Grambling State @ TCU

Scouting Report for Grambling State Tigers(0-1) vs. TCU Horned Frogs (0-0)
September 8, 2012- Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth,TX

Grambling State: The Tigers of Grambling State looked like they were in control when they had a 21-9 lead going in to the 3rd quarter against Alcorn State. However, Braves RB Darius Smith had a 3 yard touchdown run with 9:36 remaining. Then Smith had the go ahead score from 4 yards with 1:35 to go. Despite missing the two point conversion, Alcorn State won the Port City Classic 22-21 in Shreveport.

The Tigers had 356 YDS rushing and scored all 3 TDS in the game. RB Juwan Martin scored in the 1st quarter from 8 yards. RB Anthony McGehee scored from 33 yards in the 2nd. And leading rusher RB Jeremy Runner (13 carries, 166 YDS) scored from a yard out in the 3rd.

TCU: The Horned Frogs have had a up and down offseason. The big news was that TCU is now a member of the Big 12. Even though they were supposed to be a member of the Big East, things were complicated for a bit, but now they are here. Then on February 15th, there was a drug bust on campus that received national attention. As a result, LB Tanner Brock, CB Devin Johnson, T T.J. Yendrey and OL Tyler Horn were dismissed after their arrests. But Amon G. Carter is now completely renovatated and is ready for some football.

TCU could've been without QB Casey Pachall (228-343, 2921 YDS, 25 TD and 7 INT). Pachall did fail a drug test earlier this year, but has entered therapy for it. The Frogs will hope that he can build on his game against Louisiana Tech (31-24 victory) at the Poinsettia Bowl (15-29 passing, 206 yards with a touchdown and interception).

What to watch for: TCU is now in their 4th conference in the FBS era. The Horned Frogs should take this game rather easily.

Grambling State should be proud of their running game (10.2 YPC). But the Tigers need to do better than 66 yards passing (all by D.J. Williams) to have a good showing against TCU in their home opener.

Conclusion: TCU should win big. The question is how big? Most experts would be surprised if Grambling State wins this game. But the bigger surprise will be if the Frogs don't take this Tiger team seriously. And if they don't, then Amon G. Carter Stadium will suffer the same fate as California's Memorial Stadium's reopening (Nevada 31-24).

Prediction: TCU by 45.

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