TCU/BCS/2004

[50's PONY]

Posted on Fri, Apr. 09, 2004



TCU SPRING FOOTBALL REVIEW
Is BCS out of the question?
By Damien Pierce
Star-Telegram Staff Writer


SPECIAL TO THE STAR-TELEGRAM/RICHARD W. RODRIGUEZ
ROBERT MERRILL, ABOVE, AND ERIC BUCHANAN



Following a season in which TCU nearly scored one for the little guys with a Bowl Championship Series invitation, it didn't take the Frogs faithful long to ponder whether another BCS pursuit is plausible in 2004.

Well, that all depends.

The Horned Frogs, who were a regular-season victory shy of earning a possible BCS bid, are blessed with offensive experience and promising defensive talent heading into this season. But the purple and white still have several lingering questions after wrapping up another spring season Saturday.

Who will start at quarterback?

TCU coach Gary Patterson isn't in a rush to anoint a starter between his two proven quarterbacks -- Brandon Hassell and Tye Gunn -- and has entertained thoughts of playing each until one wins the job. So, get used to seeing both quarterbacks early on this season. But if one has a slight advantage, it's Hassell, who entered the spring listed as the first quarterback. He has more speed to run the option than Gunn, and has been more dependable from an injury standpoint. Gunn missed the bulk of the 2002 season with a knee injury and was sidelined in 2003 with shoulder and groin injuries.

What about running back?

This position might never be a one-man show again. With two talented backs, and the history of injuries at running back since that LT guy left, TCU is just fine with splitting the workload. Lonta Hobbs and Robert Merrill will share time this season, and each has the potential to rush for 1,000 yards. As long as both backs are healthy, "starter" is just a label at running back.

What was the biggest surprise of the spring?

Defense, baby, defense. The Frogs lost a colossal number of starters on defense, but spent the majority of the spring slowing down the offense. Heck, the score of the spring game was 7-3. Sure, the defense probably knows the offense's playbook, but with only three returning starters going through every drill, the score was a surprise.

What is TCU's biggest concern heading into this season?

The Horned Frogs are fielding an entirely new defensive line, but there are at least eight prospects to fill those four needs. That makes fullback the biggest concern. The Frogs are still trying to hunt down that lead blocker. Redshirt freshman Marcus Draper currently has the inside track, but he hasn't solidified his spot.

How much will kicker Nick Browne be missed?

Immensely, and that's no knock on the new guy. Browne was simply automatic on a team that usually needed every kick he made. Mike Wynn doesn't have experience, and the Frogs could easily be calling upon him in pressure moments that were second nature to Browne. Wynn has struggled at times this spring, and the pressure will only increase when people are in the stands. But without a bevy of kickers to replace Browne, it's up to Wynn to fill his shoes.

What is the offense's strength?

It's easy to praise the returning skill-position players, but there's little doubt the offensive line is the true strength of this unit. The Frogs are replacing only one starter, while tackle Anthony Alabi and center Chase Johnson are two of the top offensive linemen in Conference USA. There shouldn't be a problem finding running lanes in the fall.

And the defense?

Speed. The best illustration from the spring is how the defense handled running back Robert Merrill. The Frogs never tackled him during the 2003 spring workouts, but this spring they surrounded him. Guess what? Merrill didn't slow down.

Can the Frogs make another BCS run?

While the defense is still growing up, the Frogs are just as talented as they were last season. Will that convert into a BCS run? Who knows? But there are reasons to be optimistic. The one thing that has changed is the nonconference schedule, which was bashed like a piñata last season. Northwestern is tougher than every nonleague foe TCU dealt with last season, and the Frogs likely won't be favored in an early-season road trip to Texas Tech. But if the Frogs can leave West Texas with a victory, things begin looking eerily familiar. At the very least, the Frogs will be in the thick of the Conference USA title hunt.

2004 TCU football schedule

Date Opponent (TV)

Sept. 2 Northwestern (ESPN)

Sept. 11 SMU

Sept. 18 at Texas Tech

Sept. 25 South Florida*

Oct. 2 at Army*

Oct. 16 at Ala.-Birmingham*

Oct. 23 Houston*

Oct. 30 at Cincinnati*

TBA at Louisville* (ESPN)

Nov. 20 Southern Miss*

Nov. 27 Tulane*

Note: The game against Louisville will be played Nov. 9, 10 or 11; all game times TBA, and all game dates are subject to change.

*- Conference USA game


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To reach Damien Pierce, call (817) 390-7760 or send e-mail to dpierce@star-telegram.com.





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

© 2004 Star Telegram and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved.
http://