Former TCU head coach Gary Patterson is closing on a deal to become the next defensive coordinator at USC, according to multiple reports.
ESPN and 247Sports reported Wednesday that Patterson was in the final stages of making a deal.
Patterson will replace defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, who left the Trojans to become the defensive coordinator at Penn State days before the Horned Frogs defeated USC in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30.
The Trojans went 9-4 last season (7-2 in the Big Ten).
Patterson, 65, is the winningest head coach in the history of TCU football and was selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2026 last week.
Patterson pioneered the 4-2-5 defensive scheme that prioritized using a versatile nickelback over a traditional linebacker. Many teams now run variations of the defense to combat spread offenses.
Patterson spent 24 seasons in Fort Worth, transforming TCU into a national program with wins in the Rose Bowl against Wisconsin in 2010 and the Peach Bowl against Ole Miss in 2014. Patterson had a record of 181-79. He also served as TCU’s defensive coordinator from 1998-2000 before taking the head coaching job.
TCU parted ways with Patterson in 2021 and hired Sonny Dykes.
Patterson was briefly an assistant at Baylor in 2022 and Texas in 2024.
The Horned Frogs ended the year on a three-game winning streak to finish 9-4, including wins at Houston (No. 22 in the final poll) and No. 20 USC in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30.
It’s the first time TCU has been ranked in the final AP poll since the 2022 season when head coach Sonny Dykes led the Horned Frogs to a 13-2 record and an appearance in the national championship game.
Even without Hoover, expectations will still be high next season as TCU retained most of its core from this season’s team and added some key additions in the transfer portal like Harvard quarterback Jaden Craig.
Indiana claimed the College Football Playoff national championship with a 27-21 victory over Miami on Monday.
The Hoosiers are of course No. 1 in the final AP poll, followed by Miami, Ole Miss, Oregon and Ohio State.
Besides TCU and Houston, other Big 12 teams in the final poll are No. 7 Texas Tech, No. 11 BYU and No. 14 Utah.
The first week of the transfer portal has been a good one for TCU football, as the Horned Frogs addressed most of their needs.
Not only did TCU land multiple players from the portal who should be immediate contributors, the program also re-signed most of its key pieces from last year. As it stands, quarterback Josh Hoover is the only full-time starter who has entered the transfer portal from TCU.
Player retention is never going to dominate headlines like player acquisition during college’s version of free agency, but TCU head coach Sonny Dykes has stuck to his vision of wanting the Horned Frogs to be a developmental program.
Coming off two straight nine-win seasons, Dykes has seen enough confirmation on the field that TCU has plenty of talent already inside the building; most of it just needs to continue to develop.
So what have we learned from TCU’s approach during the first week of portal season?
The biggest addition so far has been Harvard quarterback Jaden Craig, who has NFL upside with his 6-foot-3, 230-pound frame. Craig owns most of Harvard’s passing records and led the program to its first appearance in the FCS playoffs with 2,869 yards, 25 touchdowns and seven interceptions this season. Craig doesn’t run often, but he has 11 career rushing touchdowns.
On paper, it’s a perfect partnership between the program and player. TCU lands an experienced quarterback who still has upside, but shouldn’t scare off freshmen quarterbacks Adam Schobel and Jack Daulton. Craig gets a chance to compete at the Power Four level in his final season, and he’ll also play in new offensive coordinator’s Gordon Sammis’ system.
Sammis runs a pro-style scheme that prioritizes a strong run game and being efficient with the passing attack. Sammis molded UConn’s Joe Fagnano into one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. What could he do with a talent like Craig?
Internal approach at the skill positions
Despite losing key offensive pieces like All-American wide receiver Eric McAlister, wideout Joseph Manjack and running back Kevorian Barnes, TCU opted not to depend on the portal to replace their production.
The Horned Frogs did sign South Alabama wide receiver Jeremy Scott and Division II running back Landon Walker for depth, but it’s clear TCU will be relying on some of its younger players to take a jump.
At running back, Jeremy Payne emerged as the potential starter down the stretch with 100-yard games against Houston and Cincinnati, plus the game-winning touchdown against USC in the Alamo Bowl. True freshman Jon Denman showed he has the power to complement Payne’s speed. Those two should get most of the touches next year.
TCU wide receiver Jordan Dwyer ranked second on the team in receiving yards and TD catches this season and should be the lead wideout next season. Christopher Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
At wide receiver, the program re-signed Jordan Dwyer, who was second on the team with 730 yards and seven touchdowns this season. He slides into the role of lead receiver, a job he filled at Idaho, and has All-Big 12 potential. The Horned Frogs are also bullish on the potential of freshmen wide receivers Terry Shelton, Dozie Ezukanma and Ed Small.
Rebuilding the offensive line
The strength of TCU’s transfer haul so far is on the offensive line, as the Horned Frogs landed two players with starting experience.
McKinney started seven games for the Cowboys this season before entering the portal and projects as an immediate starter. The same can be said for Buchanon, who was a second-team All-Conference USA selection for the Panthers this season.
These two signings, plus the return of Cade Bennett, give TCU a wealth of experience in the interior offensive line.
At tackle, Ben Taylor-Whitfield returns at right tackle, but who will man the left side with Ryan Hughes recovering from a season-ending injury? Sophomore Witten Van Hoy may get the first crack next season, or the Horned Frogs could look to add a tackle in the final week of the portal.
Building defensive depth
TCU needed to replace a plethora of stars on defense with the departure of All-Big 12 safety Bud Clark, All-Big 12 linebackers Devean Deal and Kaleb Elarms-Orr and linebacker Namdi Obiazor. The Horned Frogs also needed to strengthen the cornerback room, which was the glaring weakness of the team.
Louisiana Tech safety Jacob Fields should step in as a starter for TCU at safety, trying to fill the big shoes of Bud Clark. Tyler Kaufman Getty Images
The biggest splash on defense was the signing of safety Jacob Fields from Louisiana Tech. Fields was voted Co-Defensive Player of the Year in Conference USA and should slide into Clark’s position at free safety. All-Big 12 safety Jamel Johnson announced his return to the program, and he’ll lead the unit next season.
The Horned Frogs lost nickel safety Austin Jordan, but TCU returns Kylin Jackson and promising freshman Julius Simms. Those two will likely compete for the spot during the spring and fall camp.
The Horned Frogs have only signed one linebacker so far with Virginia Tech’s Michael Short. He was a productive reserve with the Hokies and North Carolina, and now he’ll have a chance for his biggest role of his career. TCU will bet big on the development of Max Carroll to take over Elarms-Orr or Obiazor’s spots; the former four-star recruit has flashed his talent during his time on the field.
Finally, it’s been mostly quiet on the defensive line, as TCU re-signed its entire front and was able to convince Paul Oyewale to not enter the portal after his agency initially told reporters he intended to do so in December. The Horned Frogs did add Western Kentucky edge rusher Koron Hayward and Texas Tech reserve Cheta Ofili to compete at stud, the hybrid pass rushing position that Deal played.
Both players have great size and upside.
What’s left on the checklist?
The only true position of need remaining for the Horned Frogs had been cornerback, but consider that box checked.
TCU landed Kalen Carroll on Friday to bolster one of the starting spots. He started over a dozen games during his time at Cincinnati and also had 52 tackles and two interceptions with Central Michigan this season.
