Sep 5, 2007, 16:14 GMT
Austin, TX - Intrastate foes collide in Austin this Saturday, as the 19th-ranked TCU Horned Frogs challenge the seventh-ranked Texas Longhorns in non-conference action from Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
It's the second straight game versus a Big 12 opponent for TCU, which blanked Baylor, 27-0, in its opener a week ago. The win was tough, but certainly not a surprise as the Frogs are 5-0 against Big 12 foes dating back to the 2005 season. The Frogs, though, haven't been just dominant against the Big 12, as they have won nine straight games overall dating back to last season. The nine consecutive victories is the fourth-longest winning streak in the nation at the moment.
As for Texas, it wasn't nearly as impressive in its opener, but it still earned a victory by posting a 21-13 decision over Arkansas State last weekend. It was the ninth win in the last 10 season openers for the Longhorns, who enter this contest having won 13 of their last 14 home games against ranked opponents. The 'Horns have been just as tough against in-state foes, winning 36 of their last 40 games.
This bout marks the 82nd all-time meeting between TCU and Texas on the gridiron but just the first since 1995 when the two were members of the Southwest Conference. The Longhorns won that meeting, 27-19, and they own a 60-20-1 all- time advantage against the Frogs. In games played in Austin, the 'Horns own a 31-11-1 advantage, including a 14-game winning streak.
The Horned Frogs were able to control the tempo with their ground attack last week, as they rushed for 181 yards in the 27-0 blanking of Baylor. The team did a good job of getting several guys involved, as five players had at least five carries in the game. Joseph Turner led the charge with 56 yards on nine totes, while Ryan Christian added 40 yards and a score on nine carries. Aaron Brown, however, carried the ball just five times for 27 yards, as he sustained an injury to his knee. Brown, the Preseason Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year, is listed as questionable for this game. His potential absence from the lineup will surely put more pressure on freshman quarterback Andy Dalton. Making his first collegiate start, Dalton was calm and composed last week as he completed 18-of-30 passes for 205 yards and a score. It was a good start for Dalton, who could struggle against a much tougher defense this weekend.
Defensively, TCU picked right up where it left off last year as it held Baylor to just 282 yards of total offense. The Frogs, who ranked second in the nation in total defense (234.9 ypg) in '06, gave up just 51 rushing yards on 25 carries. It was the 21st consecutive game in which TCU hadn't allowed a 100- yard rusher. The Frogs, however, did surrender 231 yards through the air to the Bears, although they made up for some of those yards by intercepting four passes. The team did all this without the services of defensive end Tommy Blake, who has been out on medical leave with an undisclosed illness. Blake, the Preseason MWC Defensive Player of the Year, is questionable for this contest. David Hawthorne stepped up in Blake's absence last weekend and he finished with a team-high 11 stops in the victory.
The Longhorns were expected to score points in bunches against a less-talented Arkansas State team last week, but that clearly did not happen. Texas, which returns seven starters from a unit that ranked 22nd in total offense (391.5 ypg) last season, gained a respectable 340 total yards versus the Indians, but a lot more was expected from this talented group. The team never really got its ground attack going, rushing for 117 yards on 38 totes. Despite the team's struggles to run the ball, Jamaal Charles had a solid game, amassing 112 yards and a score on 27 carries. Big things are expected this season from Charles, who gained 801 rushing yards a year ago. After throwing for 2,570 yards and 29 touchdowns during his rookie campaign in '06, quarterback Colt McCoy got off to a solid start last week. McCoy completed 22-of-33 pass attempts for 223 yards and two scores, although he was intercepted twice. His main target was Nate Jones, who finished with nine catches for 72 yards. Limas Sweed, the team's top returning receiver with 801 yards and 12 touchdowns in '06, also got into the action by catching five balls for 93 yards and a score.
Much like the offense, the Texas defense was less than stellar last weekend, allowing ASU to roll up 397 yards. The 'Horns, who permitted just 297.4 total ypg last season, gave up 272 yards through the air with just one interception to its credit. The unit, however, did record four sacks and it also stepped up on third downs, allowing the Indians to convert just 3-of-12 attempts. Still, the 26 first downs Texas surrendered is uncharacteristic of a Mack Brown coached team, especially against a school the caliber of ASU. Marcus Griffin and Ryan Palmer each posted 10 tackles in the win, while Frank Okam added three TFLs and 1.5 sacks.
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