The TCU Horned Frogs open their 2011 season on Friday night in Waco, Texas, as they take on Robert Griffin III and the Baylor Bears.
TCU is coming off their first-ever BCS bowl game win, when the Andy Dalton led Horned Frogs defeated Wisconsin 21-19 on New Year's Day in the Rose Bowl. Much has changed since then for TCU, though. The Horned Frogs lost five players to the draft, notably quarterback Andy Dalton, who was drafted in the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals. TCU also saw Marcus Cannon, Jeremy Kerley, Colin Jones and Malcolm Williams all become NFL draftees in April, with Cannon and Williams being selected by the New England Patriots - though Williams has since been cut.
With only five starters coming back on both offense and defense, it will certainly be interesting to see how the season plays out for the Horned Frogs, who haven't lost a single regular season game since 2008.
Sophomore Casey Pachall will have the tall task of replacing Dalton at quarterback this season. Pachall has only attempted nine passes thus far in his collegiate career.
TCU's defense will certainly be tested tonight against Baylor's quarterback, Robert Griffin III. Griffin threw for 3,501 yards last year and 22 touchdowns while rushing for eight more touchdowns on 635 yards. Griffin led the Bears to their first bowl game since 1994 and Baylor will certainly be looking to build on their success in 2011 behind Griffin.
The changes for the Horned Frogs aren't just on the roster this season. 2011 will serve as the final season for TCU in the Mountain West Conference as the school is set to begin Big East play next year.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CDT. Televised coverage can be found on ESPN.