The Horned Frogs then added Colorado transfer Teon Parks on Sunday. TCU also returns starter Vernon Glover and promising freshman Gil Jackson, giving the Horned Frogs better depth at the position.
TCU linebacker Max Carroll (33) will have a chance to seize a starting role next season. Chris Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Adding another linebacker with starting experience at the Group of Five level would provide more stability to that position, as TCU will be leaning on Carroll, Short, reserve Michael Teason and a bunch of redshirt freshmen next season if things remain the same.
An offensive tackle would be nice, but isn’t necessarily a need.
The Horned Frogs got most of their important work done during the first week of the portal, and now the program will aim to finish strong with the portal closing on Friday.
Game schedule dates, times, locations
Jan. 3 Mavericks 110, Houston 104
Jan. 6 Mavericks 100, Sacramento 98
Jan. 8 Utah 116, Mavericks 114
Jan. 10 Chicago 125, Mavericks 107
Jan. 12 vs. Brooklyn, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Jan. 14 vs. Denver, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, KFAA, MavsTV
Jan. 15 vs. Utah, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Jan. 17 vs. Utah, 4 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Jan. 19 at New York, 4 p.m., NBC, KFAA, MavsTV
Jan. 6 Kansas 104, TCU 100 (OT)
Jan. 10 Arizona 86, TCU 73
Jan. 14 at BYU, 10 p.m., ESPN2
Jan. 17 at Utah, 1 p.m., TNT
Jan. 20 vs. Oklahoma State, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Jan. 24 at Baylor, 5 p.m., ESPN2
Jan. 28 vs. Houston, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Jan. 3 Utah 87, TCU 77 (OT)
Jan. 7 TCU, 69, Oklahoma State 61
Jan. 11 TCU 77, Arizona State 46
Jan. 14 at West Virginia, 6 p.m., ESPN+
Jan. 17 vs. Arizona, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Jan. 19 vs. Ohio State (at Newark, N.J.), 11 a.m., Fox
Jan. 24 at Central Florida, 1 p.m., ESPN+
Jan. 29 vs. Kansas, 5 p.m., ESPN
Jan. 4 Montreal 4, Stars 3 (OT)
Jan. 6 Carolina 6, Stars 3
Jan. 7 Stars 4, Washington 1
Jan. 10 San Jose 5, Stars 4 (OT)
Jan. 12 at Los Angeles, 9 p.m., Victory+
Jan. 13 at Anaheim, 9 p.m., TNT, truTV, HBO Max
Jan. 15 at Utah, 8 p.m., Victory+
Jan. 18 vs. Tampa Bay, 1 p.m., NHLN, Victory+
Jan. 20 vs. Boston, 6:30 p.m., TNT, HBO Max
2026 season
Aug. 29 vs. North Carolina (at Dublin), TBA
New York Giants 34, Cowboys 17
End of season
May 1 NASCAR Truck Series: SpeedyCash.com 250
May 2 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series: Andy’s Frozen Custard 340
TCU football continued its busy offseason with more staff changes and developments on the recruiting trail.
The Horned Frogs could be closing in on their next quarterback, as Harvard transfer Jaden Craig arrived this week for an official visit.
Craig has been a standout in the Ivy League. Over the past two seasons, Craig threw for 5,299 yards and 48 touchdowns while completing 61% of his passes. He also led Harvard to its first FCS playoff appearance this season.
Listed at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Craig would be a senior next season, which would fit nicely with TCU’s timeline with freshmen Adam Schobel and Jack Daulton. Craig threw for 300 yards or more in five games this season and also had five games with three or more touchdown passes. Craig owns many of Harvard’s passing records, including career passing yards and touchdowns.
Craig would be the replacement for Josh Hoover, who entered the transfer portal on Dec. 18. Many speculate that Hoover will end up at Indiana.
Other transfer names to know include Cincinnati wide receiver Caleb Goodie, Southeastern Louisiana cornerback Zach Johnson and Louisiana Tech linebacker Mekhi Mason.
TCU makes another staff change
The Star-Telegram confirmed on Saturday that the program is parting ways with Kaz Kazadi, who served as assistant athletics director for football human performance for four seasons under head coach Sonny Dykes.
Kazadi played an instrumental role in helping TCU reach the national championship game in his first season in 2022. Kazadi previously held a similar position under Dykes at SMU in 2018-21 and also for Baylor in 2012-16 under Art Briles.
With Kazadi’s departure, TCU no longer has major staff members still employed from the Briles era at Baylor. Offensive coordinator Kendal Briles departed for South Carolina and former cornerbacks coach Carlton Buckels left in 2024.
More Horned Frogs enter the portal
Two more TCU reserves entered the transfer portal over the weekend, offensive tackle Quinton Harris and cornerback Elijah Jackson.
Harris announced he was entering the portal on social media. The former Arlington Seguin standout played in all 13 games and made four starts this season.
Jackson, a transfer from Washington, struggled with injuries this season and appeared in just one game.
This story was originally published January 3, 2026 at 5:41 PM.
TCU football has found its new quarterbacks coach.
Tulsa offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Brad Robbins finalized a deal Thursday to join the Horned Frogs’ staff, the Star-Telegram confirmed.
Robbins previously worked with incoming Horned Frogs offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis at UConn under Jim Mora in 2024 as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.
Robbins left to coach the Golden Hurricane’s offense in December 2024. Tulsa went 4-8 this season.
The opening was created at TCU by Kendal Briles’ departure to South Carolina last month. Briles served as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during his tenure in Fort Worth.
At UConn in 2024, Sammis and Robbins helped develop quarterback Joe Fagnano, who threw for 1,631 yards and 20 touchdowns. Fagnano was named the offensive MVP of the Fenway Bowl, and UConn finished 9-4.
Robbins previously served as receivers coach and pass game coordinator at Tennessee Tech in 2023. He also had coaching stints at Charleston Southern and North Greenville.
TCU is expected to bring in an experienced quarterback in the portal, which opens Friday, to compete with freshman Adam Schobel, who didn’t play this season.
TCU’s highly anticipated matchup with No. 16 USC in the Alamo Bowl is nearly here.
The Horned Frogs (8-4) will take on the Trojans (9-3) at 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Alamodome in San Antonio. The game will be televised on ESPN.
It’ll be a pivotal final game for both teams as they try to establish momentum for the offseason and the 2026 campaign. Much has changed on both rosters since they wrapped up the regular season, with opt-outs and the transfer portal taking a toll on both rosters.
TCU will be without quarterback Josh Hoover, while USC is missing at least seven starters, including some of its best playmakers.
Even so, the matchup still offers a lot of intrigue, and head coaches Sonny Dykes and Lincoln Riley will be tested as they game-plan around the absences.
Here’s four things to know about the Trojans:
QB1 remains
One of the few stars who hasn’t opted out of the bowl game for the Trojans is quarterback Jayden Maiava.
USC quarterback Jayden Maiava throws a pass against Notre Dame on Oct. 18 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Justin Casterline Getty Images
The re-signing of Maiava by the Trojans already counts for one of the biggest wins of the offseason, as the junior could be a dark horse Heisman Trophy contender next year.
