Welcome back for a rather somber version of Three Reasons Why as TCU plays Kansas in Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday.
The last time these two teams faced each other, they were the center of the college football universe with ESPN’s College GameDay hosting its weekly pregame show in Lawrence in 2022.
That was a long time ago and now this matchup will be between two of the Big 12’s more disappointing teams. TCU has dropped two straight in ugly fashion while the same could be said the Jayhawks and their three-game losing skid.
Someone’s season will get back on the right track on Saturday while the other will be inching closer to missing a bowl game. Here’s three reasons why TCU could be on either side of that equation.
Three reasons why TCU will snap its losing streak vs. Kansas
1. QB advantage: It didn’t work out last week against SMU, but this is another game where TCU should have the edge at quarterback with Josh Hoover. Hoover has thrown over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns to just two interceptions. Both picks came last week against SMU in a game that got away from TCU early. Meanwhile Jayhawks’ quarterback Jalon Daniels is posting career-lows across the board and he’s thrown seven interceptions in four games.
Hoover should bounce back, though the opportunity is also there for Daniels against TCU’s defense. But the edge still goes to Hoover and having the best quarterback always gives you an opportunity.
2. WR depth: The first two points go hand in hand, but TCU’s wide receivers are also playing at an elite level. Jack Bech has been the biggest surprise as he currently leads the Big 12 in receiving yards. Savion Williams remains the most talented player on the roster and the Horned Frogs are starting to get major contributions from Eric McAlister off the bench as he has 222 yards and a two touchdowns this season. That doesn’t even include JP Richardson in the slot.
Kansas has one great corner in Cobee Bryant, but after that it could be challenging for the Kansas secondary to matchup.
3. KU’s fourth quarter struggles: TCU has its own problems closing out games, but it’s still nothing like the Jayhawks. Kansas has had fourth quarter leads in every game this season, but somehow has found a way to lose the last three. The turnovers of Daniels have played a big part in that, but the Jayhawks defense has also struggled to come up with clutch stops in the fourth like in West Virginia’s last second drive last week.
Kansas has constantly found ways to lose games late and TCU has to be able to capitalize when the moment arises.
Three reasons why Kansas will extend TCU’s losing streak
1. Devin Neal: The run defense for the Horned Frogs has been an issue the last two weeks and there will be no reprieve against another one of the most elite running backs in the country. Neal has rushed for 100 yards in every game this season including against Power Four teams Illinois and West Virginia. Whether it’s ripping off big runs or churning out four yards a carry, Neal can do it all and compares favorably to UCF’s R.J. Harvey. Until TCU shows it can stop the run, the expectation has to be another 100-yard performance for Neal.
2. No balance: Like the run defense, the rushing offense hasn’t been in a good spot this season. The Horned Frogs struggled to run the ball against Stanford, SMU and Long Island. The inability to control the clock late against UCF with the ground game also doomed the Horned Frogs in their collapse in their Big 12 opener. The Jayhawks are stout against the run, only allowing 3.4 yards per carry and just over 120 yards a game. Those are solid numbers considering the Jayhawks’ early season competition. Will TCU’s ground game finally have a breakthrough moment?
3. Special teams issues: There have been so many other issues for TCU that the special teams mistakes have gone under the radar. The Horned Frogs allowed an easy punt return against SMU and almost allowed a kick return had a Mustang not stepped out of bounds by an inch. Kyle Lemmerman has a promising future, but isn’t automatic yet as a field goal kicker. One return or one missed field goal could easily be the difference victory and defeat for TCU.
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