Our new TCU expert, Pat Burns, will be attending today's game against Portland State, and had these thoughts to share before kickoff.
It's probably a good thing the TCU Horned Frogs (2-1, 1-0) are not in the Big 12 conference this season. After coming back strong from their opening loss to Baylor against Air Force two weeks ago, the Frogs came out flat in their home opener against Louisiana-Monroe. They gave up 17 points in the first quarter, something you never expect to see with a defense coached by Gary Patterson. While TCU was able to make it look like a blowout in the box score, it was anything but easy.
So, the Frogs, who have been rumored this week to replace Texas A&M in the Big 12 this week, are lucky their opponent is Portland State, an FCS school instead of having to face a top-tier squad. The defense will be without linebacker Tanner Brock, who will be out for the remainder of the season, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
By far, the most impressive player this year for TCU has been QB Casey Pachall. The redshirt sophomore has completed 69 percent of his passes, with 7 TDs to only 1 INT. He's also led the offense to an average of 40.3 points per contest in their first three games. Look for the Frogs today though to control the ball via their rushing attack with Waymon James, Matthew Tucker and Aundre Dean (Ed Wesley is still out after hurting his shoulder against Baylor).
Portland State's offense currently is tops among FCS schools in rushing, which should be a good thing for TCU, whose inexperienced secondary has been picked apart this season. While PSU is off to their best start since 2006, this should be a game TCU handles with ease.