Maiava has had the best season of his career with 3,431 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions while leading the nation in ESPN’s QBR metric. Another capable dual-threat quarterback, Maiava also rushed for six touchdowns this season.
Typically, Maiava used his mobility to create more time for his receivers, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if USC uses him more in the run game with all the absences on offense.
Maiava may be the best quarterback TCU has faced this season.
Formidable rushing attack
USC’s run game is led by a familiar name, as former TCU running backs coach Anthony Jones oversees a deep stable of running backs. USC has one of the better rushing attacks in the country, averaging 174.2 yards per game and 5.3 yards per carry.
USC running back Riley Wormley, a freshman from Southlake Carroll, gets hit by UCLA cornerback Andre Jordan Jr. during the second quarter Nov. 29 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Harry How Getty Images
Jones always maintained a strong running back rotation in Fort Worth, and that has continued with USC. There’s no true star, but the Trojans have plenty of capable backs, led by freshman King Miller, who tops the team with 873 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 6.7 yards per carry.
Waymond Jordan, USC’s leading rusher before he suffered an ankle injury, is likely to return for the bowl game. The junior has 576 yards and five touchdowns in six games.
Riley Wormley, a freshman from Southlake Carroll, could also get touches after USC lost reserve running backs Eli Sanders to an injury and Bryan Jackson to the transfer portal. Wormley has two carries for seven yards in two games this season.
Who’s going to play receiver?
The Trojans will be without their three leading pass catchers in wide receivers Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane and tight end Lake McRee.
Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s best wide receiver with 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns. Lane is a likely NFL draft selection who had 745 yards and four touchdowns, and McRee finished with 450 yards and four TDs.
USC wide receiver Tanook Hines attempts to make a catch while defended by Notre Dame cornerback Dallas Golden during the third quarter Oct. 18 at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Ind. Justin Casterline Getty Images
How will USC replace more than 2,000 receiving yards in a matter of weeks? One answer is freshman Tanook Hines. The four-star recruit has already made an early impact with 398 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Jaden Richardson and freshman Corey Simms appeared in nearly every regular season game as reserves, but they combined for less than 200 yards.
USC’s passing game will certainly take a step back for the bowl game, but will TCU be able to take advantage?
What about the defense?
Riley had the best defense of his head coaching career this season, as USC ranked 47th in scoring defense, allowing 22.4 points per game. That’s a credit to Riley’s hiring of defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn.
USC defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn reacts during a game against Michigan State on Sept. 20 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Luke Hales Getty Images
However, just like the offense, the Trojans will be without many of their key difference-makers on defense. Safety Kamari Ramsey and linebacker Eric Gentry opted out to focus on the NFL draft. The Trojans will also be without former five-star defensive lineman Jahkeem Stewart due to injury.
Two more names to watch are All-American safety Bishop Fitzgerald and edge rusher Anthony Lucas. In a recent press conference, Riley said neither had opted out, but they are dealing with injuries that could keep them out of the game.
The Trojans will still have plenty of talent and will be fundamentally sound, but it’ll be a much different defense than the one USC leaned on in the regular season.
Game schedule dates, times, locations
Dec. 29 at Portland, 9:30 p.m., NBC
Jan. 1 vs. Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Jan. 3 vs. Houston, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Jan. 6 at Sacramento, 10 p.m., NBC, KFAA, MavsTV
Jan. 8 at Utah, 8 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Dec. 29 vs. Jackson State, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Jan. 3 vs. Baylor, 1 p.m., TNT
Jan. 6 at Kansas, 8 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2
Jan. 10 vs. Arizona, 3 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2
Jan. 14 at BYU, 10 p.m., ESPN2
Dec. 31 at BYU, 8 p.m., ESPN+
Jan. 3 at Utah, 8 p.m., ESPN+
Jan. 7 vs. Oklahoma State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+
Jan. 11 vs. Arizona State, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Jan. 14 at West Virginia, 6 p.m., ESPN+
Dec. 27 vs. Chicago, 7 p.m., Victory+
Dec. 31 vs. Buffalo, 7 p.m., Victory+
Jan. 1 at Chicago, 7:30 p.m., Victory+
Jan. 4 vs. Montreal, 1 p.m., Victory+
Jan. 6 at Carolina, 6 p.m., Victory+
Alamo Bowl
Dec. 30 vs. USC (at San Antonio), 8 p.m., ESPN
New Mexico Bowl
North Texas 49, San Diego State 47
Jan. 4 at N.Y. Giants, noon, Fox
End of season
May 1 NASCAR Truck Series: SpeedyCash.com 250
May 2 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series: Andy’s Frozen Custard 340
The Horned Frogs (8-4) will have an opportunity to close out the year and establish momentum for 2026 by defeating the No. 16-ranked Trojans (9-3).
USC (9-3) is seeking its first double-digit win season since 2022. This matchup has the potential to be the best and most-viewed non-playoff bowl game, given its prime-time standalone time slot at 8 p.m.
Both teams will be without some of their best players from the regular season, so the depth of each program will be on display. Who will come out on top?
TCU football has found its next offensive coordinator.
The Horned Frogs are set to hire UConn offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis to replace Kendal Briles, the Star-Telegram confirmed Thursday.
Briles left TCU to become the offensive coordinator at South Carolina under Shane Beamer.
“I am excited to add Gordon to our staff and see the evolution of our offense under his watch,” head coach Sonny Dykes said. “Gordon’s experiences and backgrounds will bring new wrinkles and looks to what we do on that side of the football, and those new ideas are going to elevate our entire offensive staff room. Gordon has impacted the offenses he’s worked with or run in significant ways, and his offenses win.”
Sammis is the acting interim coach for the Huskies as they prepare for the Fenway Bowl against Army on Dec. 27 in Boston. He will coach the bowl game and join TCU after Dec. 27.
“I would like to thank Sonny Dykes for the opportunity to lead the offense at TCU,” Sammis said. “This is a program with a history of explosive, dominant offenses, and I cannot wait to take the challenge of meeting those expectations head on. I am looking forward to getting to Fort Worth, meeting with our players, learning from our staff, and attacking our 2026 plan right away.
“I would also like to thank coach Jim Mora for his trust in me, allowing me to lead our offense at UConn as well as our great players, coaches, staff, and fans. My time at UConn was unbelievable, and the relationships and memories I made there will last a lifetime.”
Sammis has been the offensive coordinator since the spring of 2024 after serving as UConn’s offensive line coach since 2022.
In his first season as offensive coordinator, the Huskies averaged 31.9 points per game, which ranked 35th nationally. The Huskies also had a top-25 rushing attack, averaging 199 yards per game.
The key to the Huskies’ success on the offense in 2024 was the play of the offensive line. UConn allowed just 1.08 sacks per game, ranking 13th in the country, and also had a top-five red zone offense. Sammis was a Broyles Award nominee, given annually to the nation’s best assistant coach.
The Huskies saw further improvement this season, averaging 36.9 points per game, 12th nationally. UConn produced an All-American-caliber receiver this season with Biletnikoff finalist Skyler Bell, who made 101 catches for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Quarterback Joe Fagnano had one of the best seasons in program history with 3,448 passing yards, 28 touchdowns and just one interception.
