Your Early Thoughts on TCU
JJ and Donovan said they're already looking ahead...so I'm going to look ahead.
The CFP field is all but set, with Georgia, Michigan, TCU, Ohio St. - in that order.
With that in mind, thoughts on TCU?
Overall: 12-1
PCT: .923
Conf: 9-0
PCT: 1.000
Streak: L1
Home: 6-0
Away: 6-0
Neutral: 0-1
2022 Football Schedule
September 2, 2022, Colorado, W, 38-13
September 10, 2022, Tarleton, W, 59-17
September 24, 2022, SMU, W, 42-34
October 1, 2022, Oklahoma, W, 55-24
October 8, 2022, Kansas, W, 38-31
October 15, 2022, Oklahoma State, W, 43-40 (2 OT)
October 22, 2022, Kansas St., W, 38-28
October 29, 2022, West Virginia, W, 41-31
November 5, 2022, Texas Tech, W, 34-24
November 12, 2022, Texas, W, 17-10
November 19, 2022, Baylor, W, 29-28
November 26, 2022, Iowa St., W, 62-14
December 3, 2022, Kansas St. (Big 12 Championship Game), L, 28-31 (OT)
Athlon Sports Season Preview: https://athlonsports.com/college-football/tcu-football-horned-frogs-prediction-preview-2022
(and their Big XII Championship Game preview: https://www.google.com/amp/s/athlonsports.com/.amp/college-football/big-12-championship-kansas-state-wildcats-vs-tcu-horned-frogs-prediction-picks-2022)
- Going into today TCU was #16 in Total Offense and #74 in Total Defense.
- Numbers wise, their offense is better than PSU, but not quite OSU. Overall, they're pretty balanced.
- They put a lot on their QB, Duggan, who is a Heisman candidate...but he wasn't the starter at the beginning of the year. They also have a WR who could play tomorrow (in the NFL), if they'd let him.
- Their rush defense numbers are favorable to Rutgers. They play a 3-3-5 and they average sized up front.
December 4th, 2022 at 3:35 AM ^
I don’t know shit about fuck but am curious to hear from people who do.
December 4th, 2022 at 3:39 AM ^
You do sound like a guy who knows fuck about shit. Please, do extrapolate.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:45 AM ^
Some things I know for sure. Like if you fuck shit up, that’s a good thing. If shits fucked up, that’s a bad thing. You don’t want a shitty fuck but sometimes you need to fucking shit. That about sums it up, I think.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:18 AM ^
Well done
December 4th, 2022 at 10:55 AM ^
Brilliant! 😂
December 4th, 2022 at 11:05 AM ^
Now I understand the meaning of life a lot better - THANKS
December 4th, 2022 at 3:40 AM ^
Bring that big 12 ass defense..
December 4th, 2022 at 9:56 AM ^
Wait, are we talking about Ohio State now?
December 4th, 2022 at 3:41 AM ^
There’s a lot of people on this board that didn’t and continue to think they’re not a good team. So that means they’re likely pretty good, and the Big 12 was better overall than the Big Ten this year.
Advantage Michigan offense against their defense but unlike OSU I believe their offense will be hard to shut down so I’d say pretty evenly matched, maybe slight advantage Michigan. They’re not Georgia that’s for sure.
December 4th, 2022 at 3:51 AM ^
I recommend a 1-5 year self-ban for all the bullshit you have posted this season. No one will miss you.
December 4th, 2022 at 3:57 AM ^
This guy is a clown. Better to just downvote him to oblivion and not feed the troll.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:02 AM ^
Which part is BS here? The line will likely be Michigan between 6 and 9 points.
Edit: Line on FanDuel is Michigan -9.5 right now. Interestingly Georgia is only a 6.5 point favorite over OSU right now. I expect these to change by January slightly.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:13 AM ^
The always overrated Buckeyes
December 4th, 2022 at 4:15 AM ^
Don’t worry there will be riveting comments you can handle soon like “big twelve is trash” or “Michigan going to score 70 on that defense”.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:45 AM ^
Our top end of the scoring spectrum is pretty firmly in the area of 50 points.
December 4th, 2022 at 10:40 AM ^
Not to pile on or anything, I do think the coaches will respect their offense, but they are also in the running for worst defense in the country, trying their hardest to give up more 40 yard plays than their opponents this season, think they were flirting with 70(!) total after yesterday. Seems every bit like OSU, Purdue, and TCU are just progressively lesser versions of each other. I'm betting they get 2 touchdowns in the first half, and 4 field goals after that.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:10 AM ^
He's been called out for trolling enough to be immune. This will continue for as long as he's posting here.
