Friday, October 12, 2012

TCU @ Baylor

Scouting Report for TCU Horned Frogs(3-1) vs. Baylor Bears (3-1)
October 13, 2012- Floyd Casey Stadium, Waco,TX

TCU: With Iowa State winning 37-23 in Fort Worth, the Frogs 12 game winning streak came to an end. The Cyclones got had scored 10 points before the Horned Frogs scored their first touchdown. However, the Cyclones never trailed and thus getting another big victory. TCU kept it close most of the game, but Iowa State always had a answer.

The offense turned the ball over 5 times. Trevone Boykin was picked off 3 times. Twice because of staring down his receivers and one that was deflected and returned for a touchdown (20 YD return by David Irving). B.J. Catalon led all rushers with 86 yards, but had 2 fumbles. The defense had allowed 4 TD's in the air. To give benefit of the doubt, Iowa State QB Nick Barnett was named the starter just before kick-off and threw 3 of those TDs to Josh Lenz. Lenz got the 4th one on a trick play in the red zone.

Baylor: The Bears offense was rolling last week in Morgantown. Sadly, so was West Virginia's as they fell to the Mountaineers 70-63. While it was a record setting game for the Big 12 a couple of weeks ago, losing a ball game of that magnitude isn't easy to take in.

Nick Florence's 1st pass of the game was intercepted. After that, he managed to pass for 581 YDS and 5 touchdowns (29-47). Jared Salubi rushed for 86 YDS and 1 TD and Glasco Martin pitched in with 2 TDS. Terrance Williams had a big game with 17 catches for 314 YDS with 2 TDS. Sadly the defense couldn't slow down Heisman candidate Geno Smith. Smith's stat line: 45-51, 656 YDS and 8 TDS. Both Stedman Bailey (303 YDS, 5 TDS on 13 catches) and Tavon Austin (215 YDS, 2 TDS on 14 catches) just shredded the Baylor secondary.

What to watch for: If Matthew Tucker is able to go and play siginificant time, the Bears will be in trouble. Despite the fact if Tucker's ankle will let him play or not, Catalon needs to be aware of linebackers stripping the ball (especially on extra efforts). Aundre Dean will need to continue his play from last week (4.4 YPC and a catch for a 7 YD TD pass).

Conclusion: The difference between Boykin and Florence is experience. Yes, Boykin has played in every game this season (3 as the Wildcat option). But he is getting his second start as the every down QB. Hopefully for the Frogs, Boykin will be able to overcome his 3 INT performance. And against the Baylor defense (allowed 112 points in the last 2 games), Boykin could make the transition. But if the Bears high octane spread offense gets going, then TCU will be building on a losing streak.

Prediction: Baylor by 6.


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