UConn also showed balance on the ground, as Camryn Edwards rushed for 1,132 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. The Huskies rushed for 1,908 as a team.
A former offensive lineman for Virginia, Sammis brings a strong track record of developing offensive linemen after helping Christian Haynes and Chase Lundt become NFL draft picks.
Haynes became the first Husky to earn All-American honors is back-to-back seasons and was a third-round pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2024. Lundt was picked in the sixth round of the 2025 draft by the Buffalo Bills.
In Sammis’ first season as the offensive line coach in 2022, UConn ranked 29th in sacks allowed per game. Sammis improved that to ninth in 2023.
Some of Sammis’ previous stints include coaching the offensive lines at William & Mary and Lafayette.
This story was originally published December 11, 2025 at 3:59 PM.
UPDATE 4:34 P.M.: The game has resumed after a delay of one hour, 33 minutes.
UPDATE 4:15 P.M.: TCU announced that the players would return to the field in five minutes, then do a 15-minute warmup, which means the game should resume around 4:35 p.m.
FIRST REPORT: TCU football’s final game of the regular season against Cincinnati on Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium was interrupted by a lightning delay in the first quarter.
The delay came with 7:59 left in the first quarter at about 3:01 p.m. A half-hour has to pass without any lightning before the game resumes.
Subsequent strikes have pushed the restart back. At 3:55 p.m., the teams still had not come out to begin warmups.
Lawrence Dow is a digital sports reporter from Philadelphia. He graduated with a master’s degree in journalism from USC. He’s passionate about movies and is always looking for a great book. He covers the Texas Rangers and other sports.
TCU football is aiming to end the regular season on a high note with one final game against the Cincinnati Bearcats at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium (broadcast on Fox).
Neither team has played particularly well this month, with the Bearcats (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) in the middle of a three-game losing streak, while the Horned Frogs (7-4, 4-4) have dropped two of their past three games.
Both teams went from being in the Big 12 title race to merely jockeying for bowl position in the final week of the regular season. However, despite that disappointment both teams showed some fight last week as TCU picked up a win over a ranked Houston team, while Cincinnati gave BYU a run for its money.
Both teams have shown flashes of being Top 25-caliber teams, but they’ve also had performances that have left their fan bases scratching their heads. It’s what makes this game fascinating.
Here are three reasons why TCU will come out on top, or end the year with another disappointing defeat:
Three reasons TCU will defeat Cincinnati
1. Scott Satterfield’s struggles
The month of November hasn’t been kind to head coach Scott Satterfield since he took over at Cincinnati. The Bearcats are just 1-10 in November under Satterfield and have allowed 40 points four times and 30 points seven times during that stretch.
The offense goes from being explosive in September and October to a shell of itself. The Bearcats have scored more than 24 points just once and have scored fewer than 20 points six times under Satterfield in November, including last year’s 20-13 defeat to the Horned Frogs.
Based on this trend alone, TCU has a good shot at extending Cincinnati’s losing streak to four games.
2. Jeremy Payne rising?
The emergence of TCU sophomore running back Jeremy Payne has been a significant storyline for this season and the future, as Payne is making his case to be the starter next season. He recorded his first career 100-yard game last week in the win over Houston and also rushed for 71 yards against Iowa State and 55 against BYU’s tough defense.
Payne was known for his speed and his ability to be a change-of-pace back, but now he’s beginning to show he can be an every-down running back. Cincinnati’s run defense has been woeful during its losing streak, and Payne will have a chance for another big performance.
3. Eric McAlister’s last stand
Despite having better numbers than Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith, Eric McAlister was snubbed at being one of the three finalists for the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation’s best receiver. That was one of the many preseason goals the talented receiver had, and falling short could serve as extra motivation in what could be his final game as a Horned Frog.
McAlister has produced at least 60 yards in eight straight games, with five games of 100 yards or more during that stretch. Simply put, nobody has been able to slow McAlister down this season, and the Bearcats’ secondary has also struggled during the past three weeks.
Another 100-yard game by McAlister would significantly improve TCU’s chances of winning.
Three reasons Cincinnati will defeat TCU
1. Dontay Corleone
The All-American nose tackle nicknamed “The Godfather” will end his career as one of the greatest players in program history. Corleone hasn’t quite had his usual all-conference production this season — 11 tackles and two quarterback hits — but he’s still the type of player who can single-handedly disrupt a team’s game plan if the offensive line isn’t ready.
The Horned Frogs struggled against the massive interior defensive lines of BYU and Iowa State. Those teams had more depth than Cincinnati, but neither had a player quite like Corleone. If Corleone is able to live in the backfield or occupy blocks to allow talented Bearcats defenders like Jake Golday to make plays, TCU’s offense could be in trouble.
2. TCU’s struggling offense
The Horned Frogs’ offense has had a rough month, with three straight games under 20 points during their 1-2 stretch. Last week against Houston, the offense continued to shoot itself in the foot with four turnovers, including three interceptions by Josh Hoover. TCU also had two touchdowns wiped off the board due to penalties.
Even if you want to argue the calls were weak, it doesn’t change the fact that the offense isn’t executing at a high enough level. Hoover in particular must play better, as he’s thrown seven interceptions in the past three games.
If TCU makes those types of mistakes against Cincinnati, it could open the door for another upset at “The Carter.”
3. Brendan Sorsby’s mobility
Once again TCU will face a dual-threat quarterback when Brendan Sorsby rolls into town. The Horned Frogs have a lot of experience facing mobile quarterbacks this season, but it doesn’t make the challenge any easier. Houston’s offense was lifeless last week until Conner Weigman started being more aggressive scrambling outside the pocket.
Sorsby is also capable of having those moments, and he showed that against TCU last year when he rushed for 93 yards. Sorsby is good enough as a passer and Cincinnati has dangerous receivers, but TCU’s top priority has to be to keep Sorsby in the pocket and make him beat the defense with his arm.
Prediction
The game will mirror last year’s contest with TCU leading most of the way, but the defense needing a late stop to clinch it.
The Horned Frogs win 27-23 to finish the regular season 8-4.
Game schedule dates, times, locations
Nov. 28 at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Nov. 29 at L.A. Clippers, 9 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Dec. 1 at Denver, 8 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Dec. 3 vs. Miami, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Dec. 5 at Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Nov. 28 vs. Wisconsin (at San Diego), 4:30 p.m., Fox
Dec. 5 vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Dec. 7 vs. North Texas (at Dickies Arena), 4:30 p.m., ESPN+
Dec. 15 vs. Incarnate Word, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Dec. 18 vs. Oral Roberts, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 27 vs. Richmond (at Cancun, Mexico), 8 p.m., FloCollege
Nov. 28 vs. UAB (at Cancun, Mexico), 5:30 p.m., FloCollege
At one point this season, Cincinnati (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) looked like it might be the best team in the Big 12, but the Bearcats have since come back down to Earth, in the midst of a three-game losing streak.
TCU (7-4, 4-4) has already learned that a team on a losing streak is a still a dangerous opponent after Iowa State snapped its four-game skid against the Horned Frogs on Nov. 8.
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said he doesn’t see a Cincinnati team that is struggling; he sees a team full of playmakers.
“I think they’re better. I think they’re further along,” Dykes said Tuesday. “I think they’re more diverse offensively than they were [last year]. They have a lot of the same guys on defense. They had a lot of returning starters and a lot of experience.
