College Football Predictions 2011: 10 Reasons Why TCU Will Be in the Title Game
TCU finished an undefeated season with a Rose Bowl win this past season.
But they can do better.
They lost some key players to graduation, but they are reloading.
Building off their undefeated momentum, here are 10 reasons why the Horned Frogs will be jumping for joy at the national championship game next year.
Ed Wesley
1 of 10
Ed Wesley returns for his junior year, bringing with him big talent to match big numbers.
Last season Wesley led the Horned Frogs in rushing and touchdowns, with 1,078 yards and 11 TDs respectively.
Expect much of the same from him next season.
Location, Location, Location
2 of 10
TCU's location in the Fort Worth area is extremely valuable.
To be one of the best football teams in one of football's best states is key for fan support and, more importantly, recruiting.
TCU will be able to reload the talent in the offseason and the seats during the season.
LaDarius Brown
3 of 10
Jeremy Kerley had a stellar career at TCU, but the Horned Frogs have lost him to graduation.
Enter LaDarius Brown.
Brown was ranked 17th for receivers, and 95th overall, by ESPN.
The 6'2'' wide receiver is a native Texan, long and athletic, with experience on both sides of the football.
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Casey Pachall
4 of 10
Casey Pachall did not take a lot of snaps last season playing behind Andy Dalton, but next year, the QB position is his to lose.
In nine attempts last season, Pachall completed six for a total of 78 yards, including a touchdown.
Pachall is a big kid (6'5''), he passed on some high-profile programs (Notre Dame, Florida) to play at TCU and the biggest growth period for college athletes comes between the freshman and sophomore years.
The sky's the limit.
Josh Boyce and the Receivers
5 of 10
Luckily for Casey Pachall, TCU's top receiver, Josh Boyce, is back.
Boyce got big yards last year, 646 off 34 receptions, leading to six touchdowns.
Boyce will lead the receivers again next year.
The group includes Brown, Antoine Hicks (13 receptions for 175 yards) and Skye Dawson (12 receptions for 170 yards).
Big East Move
6 of 10
In TCU's farewell season, expect them to dominate the Mountain West and go out with a bang.
Exposure
7 of 10
The Mountain West network doesn't get a lot of attention on the East Coast.
But with TCU completing an undefeated season and likely boasting a No. 2 preseason ranking going into the year, the rest of the country will be at attention.
The poll voters should give the Horned Frogs some respect next year and put them in the national championship.
Defense
8 of 10
ESPN.com says the TCU defense was scored on less than any other team in the country last year, giving up just 12 points a game.
They proved they can do it against stiff competition, holding a Wisconsin team that was averaging 53 points in its last five games to 19 points at the Rose Bowl.
If the Horned Frogs can keep up defense like that, they can beat anyone.
Winning the Rose Bowl
9 of 10
After finishing an undefeated season, Gary Patterson's third at TCU, these guys have to be hungry to begin again.
Expect the Horned Frogs to play like they have something to prove.
Gary Patterson
10 of 10
Head coach Gary Patterson has found success at TCU, winning 10 games in seven out of 10 years in Fort Worth.
After their undefeated Rose Bowl season, Patterson received a contract extension through 2018.
That means one of the nations finest coaches will be patrolling the sidelines in a relaxed and confident manner next season, and the team will reap the benefits.
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