2014 | Out | knee |
| Levi Peters | LB | 09/08/2014 | Out | leg |
| Rob Standard | RB | 09/24/2014 | Out | personal |
| B.J. Catalon | RB | 11/30/2014 | Questionable | shoulder |
| Devonte Fields | DE | 08/07/2014 | Out | disciplinary |
| Deante' Gray | WR | 11/30/2014 | Questionable | undisclosed |
| Matt Joeckel | QB | 10/27/2014 | Out | leg |
| Shaun Nixon | RB | 08/14/2014 | Out | knee |
Injury reports per The Sports Network, via USA Today.
Prediction
A whole lot has to go right for Iowa State, and a whole lot has to go wrong for TCU, for this game to end in an upset. The Horned Frogs have run an extremely potent offense this season, averaging 46.1 points per game, and they are coming off a road contest against Texas in which they scored 48.
The team's defense is slightly underrated as well, ranking 26th in the nation in points allowed. Much of that has to do with the team's 18th-ranked run defense, which is giving up an average of 120.1 yards per game while allowing just 3.01 yards per carry.
A prolific TCU offense will score early and often, while a stout run defense will force the Cyclones to run a one-dimensional scheme, making it very difficult to get points on the board. Expect the Horned Frogs to win in a rout.
Prediction: TCU 48, Iowa State 14
All team rankings and statistics courtesy of NCAA.com and current as of December 3.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
