Texas Christian University

Type of Offense: Spread.  Zone read running plays and nearly all passing plays from the shotgun formation.  There is rare to no use of a fullback.  Tight End is used primarily as a blocking back (extra OL).  Nearly all runs are made by the RB and QB save the occasional end around with the WR.

Type of Defense: 4-2-5. This nickel based defense is set up for teams that like to run nickel out of their base coverage. It uses 2 linebackers and an extra defensive back that plays a rover type of position in which he can support the run but also drop in coverage. For the most part the defense relies on players knowing the scheme and not needing to blitz extra men to get pressure on the quarterback. This defense can be exposed somewhat with an offense that is a power rushing  team.

• Run/Pass %: 64/36
• Run/Pass Attempts: 600/331
• Points Per Game: 41.6
• Points Allowed Per Game: 12.0

Key Returning Players:
• Ed Wesley, RB: Wesley is the leading returning tackler with 1078 yards rushing with 11 TDs in addition to 8 catches for 62 yards in 2010. With the loss of a multi-year starter at quarterback, Wesley should be able to expand his role and move to 1200 or even 1300 yards in 2011.
• Tanner Brock, LB: Leading returning tackler for the Horned Frogs in 2010 making 106 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception, and 2 fumble recoveries. Playing alongside the reigning conference defensive player of the year Brock more than held his own and may even get one of those trophies himself in 2011.

Key Incoming Freshmen:
• Ladarius Brown, ATH: This 4 star athlete out of Texas has the size 6-2 190 pounds and speed (4.4 40) to find a place on the field in 2011. TCU has a habit of moving players from their high school position to a new one in college and making it work more times than not. Only guessing, Brown will end up as a wide receiver for the Horned Frogs.
• Chuck Hunter, DT: This 4 star defensive tackle out of Louisiana is 6-1 294 pounds and could play immediately on the line for TCU. He has been a dominant force in high school and TCU got one very good player in Hunter.

Overall Assessment:
How do you improve on a 13-0 season culminating in a victory over a Big 10 team in the Rose Bowl? It will not be easy especially with the loss of multi year starter Andy Dalton at quarterback but there are several pieces remaining that can step in and make plays for the Horned Frogs. They may not go 13-0 in 2011 but they will have another great year under Coach Gary Patterson as he has this program humming at levels not seen since Doak Walker roamed the field. On offense it will be all about Ed Wesley and his running ability to take pressure off the new starter at quarterback. On defense those two linebackers are both studs and will get the chance to play at the next level after they leave Fort Worth. With trips to Baylor, Air Force, SDSU, and Boise in 2011, this will be an incredibly difficult schedule for TCU to run undefeated through. Overall, 12-1 with a nice bowl win or 11-2 is about the ceiling for the Horned Frogs but you never know how well the team will gel in 2011.