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Texas Longhorns Football: Five most important games in 2015

By Joey Ciccarello

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Dec 31, 2014; Atlanta , GA, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Trevone Boykin (2) runs against Mississippi Rebels defensive back Chief Brown (8) in the fourth quarter of the 2014 Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. The Horned Frogs won 42-3. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

1. October 3: Texas at TCU (12-1, 8-1 in 2014)

Last Season: TCU defeated Texas, 48-10, in Austin, TX

Almost nobody expected to TCU to rise from Big 12 doormat to national powerhouse in 2014. Now, however, the Horned Frogs open the season as a consensus top-three team, and present a whale of an opponent for Texas come week five.

Almost every important player returns on offense, led by quarterback Trevone Boykin. Boykin experienced a career revival as signal caller last season, and enters 2015 as a Heisman Trophy front-runner. Running back Aaron Green accompanies Boykin in the backfield, and should take on an even bigger role with the loss of B.J. Catalon.

Related: TCU Season Preview and Prediction

Receivers Kolby Listenbee and Josh Doctson are a formidable 1-2 combo, perhaps the only duo in the Big 12 that can match what K.D. Cannon and Corey Coleman offer at Baylor. Texas will probably not be able to stop TCU completely, but they need to do their best to at least slow down one of the country’s best offenses.

On defense, the secondary is the Frogs’ strong suit. Safety Derrick Kindred is the leading returning tackler, and will team up with sophomore cornerback Ranthony Texada to lead what should be a very respectable back four. Paul Dawson and Marcus Mallett are key linebacker departures, but coach Gary Patterson is high on this year’s crew, headlined by true freshman Mike Freeze.

Why is this the most important game of the year? Because, even into October, we may not know how good this Texas team actually is. TCU, provided they take care of business, should be 4-0 and ranked in the top five by the time this matchup rolls around.

On the other hand, nobody really knows where Texas will stand at this point. Realistically, the Longhorns could be anywhere from 4-0 to 1-3, depending on how fast and how well Strong’s group of talent gels. If they are 4-0 or 3-1, the pressure will be on Strong to pull off another road upset and keep the Longhorns in the national discussion; if they are 2-2 or worse, even more pressure will be on the ‘Horns to salvage what could be another lost season.

Next: Next Coach to Win First National Championship

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