Today's matchup between TCU and Cincinnati is a tough way for both schools to start the season. Both teams are expected to challenge Louisville and Southern Mississippi for the Conference USA title.
TCU will take the field looking to dictate the tempo with their stellar defense, while Cincinnati hopes that their spread attack on offense will be one of the more potent units in the conference returning 3 big play receivers and their quarterback.
TCU will look to play smashmouth football on offense with 4 returning starter on the offensive line and 2 proven running quarterbacks. They receive a great boost in the backfield this season as well with Texas transfer Kenny Hayter. Hayter gives the Horned Frogs a big, strong, between the tackles back who will compliment their returning tailback duo of Ricky Madison and Corey Connally, both of whom had impressive moments in injury plagued seasons.
The main concern on offense is the quarterback position. Sean Stilley and redshirt freshman Tye Gunn will be able to run the football, but neither has shown the ability to engineer the passing game. Stilley completed 63% of his passes while filling in last year, but he wound up with 4 interceptions and only 3 TD passes. Look for TCU to stick with their bread and butter which is the running game once again this season.
On defense, TCU is as good as it gets in Conference USA. For this reason, they will be in almost every game they play in conference this season. They will line up in a 4-2-5 set with 3 safeties. This provides them with more speed to defend against the 3 wide receiver sets that have become increasingly popular in the pass oriented conference. It also gives offensive coordinators fits trying to prepare blocking schemes for the unconventional set. They will get after the Cincinnati offense and try and put pressure on the quarterback.
Cincinnati on the other hand has plenty of offensive stars and not much defense. The Bearcats offense will be able to put up some big time numbers this year if all goes as planned.
They are led by sophomore quarterback Gino Guidugli who took the nation by storm last year throwing for over 2,500 yards and 16 TDs. His top three receivers (LaDaris Vann, Tye Keith, and Jon Olinger) all return as does tailback DeMarco McCleskey who ran for 765 yards and 7 TDs last year while splitting time. He will be pushed by new arrivals Tedric Harwell and Ohio State transfer Richard Hall for playing time. Whoever the feature back is, they will have the benefit of running behind an experienced and physical offensive line. This will be a fun offense to watch this season.
The defense will need to improve by leaps and bounds this season if Cincinnati hopes to be a true contender. A major improvement is not only needed, it is expected. Last year's unit was young and needed a season of experience together and get use to 1st year Defensive Coordinator A.J. Christoff and his 4-3 system. They will need to stop the run which is what TCU will try and do all day. The Bearcats gave up an astounding 176 yards a game on the ground last year.
The defensive line was the weakness last year, and it could be a rough spot again this year as five projected starters up front and at linebacker missed spring drills due to off field problems. The secondary is solid and will be tested later in the year with so many passing teams in the conference. Just don't expect them to see much action on Monday as TCU tries to jam it down their throats.
These two teams both feel they can compete for the Conference title. They are as opposite as any two teams you will find in any conference. TCU will play smashmouth football on offense while relying on their defense and special teams to keep them in games. Cincinnati will try and match opponents score for score with a potent aerial attack and quick, agile running backs. There defense is put on the field in hopes of getting a stop here and there to let the offense outscore the opponent.
Look for both teams to be good at what they do best this season. TCU will play great defense and Cincinnati should have a potent offense. Both teams should finish in the top 4 of the conference.
TCU +3 -107 1 Unit
GL