It is what is it.
December 4th, 2022 at 10:00 AM ^
OSU will destroy TCU. PSU will beat them but it will be close. They don't have a methodical game and they rely too much on big plays down field. Their running game is decent but not their running game can be stuffed enough. They are another team that does not do well on 3rd down running. That is not a good recipe against good teams.
Why don't you put some facts that you think is the reason why they are a better team than OSU or PSU. Forget UM, which you obviously hate troll.
December 4th, 2022 at 4:19 AM ^
I think they’ll score some points, but I don’t think they’ll hold up well on defense. 45-28, Michigan.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:34 AM ^
Recent history supports your prophecy Oracle. Our offensive line absolutely wears defenses down. Usually, time of possession is in our favor, making it even harder for defenses to hold up. But in this game, Purdue ran quite a few more plays than we did. Even then, on our final drive in the waning minutes we hammered them on the ground. They couldn't stop us. Both physically and mentally they were beaten and broken. Just like the Nuts were last year.
This year, the Nuts chose not to be pummeled and manballed methodically down the field. Instead, they chose to be gashed. Same result. Pick your poison.
Coach Harbaugh's brand of smashmouth offense is unique, effective and exceptionally difficult to defend in the 4th quarter.
We have 5 more weeks to enjoy of this season before next year when JJ's maturity and experience will probably help make 2023's squad even better.
Loving the ride. And as much as he likes to deflect the credit to his assistant coaches and players - and they certainly have helped - there is really only one person primarily responsible for this world class brand of complimentary football that we Michigan fans are privileged to enjoy: Jim Harbaugh
December 4th, 2022 at 9:17 AM ^
That Duggan dud, what a baller..I say we beat them, but spy this guy
December 4th, 2022 at 5:05 AM ^
Duggan seems to be their version of Sean Clifford. Not a superstar, but experienced guy that can be a danger through the air and on the ground - and is willing to sacrifice his body for the team. He will be a challenge.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:42 AM ^
That last TD drive was pure guts, a great example of "emptying the tank." By the end of it, he looked like he wanted to throw up. Who knows, maybe he did.
I told the MGoGirlfriend that I almost hope we don't play TCU, because normally, I'd like to root for this kid in whatever bowl game they play.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:12 AM ^
Agreed. I'd be cheering for him/TCU if Michigan wasn't playing.
December 4th, 2022 at 9:42 AM ^
Agree. And though he is a different type of QB, I felt the same way about O’Connell last night. Another gutsy kid.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:26 AM ^
There's no way the selection committee will allow a championship game with 2 potential Big-10 teams. Which is why we're gonna face OSU in the semifinals. Think of it as the real Big-10 championship game.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:11 AM ^
Georgia & Alabama anyone…..
December 4th, 2022 at 6:54 AM ^
Twice
December 4th, 2022 at 8:55 AM ^
SEC bias at its finest. That's exactly my point. They don't want a Big-10 slobber fest in the championship game.
December 4th, 2022 at 9:22 AM ^
I think what he’s suggesting is that the CFP won’t allow for the SEC to not be represented in the title game. Not that they won’t allow two from the same conference in the title game.
Not that I agree with the premise.
December 4th, 2022 at 9:26 AM ^
Yes, exactly this.
December 4th, 2022 at 9:43 AM ^
And Bama LSU.
December 4th, 2022 at 9:48 AM ^
I am going to hear so much shit this week about how the Committee hates Bama…..
December 4th, 2022 at 9:06 AM ^
I like your suggestion but OSU had their chance at the de-facto B1G championship and lost by 22 on their home field to end their regular season. Michigan then went on to win the actual B1G championship for back-to-back years.
These are facts…
December 4th, 2022 at 9:20 AM ^
But that is exactly what could happen in the championship game if M and OSU win their respective matches. The committee will tolerate an M-OSU rematch in the semifinal, but not in the championship game. There's no fucking way they will set it up so that the SEC or Big-12 are potentially excluded from the title game.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:43 AM ^
Duggan’s legs worry me quite a bit, both because he’s legitimately dangerous and because Michigan hasn’t faced anyone like him this season.
He’s going to extend plays and he’s going to pick up chunks of annoying yardage when the play should be contained. It’s what he does, it’s going to happen, we have to limit it best we can.
