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2012 TCU Horned Frogs College Gambling Odds | Predictions

2012-13 Football Previews (Big 12) – TCU

During the 12-year (and counting) tenure of head coach Gary Patterson of the football team at Texas Christian University, he’s always made sure his squad brings it’s A-game when the nation’s elite competitors were in town. That sort of caged-animal, “never say die” attitude is what precipitates TCU’s move from the Mountain West to the Big 12 this season. This is a tough program that relishes the chance to play the Oklahomas and Texases of the world.

Big 12 2012-13 Football Previews: TCU Horned Frogs
Coach: Gary Patterson
2011 Record: 11-2
TCU Gambling Odds from Sportsbook.com to win BCS: 75-1

Hopefully it’s not a case of “be careful what you wish for,” as TCU will be squaring off against those blue-chip programs every year now. If history is any indication, Patterson has his teams playing above their heads; they come from the mid-major Mountain West and were a missed FG in the Big 12 title game away from playing in the National Championship in 2009 (they ended up in the Fiesta Bowl, and followed that up with a Rose Bowl appearance in 2010). We’ll see what the team is really made of in its new conference.

It’s hard to not be at least reasonably confident when you have a guy like QB Casey Pachall under center. Pachall may be even better than record-setting pivot Andy Dalton, who is currently starting for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL. He finished just shy of 3,000 yards passing on the season with 25 TDs last year, and that is with one of the deepest RB corps in the nation. He goes at 6”5, 216-lbs and possesses next-level athletic ability. He should continue to flourish as a junior.

Like I said, the RBs are deeper than you would ever need them. Even if there were an injury to the top guy, the unit would still have depth. So much so, in fact, that last year’s leading rusher (then-sophomore Waymon James) will likely be third on the depth chart in ’12. The carries will be shared by James and seniors Ed Wesley, Matthew Tucker and UCLA transfer Aundre Dean. The top three leading receivers return, but look out for redshirt freshman LaDarius Brown, who is 6”4, 220-lbs, but also has sub-4.5 speed. Brown has unbelievable physical tools and should contribute before long. [soliloquy id=”82219″]

Even with a lot of attrition to graduating, the defense might be stronger in 2012. Defensive end Stansly Maponga is a beast who had nine sacks in ’11 and should improve still. Defensive end/DT ‘tweener David Johnson is also an animal, and joins Maponga in what should be a formidable defensive line for the Horned Frogs. Outside ‘backer Kenny Cain is a tackling machine, as is sophomore safety Jonathan Anderson.

2012-13 TCU Football Prediction: 8-5

TCU’s 2012 schedule is difficult, but it is very bottom-heavy. It’s quite possible that the Horned Frogs could start out the season 7-0; Baylor or the ACC’s Virginia Cavaliers probably pose the starkest threat in those games, and neither team is particularly strong this year. After that, though, it’s an absolute gauntlet. With road games at Oklahoma State, West Virginia, and Texas to go with home contests with Kansas State and Oklahoma, that’s when the real flavor of the Big 12 will settle with Patterson and his kids.

I could see the Frogs grabbing six or seven victories from their first seven contests, but then only wresting one or two wins away from the big boys in their remaining games. It will be damn-near impossible to duplicate 2011’s fantastic 11-2 finish.

2012 TCU Schedule

9/8/12 TBD GRAMB
9/15/12 TBD @KANS
9/22/12 TBD VIRG
9/29/12 TBD @SMU
10/6/12 TBD IOWST
10/13/12 TBD @BAY
10/20/12 TBD TXTCH
10/27/12 TBD @OKLST
11/3/12 TBD @WVIRG
11/10/12 TBD KANST
11/24/12 TBD @TEXAS
12/1/12 TBD OKLA

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By James Hayes

James has been naming every player on the EA Sports video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. Your comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!