“They’re a really good football team. That’s a team that was 7-1 and I think in the top 15. They’ve played a tough schedule down the stretch. They’ve lost games to really good football teams.”
Dykes isn’t wrong. The Bearcats have gone through a three-game gauntlet of No. 14 Utah, Arizona and No. 11 BYU in the past three games.
TCU hopes to not provide a reprieve for the Bearcats as it aims to close the season strong after defeatingpreviously ranked Houston last Saturday.
There are some similarities between the Bearcats and Cougars, starting with the heavy reliance on the quarterback in the run game. Cincinnati’s Brendan Sorsby is one of the more dynamic quarterbacks in the conference and continues the Horned Frogs’ trend of facing mobile quarterbacks this season.
“This is the best quarterback league in college football,” Dykes said. “Just from an experience and diverse skill set standpoint. You look back last week, Houston’s quarterback [Conner Weigman], think about all the big plays he had running and getting out of the pocket.
“We’re going to have the same thing this week with Sorsby. He can run, he does a good job of knowing when to run. He’s got experience. … He’s a very smart football player and seldom puts the ball in jeopardy.”
On the season, Sorsby has 2,518 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He’s also rushed for 521 yards and nine touchdowns. Four of his interceptions have come in the past three games.
Sorsby is supported by a solid group of skill players led by running backs Tawee Walker (661 yards, four TDs) and Evan Pryor (514 yards, three TDs).
Cincinnati also has an underrated receiver room led by Cyrus Allen (623 yards, 11 TDs). The Bearcats have three other receivers averaging at least 15 yards per reception.
“They’re fast. All the guys are interchangeable,” TCU cornerback Vernon Glover said. “They all can play slot or outside. All the guys got speed. We’re going to have to do what we always do.”
Cincinnati’s defense has taken a step back during the losing streak, but when the Bearcats are at their best they have shown they can slow down explosive offenses. Before the losing streak, Cincinnati held six of its first eight opponents to 20 points or fewer.
The success of the defense starts up front with senior defensive lineman Dontay Corleone.
Nicknamed “The Godfather,” Corleone was a preseason All-American and has been selected All-Big 12 multiple times in his career. He’s not having the same production this season, but TCU’s offensive line believes he could be the biggest challenge the unit has faced outside of BYU.
“When he wants to go, he can go,” TCU offensive lineman Coltin Deery said. “Corleone is a great player. He’s quick, he’s got a motor. We’ve just got to stay on top of him and not let him go where he wans to go. Displace him and go to work.”
Cincinnati also has one of the league’s best linebackers, senior Jake Golday, who leads the team with 102 tackles, and a plethora of hard-hitting safeties who will fly down in run support. The top cover corner is senior Matthew McDoom, a Coastal Carolina transfer who has a 100-yard pick-six this season.
It should be another tight battle between teams that have flashed the potential of being two of the best teams in the league while also showing flashes of being among the most disappointing.
Which team will play up its potential? That will ultimately decide this one.
The Horned Frogs (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) will face Cincinnati (7-4, 5-3) in the final game of the regular season for the second straight year. The matchup will give TCU a chance to end a disappointing season on somewhat of a high note with two straight quality wins after the Horned Frogs defeated Houston 17-14 on Saturday.
The Bearcats were in the thick of the Big 12 title race most of the season, but Cincinnati has crumbled in the past few weeks with three straight losses as head coach Scott Satterfield continues to struggle in November.
That doesn’t mean TCU can overlook Cincinnati, as the Horned Frogs were upset by Iowa State when the Cyclones were in the midst of a four-game skid. TCU will need its A-game to finish the season strong.
Here’s how to watch the final game of the regular season:
Kickoff time has been set for TCU’s regular-season finale against Cincinnati.
The Horned Frogs (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) will face the Bearcats (7-4, 5-3) at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Fox.
It’ll be rematch of last year’s regular-season finale when TCU defeated Cincinnati 20-13 in a game marred by snowy conditions in Ohio.
The Horned Frogs will aim to close the regular season with another quality win after snapping a two-game losing streak with their 17-14 win over No. 25 Houston on Saturday.
The Bearcats will hope to bounce back from a 26-14 defeat to BYU.
For the first time since the 2022 Fiesta Bowl, TCU football defeated a ranked opponent, earning a gritty 17-14 win at No. 25 Houston on Saturday.
“It’s hard to win on the road against a Top 25 team,” head coach Sonny Dykes said. “Proud of these guys for hanging in there and not listening to all the negativity. I thought they did an incredible job of keeping their head down and not paying attention to all the junk that was out there.”
The Horned Frogs (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but allowed the Cougars (8-3, 5-3), who are No. 23 in the College Football Playoff rankings, back into the game with four turnovers and multiple penalties that wiped touchdowns off the board.
TCU wide receiver Jordan Dwyer (7) makes a 17-yard touchdown catch against Houston linebacker Corey Platt Jr. during the first quarter Saturday at TDECU Stadium in Houston. Kenneth Richmond Getty Images
Despite thoroughly outplaying the Cougars, the game was tied at 14 entering the fourth quarter. Junior wide receiver Jordan Dwyer set up the go-ahead field goal with a 53-yard punt return that led to Nate McCashland knocking down a 29-yard field goal with 11:21 remaining in the game.
“He kicked a line drive, and it got to me quick,” Dwyer said of the punt. “I had an opportunity to return it, and the whole punt return unit did an amazing job blocking it up. I just hit it and ran with it and tried to give the team a good spark.”
Houston kicker Ethan Sanchez missed field goals on the Cougars’ final two drives that would have tied the game. After he missed a 49-yarder, TCU drove to the Houston 5-yard line but failed on fourth-and-1 to give the Cougars a final shot.
Houston quickly got in range, but Sanchez missed from 38 yards out with 46 seconds remaining to seal the Horned Frogs’ victory, which broke a two-game losing skid and eliminated the Cougars from the Big 12 title race.
“There were a lot of mistakes. Sometimes we were our own worst enemy,” Dykes said. “Penalties killed us in the first half … but we had to overcome a lot.”
TCU will end the regular season by hosting Cincinnati on Nov. 29 at a time to be determined.
Here are four takeaways from Saturday’s win:
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions Saturday against Houston. Kenneth Richmond Getty Images
Up-and-down day for Josh Hoover
TCU junior quarterback Josh Hoover showed the best and worst parts of his game against Houston. His performance in the first quarter was the best stretch of football he’s played since TCU’s win over Colorado on Oct. 4. Hoover was 12-of-14 for 148 yards and two touchdown passes in the opening quarter as TCU’s offense had no problem moving the ball.
Hoover’s hot start fizzled out in the second quarter as his decision-making led to two game-changing turnovers while targeting senior wide receiver Eric McAlister. Hoover appeared to regain his momentum after completing a 37-yard strike to McAlister midway through the third quarter that got TCU to the Houston 20.
On the next play, Hoover threw a jump ball to Dwyer for a touchdown, but the score was called ball due to an illegal block by tight end Chase Curtis. Two plays later, Hoover was intercepted for a third time as TCU squandered another scoring opportunity while leading 14-7.
