Ohio State Football: Buckeyes edge TCU in neutral site thriller

1. TCU is the most complete football team in the Big 12

The Big 12 catches plenty of flak, and deservedly so, for their pass-happy, defensively challenged teams. Even Oklahoma demonstrated they have work to be done on the back end in their win over Iowa State in Week 3. TCU, though, proved they’re not a one trick pony.

The Horned Frogs threw the ball efficiently (60 percent passings for 308 yards), ran the ball effectively (36 carries for 203 yards) and played hard-nosed defense. Ohio State entered the game averaging 65 points per game. The TCU defense held the Ohio State offense to 26 points, with two touchdowns scored by the Buckeyes’ defense. The Buckeyes’ punt team got a lot more work than they’re used to tonight, and the same will be true of the Frogs’ conference opponents this season.

Not only is TCU strong in every phase of the game, they have big play candidates scattered all over their team. The biggest play against Ohio State came midway through the second quarter with the Frogs trailing 10-7. Darius Anderson took a handoff and disappeared down the field, taking the 93-yard carry all the way to the house. It was the longest rushing touchdown in TCU history.

Teams that can beat you on the ground, through the air and with their defense are rare. If TCU doesn’t beat themselves they’re hard to take down. At the very least, the Horned Frogs are going to be in the mix for an important bowl game come December.