TCU had one of the most unexpected seasons in college football history last year in reaching the national championship game. Could the Frogs get back there this year? Almost surely not with a lot of talent losses. Let’s break down Coach Sonny Dykes’ squad.

A Closer Look at the TCU Horned Frogs 2023 College Football Season

Sunday Stacks.
See you next weekend.#GoFrogs | #AllSteakNoSizzle pic.twitter.com/Xz4ux2l0s3

— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) August 27, 2023

TCU Horned Frogs 2023 College Football Schedule

• College Football Week 1: vs. Colorado Buffaloes — 12:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
• College Football Week 2: vs. Nicholls Colonels — 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
• College Football Week 3: at Houston Cougars — 8:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
• College Football Week 4: vs. SMU Mustangs — TBA (TBA)
• College Football Week 5: vs. West Virginia Mountaineers — TBA (TBA)
• College Football Week 6: at Iowa State Cyclones — TBA (TBA)
• College Football Week 7: vs. BYU Cougars — TBA (TBA)
• College Football Week 8: at Kansas State Wildcats
• College Football Week 9: OFF
• College Football Week 10: at Texas Tech Red Raiders — TBA (TBA)
• College Football Week 11: vs. Texas Longhorns — TBA (TBA)
• College Football Week 12: vs. Baylor Bears — TBA (TBA)
• College Football Week 13: at Oklahoma Sooners — TBA (FOX)
• College Football Week 14: BIG 12 Championship — 4:00 p.m. ET (ABC)

Can they be an upset again?

It’s hard to remember now, but TCU actually was upset in the Big 12 title game by Kansas State, but the voters still put the Frogs in the College Football Playoff. In the semifinal, they upset unbeaten Big Ten champion Michigan 51-45. TCU became the first Big 12 member to win a CFP contest and set a program record for points scored in a bowl game. The Horned Frogs totaled 488 yards of offense against a Michigan defense that entered the game allowing just 13.4 points and 277.1 yards per game. Heisman Trophy finalist and TCU QB Max Duggan totaled 282 yards of offense (225 passing, 57 rushing) and four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing).

However, TCU simply didn’t belong on the same field in the national title game as Georgia, losing 65-7. Still the Frogs were just the third team since 1998 to play in a national title game after being unranked in the preseason. TCU tied a program record with its 13 wins this season, equaling the 2010 team that went 13-0 en route to winning the Rose Bowl. Duggan’s 41 touchdowns responsible for (32 passing, 9 rushing) placed second in TCU history, behind only Trevone Boykin (42, 2104). Duggan is now in the NFL.

A Look into This Season’s Roster

Chandler Morris takes over as the starting QB. Morris has spent three collegiate seasons just waiting on his moment. After starting his career at Oklahoma and redshirting in his first season in Fort Worth a season later, 2022 was supposed to be his year. That was the case until he sprained his MCL in their opener versus Colorado. The rest is history as Duggan took over from there and never gave the spot back up. New offensive coordinator Kendal Briles is tailoring his offense around Morris.

In the new system, TCU will move the pocket more, getting Morris out on the edge more than in the past. “Chandler’s real comfortable throwing on the move; and there’s more quick throws in the offense than in the past, more RPOs, and he’s real comfortable with the RPOs,” Dykes said.

Up front, Brandon Coleman and Damonic Williams have been named to the watch list for the Lombardi Award, presented annually to college football’s top lineman. Coleman started all 15 games at left tackle last season, placing third on the TCU offense with 1,036 snaps played. Pro Football Focus has Coleman as the third-highest graded returning offensive lineman in the Big 12. Williams earned Freshman All-America honors and was Honorable-Mention Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year last season.

Star wideout Quentin Johnson and leading rusher Kendre Miller are both in the NFL. Johnson became TCU’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Jalen Reagor (1,061) in 2018. He had team-best totals of 60 receptions, 1,069 yards and six touchdowns. The 60 catches were also the most by a Horned Frog since Reagor’s 72 in 2018.

Miller’s team-best 1,399 yards made him TCU’s first 1,000-yard rusher since Kyle Hicks had 1,042 in 2016. The 1,399 yards were the most by a Horned Frog since LaDainian Tomlinson led the nation with 2,158 in 2000. He ranked first nationally among active Power 5 players with a 6.7 career yards per average.

The defense is led by cornerback Josh Newton, who was named to The Associated Press preseason All-America team. Pro Football Focus rated Newton’s 81.9 grade as the best among TCU cornerbacks last season. PFF also had him fourth among Power Five cornerbacks with a 35.3 percent completion rate allowed. Starting all 15 games, Newton ranked second on TCU and in the Big 12 with 12 pass breakups, trailing only teammate and 2022 Paycom Jim Thorpe Award winner Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson (15). Newton tied for second on the Horned Frogs with three interceptions.

TCU is ranked No. 17 in the AP preseason Top 25, the first time the Frogs are ranked in the preseason for the first time since 2018 when they were at No. 16. TCU is a 21-point favorite this Saturday for its home opener vs. Colorado. The Frogs should be able to run the non-conference table, but likely lose at least three times in Big 12 action.

Where to Bet On College Football with Crypto

NFL odds are available all year round here at Nitrobetting. Create a Nitrobetting account now to win tons of crypto from the 2023-24 NFL season with our up-to-date NFL futures odds, as well as our special Crypto Squares and Picks contests throughout the upcoming season!

Check out our latest crypto betting guides for the NFL season. Stay tuned for more football previews and articles, and don’t forget to check out the latest NFL betting odds at our online crypto sportsbook.

READ MORE: TCU Horned Frogs 2023 NCAAF Season Betting Guide