Hoover did enough to get the win, as he finished 24 of 33 for 293 yards and two touchdowns, but his turnovers on the road continue to be a troubling trend.
Defense rises up
Led by senior linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU’s defense was able to bail the offense out after the Horned Frogs struggled with the four turnovers and two touchdowns taken off the board by penalties. The Cougars’ revamped offense struggled to consistently find lanes to attack as TCU did a good job of containing Cougars quarterback Conner Weigman.
TCU defensive end Zach Chapman (0), linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr (3) and cornerback Channing Canada swarm Houston running back Dean Connors in the first quarter Saturday. Kenneth Richmond Getty Images
The third-down defense in particular was excellent as the Horned Frogs limited Houston to just 4-for-17 on conversion attempts. The biggest sequence came in the fourth quarter with TCU holding onto a 17-14 lead. Elarms-Orr blew up a sweep to Dean Connors to force a third-and-13 at TCU’s 35-yard line. Weigman was stopped well shorts of the sticks on his third-down scramble, and Houston was forced to attempt a 48-yard field goal.
The kick was well short to preserve TCU’s lead. Elarms-Orr led the way with 15 tackles, his third game with at least 15 tackles and sixth game this season with double-digit tackles.
It was an impressive bounce-back performance from a defense that had its worst game of the season last week in a 44-13 loss at BYU. The 14 points were the second-fewest Houston has scored this season.
“We played really [well] tonight,” Elarms-Orr said. “The way we prepare week in and week out, we strain in practice. We know if you do it in practice it’s going to show up in the game. I’m super proud of those guys and how we did as a unit overall. It’s onto the next.”
Young safeties step up
Playing without injured preseason All-Big 12 safety Bud Clark was a major storyline entering Saturday’s game, but the Horned Frogs showed their depth at the position as a pair of young safeties stepped up in Clark’s absence. Sophomore Jordan Lester and true freshman Julius Simms had strong moments in the first half against the Cougars.
Houston wide receiver Amare Thomas (0) attempts to make a catch against TCU safety Jordan Lester during the first quarter Saturday. Kenneth Richmond Getty Images
Houston tried to target Lester in coverage with Clark out, but he held his own, forcing two incompletions on deep vertical passing routes to help TCU get stops. Simms made the biggest play of the half defensively when he intercepted Weigman in the end zone on fourth-and-goal to preserve TCU’s 14-7 lead.
Lester made another good play late in the third quarter as he forced another incompletion on third-and-8 with the Cougars driving to take the lead. There wasn’t a big drop-off without the presence of Clark, and that says a lot about how the young safeties played.
“They were huge. I thought both those guys played extremely well,” Dykes said. “They were going after us early. They were targeting those young guys, and, man, they both made plays. I was really proud of them. I can’t say enough about how hard they competed. It was awesome to see.”
Another frustrating start
It was a tale of two quarters in the first half, as TCU appeared like it was set for a blowout victory in the first only to let the Cougars back in the game in the second. Hoover and the offense were on fire in the first quarter, as he threw two beautiful touchdown passes to McAlister and Dwyer.
TCU wide receiver Eric McAlister catches a 33-yard touchdown against Houston defensive back Will James in the first quarter Saturday. Kenneth Richmond Getty Images
The one to Dwyer was fit perfectly over a defender’s head and was arguably Hoover’s best throw of the season. TCU outgained Houston 174-48 in the first quarter and had a chance to go up 21-0 at the start of the second. But that’s where things began to unravel for TCU. Hoover forced a pass up to McAlister that was intercepted by Will James at the 14:27 mark in the second quarter.
That turnover would help set up Houston’s only points of the half as the Cougars cut TCU’s lead to 14-7 on a 15-yard touchdown pass from Weigman to Amare Thomas. The Cougars were also aided by two costly fourth-down penalties on the TCU defense. A second Hoover interception almost led to another score until Houston was intercepted on fourth-and-goal at the TCU 1-yard line.
With less than two minutes remaining in the first half, the Horned Frogs had one more chance to add onto the lead and got deep into Houston territory with less than 55 seconds remaining. TCU executed a tunnel screen to sophomore wide receiver Jordyn Bailey perfectly for a 27-yard gain, but he was stripped by a Houston defender, taking away a scoring opportunity right before halftime.
TCU led 14-7 at the half, but it squandered multiple opportunities to put Houston in a bigger hole.
Game schedule dates, times, locations
Nov. 21 vs. New Orleans, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 22 vs. Memphis, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 24 at Miami, 6:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 28 at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Nov. 29 at L.A. Clippers, 9 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 27 vs. Florida (at San Diego), 2 p.m., FS1
Nov. 28 vs. Providence or Wisconsin (at San Diego), 2 or 4:30 p.m., Fox
Dec. 5 vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Dec. 7 vs. North Texas (at Dickies Arena), 4:30 p.m., ESPN+
Dec. 15 vs. Incarnate Word, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 20 vs. Tarleton State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 23 vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 27 vs. Richmond (at Cancun, Mexico), 8 p.m., FloCollege
Nov. 28 vs. UAB (at Cancun, Mexico), 5:30 p.m., FloCollege
Dec. 3 vs. Incarnate Word, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 20 at Vancouver, 9 p.m., Victory+
Nov. 22 at Calgary, 9 p.m., Victory+
Nov. 25 at Edmonton, 8 p.m., Victory+
Nov. 26 at Seattle, 9 p.m., Victory+
Nov. 28 vs. Utah, 7 p.m., Victory+
Nov. 22 at Houston, 3 p.m., Fox
Nov. 29 vs. Cincinnati, TBA
End of the regular season
Nov. 22 at Rice, 6:30 p.m., ESPNU
Nov. 28 vs. Temple, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
End of the regular season
NAIA playoffs
Nov. 22 at William Penn, noon
Nov. 23 vs. Philadelphia, 3:25 p.m., Fox
Nov. 27 vs. Kansas City, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Dec. 4 at Detroit, 7:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Dec. 14 vs. Minnesota, 7:20 p.m., NBC
Dec. 21 vs. L.A. Chargers, noon, Fox
Dec. 13-14 Xtreme Xperience
This story was originally published November 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM.
TCU wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV and running back Jeremy Payne have an opportunity to play in their hometown in front of dozens of friends and family members while also battling one of the best teams in the Big 12.
For Manjack in particular, Saturday’s game will be special, as he faces his former team. He spent three seasons in Houston before transferring to TCU this offseason, and the senior is looking forward to getting back to a place where he had plenty of fond memories.
“I was there three years, and I was able to get my degree,” Manjack said. “I was grateful for that and was able to make my mom proud getting it.”
TCU wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV catches a touchdown pass with one hand in the second half against Colorado on Oct. 4 at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Christopher Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Manjack tried his best to keep a business-first mindset, but admitted he still keeps in touch with his former teammates and is looking forward to facing off against some of Houston’s defensive backs.
“Latrell McCutchin and Kentrell Webb, they’re returning, and they’ll be out there this Saturday,” Manjack said. “We see them on tape, and [my teammates] will say, ‘How does this guy do this?’ and I’ll give my details I know about them. Regardless, we’ll have to go out there and strain and compete when the time comes.”
Manjack grew up in Tomball, about 45 minutes north of Houston, and he’s also hoping to find a way to get all of his family into the game.
