Most of these previews have been cautionary analysis of beatable teams for the Horned Frogs, but this week is a bit more of a challenge. BYU is the most complete team that TCU has faced and they’re coming off of the heels of a heavyweight fight against Tech. It’ll be interesting to see how the Cougars handle an emotional letdown of getting dominated in Lubbock and if they can collect themselves for a strong showing at home. The same could be said about TCU from the fan’s perspective, we’re all wondering how TCU recovers from losing another winnable contest. They’ll have their work cut out for them in all three phases.
Offense
The only real question BYU’s offense had to address this offseason was how they would replace Jake Retzlaff at quarterback and Bear Bachmeier has answered. The BYU offense has had to build the plane mid-flight in some regards, but Bachmeier has proved more than capable of captaining an offense this deep. While almost a lock for Big 12 Newcomer of the year, Bachmeier is averaging over 200 pass yards and over 45 rush yards per game and leading the team to 33 points per game. The Freshman has handled business as the signal caller and bailed them out with his legs in key moments of the season.
Speaking of ground game, LJ Martin is a star in his own right that shouldn’t be overlooked. Martin has logged 840 yards on the ground through nine games and has 135 more carries than the next most often used running back. The Cougars are clear in their approach, Martin will not be splitting reps with anyone and he is their battering ram used to wear down opposing defenses. Martin and Bachmeier have combined for 14 scores on the ground and excel in short yardage situations (not good for the Frogs).
The X-factor for the Cougars this season has been their WR duo of Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston. Roberts plays well beating man-coverage on the outside and has demonstrated high-end jump-ball capabilities as the deep threat. Kingston will be utilized in space and through the motion game to find holes in the defense, probably motioning away from Bud Clark. Andy Avalos doesn’t normally man-up his corners but I could see him assigning Vernon Glover to Roberts to take away that option on the outside, solving Kingston with this safety group will be the real challenge.
Defense
Yeah sure, BYU is great on offense but can they also be great on defense? Definitely. This will be on par with the ASU defense that TCU faced in week 5. The Cougars have forced 16 turnovers, 12 being interceptions, and they’ll be keen on fixing their mistakes from last week’s game against Tech. Personnel-wise, BYU has a core four that matches up well with any offense that you put in front of them.
Two linebackers and two safeties make up this core four, excelling in coverage and tackling in the open field. The linebacker duo of Jack Kelly and Isaiah Glasker is the best combo TCU has faced this season. Kelly rocks a cowboy collar so you know I have to be a fan. It’s impressive to see someone so stiff just motor through every play without utilizing a dime worth of agility. Glasker cleans up whatever’s left over and has had 2 interceptions covering the seam & flats, he can be two places at once.
Rounding out the core four are Faletau Satuala and Tanner Wall, the safeties roaming the secondary. Satuala has done it all for the Cougars this season, compiling almost 60 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, and two picks with one of them taken to the house. He’s a spill killer on the edge, playing in the box but holds down his end of the no-fly zone. Wall plays more of a free safety role and ensures the middle third is taken care of between Therrien Alexander and Evan Johnson. Kendal Briles will need to be deep in his bag to solve this well-coordinated back-end.
Overall
This team is built to win, and I’m sure that’s exactly what they’ll do on Saturday. I didn’t touch on how strong they are in the trenches for each individual unit, but that’s exactly where their desire to win is personified with this squad. It all starts at the top with Kalani Sitake and this team wants to win for him. TCU will have to play near perfect his weekend in Provo to come out with a victory, something that they’ve yet to do for a full 60 minutes this season. Of course, games are not played on paper.