Someone mentioned Clifford, but Clifford doesn’t run like this kid can. And keep in mind that Clifford has the longest run against Michigan this season.
TCU lost today, but Duggan’s legs carried them back into the game. He’s a gamer. In fact, taking the ball out of his hand during 3rd and 4th down and goal in OT absolutely cost TCU the game.
Michigan is more talented on both sides of the ball and will be favored, but it won’t be easy.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:29 AM ^
I compared him to Clifford; but Michigan has also faced Tualia. There is some precedent.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:14 AM ^
I feel ya. Duggan is a better runner than Clifford while having the throw-it-up-for-grabs ability of Hackenburg. TCU has a bad rush defense, though, which will result yet another Michigan paving.
December 4th, 2022 at 5:56 AM ^
My early thought is TCU is very beatable. Duggan is the x-factor and can definitely take over but I think if we can contain him or at least mitigate his ability to do so they will be in for a rough time.
As always, I think our offensive scheme will wear them down very quick as we are the type of team they have yet to play and thus will be hard for them to prepare for.
That being said... I'm drinking the Maize and Blue Kool-Aid for sure.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:51 AM ^
Mike Morris should or will be back on defense by Dec 31st. Any other guys who have been knicked up or banged up should be much closer to 100%.
Hopefully, Donovan's cast will come off. Looking at it from just the Michigan perspective, I feel more confident. Don't forget Will Johnson becoming a superstar before our eyes.
JJ could also be an x factor much like Duggan. JJ has been held back from running the ball much this season. If it's all on the line, JJ is also capable of some amazing plays on the ground.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:26 AM ^
I like our chances. They play next to no D, or should I say, big 12 D. I believe a steady dose of Donovan and maybe even a huge dose of Mullings could demolish their will. They’re gonna arm punt every other play so getting in the backfield early and often is gonna be big. Hopefully we’re back to full strength and pinning our ears back.
December 4th, 2022 at 6:42 AM ^
3-3-5 average size up front sounds pretty delicious to me.
December 4th, 2022 at 8:14 AM ^
Aside (as UNC's post is fine), word association for a whole generation of Michigan fans:
3-3-5:
- RichRod
- Tony Gibson
- 3-9
Change it to a 4-2-5? OK, everything is cool. We won't get run over.
3-3-5: What if you have three 300# D-linemen and four 240# linebackers? Could it work then? (I know TCU doesn't have that.)
December 4th, 2022 at 6:43 AM ^
We'll shred them when we have the ball. On the other side, we absolutely must spy Duggan on every play.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:49 AM ^
TCU may have an even better claim to being a second-half team than Michigan. Their MO is to fall behind by multiple scores and then try frantically to catch up.
That plan will not work against Michigan. Being down 2 scores in the fourth quarter, with a decidedly non-stout rushing defense, is a recipe for an L, even if Corum isn’t back. The Michigan OL will grind TCU into paste.
TCU’s only hope — and it’s a real one — is to use the four weeks of prep time to figure out a way to get a two-score first half-lead, prior to Michigan’s second-half adjustments, and hope they can hold on for dear life.
That said, I like Michigan to win fairly comfortably. TCU has been playing with fire all year. They finally got burnt against KSU, but here’s the thing — these comebacks have been against Big XII “defenses.” They haven’t tried to come back against Jesse Minter yet.
December 4th, 2022 at 7:49 AM ^
Stop Duggan, stop TCU. It's that simple. Their offense is balanced, but it starts/stops with the QB. They threw a ton of jump balls yesterday, many on early downs. The script would be as usual for Michigan's offense.
.....of course this is all based on The Committee doing what they should do, so who the hell knows
ps- fuck bama, they don't deserve it
December 4th, 2022 at 8:57 AM ^
Given how Will Johnson is becoming a superstar on defense with his 2 more INTs last night, I'll ride with him on those 50/50 balls. Then there's Mike Sainristill who can make those near impossible pass breakups.
As for me to pick my poison: I'd rather see 'Bama get the 4th spot than the buckeyes of OSU. Either way, that 4th spot is not very attractive. The CFP Committee could very have 'Bama jump OSU. There will be a lot of drama and anticipation in a few hours for that 4th spot.
December 4th, 2022 at 9:39 AM ^
They’re not changing the order of osu/bama. They already set that order last week and both were idle this week
December 4th, 2022 at 11:18 AM ^
but then the fighting Sabans had that overtime win (sorry I meant overtime WHINE) last night.