“I’m going to need some tickets,” Manjack said with a laugh. “I’m glad my parents don’t have to drive four hours. It’s just 30 minutes to get to the game. It’s going to be good for them and my family members that don’t get to come to all of the games as well. I’m probably not going to have enough tickets for them, but hopefully they can come to the game.”
For Payne, it’s a chance to get plenty of carries near his hometown of Missouri City, located about 30 minutes south of Houston.
The Horned Frogs will be without leading rusher Kevorian Barnes, and running back Trent Battle was also listed as questionable on the initial player availability report, which means Payne is line for maybe his biggest role of the season.
“I’m very excited. A lot of my coaches from high school, a lot of family are coming down to watch me,” Payne said. “It’s going to be a great experience watching all of my family come down and support me.”
TCU running back Jeremy Payne celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first half against SMU on Sept. 20 at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Christopher Torres ctorres@star-telegram.com
Payne starred at Hightower High and molded himself into a four-star running back before he signed with TCU. Not only will facing the Cougars be a sort of homecoming for him, it’ll also be a full-circle moment after getting an increased role against Houston last season in TCU’s 30-19 defeat.
The sophomore is motivated to help the Horned Frogs get a different outcome Saturday.
“Yeah, I’m motivated. Last year that was actually my first start,” Payne said. “When I scored it was a very good experience because it was the first touchdown of my career.”
Facing Houston’s underrated defense, the Horned Frogs will likely need a big performance from either Payne or Manjack to pull off the upset. Payne has rushed for 273 yards and two touchdowns this season, and Manjack has made 27 receptions for 397 yards and two scores.
Manjack said he has seen a lot of growth in his old team, as Houston has gone from winning four games last season to eight this year. It’ll be a daunting challenge, but he said he believes TCU is ready for the pivotal matchup.
“They got a lot of new transfer guys in there that I’ve seen,” Manjack said. “They’ve done a good job of winning games, good for them. But we go against them this week, and we’re going down there to get a win ourselves.”
It’ll also be another opportunity to secure a win over a ranked team after the Horned Frogs were blown out by then-No. 12 BYU 44-13 on Saturday in Provo, Utah.
The Cougars (8-2, 5-2) are one of the most improved teams in the country and have already doubled their win total from last season — with at least three more games remaining on their schedule.
It will be a daunting task to go on the road at a Top 25 opponent, but Houston doesn’t have quite the same home-field advantage as BYU or even Kansas State. TCU has the talent to upend the Cougars, but it’ll take a much better effort than the one displayed last week.
Here are four things to know about the Cougars:
Former Aggie QB leads the way
Houston had one of the nation’s worst offenses last year, averaging only 14.0 points and 288.1 total yards. The unit was so unproductive it offset the fact that Houston had one of the nation’s most underrated defenses.
Houston quarterback Conner Weigman has rushed for 409 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Christian Petersen Getty Images
Head coach Willie Fritz hit the transfer portal to address the offensive issues and landed former five-star recruit Conner Weigman from Texas A&M. Weigman had a shaky career in College Station, but has rebounded to have the best season of his career in 2025.
The junior has thrown for 2,113 yards, 18 touchdowns with just seven interceptions this season while adding 409 yards and nine touchdowns rushing. Weigman wasn’t known as a dual-threat quarterback at Texas A&M, but Fritz has unlocked a new aspect of his game.
The Cougars are averaging 29.5 points and 388.3 yards per game with Weigman under center. It’s still not a prolific offense, but it’s a much better unit than last season.
Reloaded defense
While most fans may not have known how good Houston was defensively last year, programs around the country certainly took notice. The Cougars lost a number of their top playmakers to bigger programs, including defensive backs Keionte Scott (Miami), Jerry Wilson (Florida State) and AJ Haulcy (LSU).
Losing that type of talent would cause most defenses to regress, but the Cougars have maintained a similar level of production. Last year’s defense allowed 22.9 points and 324.8 yards per game, and this year’s unit allows 22.1 points per game and 333.1 yards per game.
Defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr. leads Houston with 67 tackles this season. Brian Bahr Getty Images
It’s been an impressive rebuilding job by Fritz and first-year defensive coordinator Austin Armstrong. The unit is led by defensive lineman Carlos Allen Jr., who tops the team with 67 tackles, and a revamped secondary anchored by Wrook Brown and Kentrell Webb.
Even without the star power of last year, Houston has one of the best defenses in the Big 12.
Another problematic tight end
Covering tight ends has been one of the weaknesses of TCU’s defense, and Houston has the right type of player who can exploit those shortcomings with the 6-foot-7 Tanner Koziol. The senior was a four-star transfer portal signing from Ball State and has had no problem adjusting to the Power Four level.
Houston’s 6-foot-7 tight end Tanner Koziol is second on the team with 570 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Christian Petersen Getty Images
Koziol is second on the team with 570 yards and five touchdowns. The only tight end who’s been more productive than Koziol in the Big 12 is Baylor’s Michael Trigg, who could end up being an All-American. Koziol had 100 yards against Arizona State on Oct. 25 and is averaging 65.2 yards per game over the past five contests.
Finding a way to contain Koziol, especially in the red zone, will be crucial for the Horned Frogs.
Rice transfer shines at running back
It didn’t generate much fanfare when Houston added running back Dean Connors from rival Rice during the offseason, but Connors deserves as much credit as Weigman for helping the Houston offense take a significant leap. The senior quietly ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 725 rushing yards and has scored four touchdowns.
Houston running back Dean Connors ranks fifth in the Big 12 with 725 rushing yards and has scored four touchdowns. Maria Lysaker Getty Images
Connors needs just 55 yards to set a career high, and he’ll likely get plenty of chances to reach that number against TCU. Connors has three games this season with at least 20 carries, and Houston won all three of those contests.
Weigman and Connors give the Cougars a powerful rushing attack that is designed to wear teams down in the second half. The Horned Frogs’ run defense will be tested for the second straight week.
Game schedule dates, times, locations
Nov. 19 vs. New York, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 21 vs. New Orleans, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 22 vs. Memphis, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 24 at Miami, 6:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 28 at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Nov. 19 vs. Kansas City, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 27 vs. Florida (at San Diego), 2 p.m., FS1
Nov. 28 vs. Providence or Wisconsin (at San Diego), 2 or 4:30 p.m., Fox
Dec. 5 vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Dec. 7 vs. North Texas (at Dickies Arena), 4:30 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 20 vs. Tarleton State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 23 vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 27 vs. Richmond (at Cancun, Mexico), 8 p.m., FloCollege
Nov. 28 vs. UAB (at Cancun, Mexico), 5:30 p.m., FloCollege
After TCU was dismantled 44-13 by No. 12 BYU on Saturday, the Horned Frogs’ ceiling might be a trip to the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, as it’s very possible TCU will finish 6-6 with two more tough games at Houston and hosting Cincinnati to end the regular season.
The Horned Frogs’ performance in Provo was the most disappointing of a season that has already fallen wellshort of expectations.
It was an opportunity for TCU and head coach Sonny Dykes to secure a marquee victory for the program — a win over a top-15 team on the road would’ve been the Horned Frogs’ biggest victory since the 2022 Fiesta Bowl. Not to mention TCU still was technically in the running for the Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
Instead of playing with passion, the Horned Frogs looked detached to start the game, falling behind 17-0 before the offense finally woke up. By that time it was too little too late.
