Texas football looks to avoid massive letdown vs. TCU in Week 5

After a miracle comeback over Texas Tech, Texas football is looking for an easier time against a recently defeated TCU.

With both teams Week 4 contests in doubt, this could’ve easily been a rebound game for both teams. However, Texas made sure that would not happen in Lubbock.

A defense that was, by the end of the year, depleted with injuries and added a new defensive coordinator, were looking for optimism. Although the Longhorns got the win, they gave up 56 points in the process to a team that only score 35 against Houston Baptist.

Sam Ehlinger had a fantastic  game, throwing for six touchdowns. Joshua Moore caught a trio of them and is right now, looking like Texas’s No. 1 receiver for 2020.

For TCU, it was a less exciting result as the Horned Frogs fell, in Fort Worth to Iowa State, 37-34.

Sophomore quarterback Max Duggan had one of his best games in a TCU uniform, passing for 240 yards and 3 touchdowns, hitting 3 different receivers in the process.

Coming into the season, the losses of running back duo Darius Anderson and Sewo Olonilua were going to be monumental. That reared it’s ugly head as the Horned Frogs seemed one-dimensional at times and could not run the football.

The biggest run of the game was 16 yards and TCU mustered all of 99 rushing yards on a whopping 44 attempts.

Last years matchup between these two featured a TCU win at home, with Duggan having three total touchdowns and the Horned Frogs defense picked off Ehlinger four times.

Only one receiver that caught a pass from that game returns for the Longhorns. For Texas, winning this game  will give them continuous momentum and a little extra cushion near the top of the Big 12, with Oklahoma falling last week.

For TCU, they are hoping to not replicate what they did in 2019, with missing a bowl game for the first time, since 2013. Getting an upset win here could help in the long run in confidence for a team with a relatively young offense and normally, sound defense.

Here’s how to watch the Longhorns and Horned Frogs contest on Saturday.

Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Austin, Texas
Venue: Darrell K. Royal Stadium
TV: FOX
Live Stream: FOX Sports Go

Keys to Victory

TCU has to find ways to established a sense of a run game. Especially with Texas doing a solid job in containing the running backs, apart from SaRodorick Thompson. The Longhorns gave up just 116 yards on 24 carries from the Red Raiders a week ago.

Emari Demercado is the lone upperclassmen out of the group and managed just a little under five yards a carry. Demercado also only got eight carries in the contest.

Demercado, however could be a difference when moved out of the backfield. He also collected five passes from Duggan for 42 yards. That kind of versatility out of the backfield is something TCU needs to take advantage of.

The key to completing the upset is getting more touches to Dermercado, so Texas doesn’t rush just only four and play zone coverage the entire game.

For Texas, a big key to their win last week was Interceptions. Texas had three of them, however the Horns let Tech’s receivers reach the end zone on five separate occasions.

The secondary has been inconsistent to say the least and needs to be consistent on Saturday.

There’s no reason why the Longhorns shouldn’t be up to the challenge, as they are loaded with experience in the backend, led by junior safety duo BJ Foster and Caden Sterns.

Cornerbacks Jalen Green and Anthony Cook are also good starters returning from last year’s squad. TCU has some solid young skill players, that Texas has to dominate if they can win this game.

Prediction

Although not predicted by many, TCU shocked the Longhorns last year, with stellar defensive back play and a fantastic ground game display from Anderson and Olinulia.

TCU is going to need one of its best performances from the offensive line and young skill group to come through with another shocker.

Ehlinger’s Heisman train has left the station for many, as a good performance here would only further his chances of becoming a Finalist, come December.

TCU’s defense makes some stops when needed and Demercado will be a factor. TCU makes this game closer than the 13-point spread, but Texas will prevail after Ehlinger does just enough with his arm to beat out the Horned Frogs.

Final Score: Texas 35, TCU 24