TCU Football: 3 bold predictions vs the SMU Mustangs
2. Courtland Sutton catches 10 balls against the Horned Frog’s defense
TCU’s defense has fared incredibly well this season after ranking 73rd in the nation in 2016. Over the first two games of the 2017 season, the Horned Frog’s defense has ranked fourth in the nation in total defense, having only allowed 110 plays for 332 yards and a single touchdown.
But the Horned Frogs haven’t faced a receiver quite like Courtland Sutton yet. In the SMU Mustang’s first two games of the season, Sutton has caught 10 passes for 185 yards and five touchdowns, good for 18.5 yards per catch. At six-foot-four, 215 pounds, the second team All-American from Brenham, Texas, possesses a freakish combination of size, speed, athleticism that screams future first-round NFL wide receiver.
He could give TCU’s defense fits at the Amon G. Carter Stadium. While the majority of Sutton’s damage has been done on the outside with deep and intermediate passing routes, he has the unique skill-set to terrorize TCU’s defense from all three levels of the field.
If TCU decides to blitz and bring pressure early, Sutton possesses the big body needed to catch short passes and extend their impact with extra yards after the catch. If TCU decides to drop eight into coverage, Sutton possesses the speed and catch radius to break off plays against broken coverage. He could even play in the slot if that provides the best matchup.
Much like last year’s small school breakout receiver Corey Davis, who turned a dominant career at Western Michigan into a top-5 selection in the 2017 NFL draft, Cortland Sutton is a complete receiver, who will be a star on Sunday just like he was on Saturdays.
And if TCU wants to defeat SMU on the third Saturday of the 2017 college football season, they will need to find a way to contain Cortland Sutton, but as every team who’ve faced off against the Mustangs over his still young career can attest, that’s easier said than done