TCU’s defense allowed BYU to score on its first seven possessions, while the offense continued to look like a finesse unit that isn’t built to win on the road or in November.
But if you ask the fan base, the most disappointing thing about Saturday night was how Dykes answered a question from the Star-Telegram.
Sonny Dykes says, ‘People can say what they want to say’
Over the past three seasons, TCU is just 20-15 overall, 12-13 in the Big 12 and 7-9 on the road. This writer asked Dykes what would he say to a fan base that may be growing anxious with the direction of the program?
“I can also sit here and say we’re whatever we are in the last 13 games [9-4],” a frustrated Dykes said. “Or I could sit here and say we are what we are. … People can say what they want to say.”
To be fair, Dykes isn’t wrong, as TCU is 12-5 in its past 17 games. Numbers don’t lie, but they can be manipulated to fit a narrative.
Dykes has won a lot of games at TCU, but when you lose the way the Horned Frogs did against BYU or how they did last week in the fourth quarter against Iowa State, you can’t blame the fan base for responding with an emphatic “So what?” when Dykes mentions TCU’s recent record.
The most notable wins during that stretch came last year against a Texas Tech team that finished 8-5 and this year against SMU, which sits at 7-3 with losses to Baylor and Wake Forest. Those aren’t exactly the type of wins that will fire a fan base up after it got a taste of being near the mountaintop in 2022.
It’s tough to come up with answers on the spot in the aftermath of a defeat like Saturday’s, but it was a missed opportunity for Dykes to speak to fans, especially after he had no problem repeatedly reminding them that the Horned Frogs know how to win and were the winningest team in the Big 12 in recent years after TCU survivedagainst Baylor.
As TCU slips, Texas Tech rises
TCU is just 1-2 since that press conference and could be staring at a four-game losing streak to end a season that was supposed to be the year that the Horned Frogs got back to the Big 12 title game.
It doesn’t help that rival Texas Tech is looking like a juggernaut this season and also recruiting at a level that will likely keep the Red Raiders at the top of the conference.
For many TCU fans, that was what they expected after the Horned Frogs defeated Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl and made the national title game. Whatever momentum was generated from that magical season is gone, and the Horned Frogs seem to be drifting further and further away from the top of the Big 12.
In the 12-team era of the College Football Playoff, that’s increasingly problematic. With increased access to the postseason comes increased expectations.
In the old four-team format, most fans understood just how difficult it was to make the field. But it’s a new reality now.
If you win your league, you’re in the playoff. That has simplified things for every program in the country, and when you’re not competing for a league title, it feels like an empty season.
This was supposed to be TCU’s year
Remember, this isn’t a young TCU team. The offense returned an experienced quarterback in Josh Hoover and one of the nation’s top receivers in Eric McAlister and got offensive lineman Cade Bennett back after a season-ending injury last year.
Despite all the talent, TCU has taken a step back on offense. There’s still no run game, Hoover hasn’t taken the expected leap many anticipated, and the unit as a whole has no identity besides McAlister being elite.
The offense has repeatedly started slow and underperformed on the road. The Horned Frogs have been held scoreless in the first quarter in five of their past six games. When pressed about why he thinks that is the case, Dykes didn’t have an answer.
Dykes is supposed to be an offensive guru. It’s always a troubling sign when a head coach’s specialty begins to underperform.
Defensively, the Horned Frogs returned key leaders in safety Bud Clark and linebacker Namdi Obiazor while also having safety Jamel Johnson and linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr emerge as two of the best at their positions in the conference.
There’s individual talent across the board, but it was jarring to watch BYU play defense compared to TCU. Don’t get me started on how monstrous the Red Raiders’ defense has looked this season.
It’s not a question of talent. Dykes himself said before the season that he felt if the team finished 9-4 it would be a disappointment.
“That’s the standard here, compete for a conference championship and the College Football Playoff,” Dykes said. “We’re at that point as a program where you don’t do that, we don’t see it as a successful year. You look at last year, yeah you won nine games or whatever, but in the last week of the season we weren’t playing for a Big 12 championship.”
If winning nine games would be falling short of the standard, then what is winning six or seven games?
The Horned Frogs are trending in the wrong direction, and it’s on Dykes to turn it around before it’s too late.
Game schedule dates, times, locations
Nov. 19 vs. New York, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 21 vs. New Orleans, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 22 vs. Memphis, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 24 at Miami, 6:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 28 at L.A. Lakers, 9 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
Nov. 19 vs. Kansas City, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 27 vs. Florida (at San Diego), 2 p.m., FS1
Nov. 28 vs. Providence or Wisconsin (at San Diego), 2 or 4:30 p.m., Fox
Dec. 5 vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Dec. 7 vs. North Texas (at Dickies Arena), 4:30 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 20 vs. Tarleton State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 23 vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 27 vs. Richmond (at Cancun, Mexico), 8 p.m., FloCollege
Nov. 28 vs. UAB (at Cancun, Mexico), 5:30 p.m., FloCollege
With a chance to keep its season alive and earn a signature win for the program, TCU football came out flat in an ugly 44-13 loss to No. 12-ranked BYU on Saturday night.
It was a thorough beatdown across the board, as the Cougars led 17-0 in the second quarter and scored on their first seven drives.
BYU (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) was more physical, more creative offensively and played a much cleaner game as the Horned Frogs (6-4, 3-4) dropped their second straight and are now eliminated from reaching the Big 12 championship game.
The Cougars delivered the knockout blow at the start of the fourth quarter when running back LJ Martin powered in on fourth-and-goal from the 1 to give BYU a 37-13 lead with 13:36 remaining.
TCU was outgained 447-298, and while the Horned Frogs made it a two-possession game on two occasions, it never felt like TCU was truly competitive in the game.
While BYU is one step closer to reaching the Big 12 title game, the Horned Frogs will now focus on improving their bowl standing. TCU next plays at Houston (8-2, 5-2) on Nov. 22 at a time to be determined.
Here are four takeaways from the loss:
Josh Hoover outplayed?
The showdown between TCU quarterback Josh Hoover and BYU freshman phenom Bear Bachmeier ended up being a showcase game for the freshman, and it was yet another poor road performance by Hoover and the offense.
Bachmeier played more like a redshirt senior with his poise and patience. It felt like he made the right decision on each throw even if it resulted in an incompletion.
Meanwhile, Hoover played decent enough in the first half, but had two turnovers in the second half while playing with a much higer degree of difficulty than Bachmeier’s. Bachmeier had clean pockets most of the night outside a few pass rushes by Devean Deal, but Hoover was forced to run for his life most of the night as BYU clearly won the battle at the line of scrimmage.
Even with the advantage on the offensive line, Bachmeier’s accuracy and dual-threat ability stood out as he led the Cougars to seven straight scoring drives. After BYU took a 30-13 lead, Hoover committed a critical mistake as he forced a pass to Eric McAlister that was intercepted on third down with 3:09 remaining in the third quarter.
Hoover later threw a second interception that safety Tanner Wall returned 68 yards for BYU’s final touchdown. Hoover ended up completing 10 of 23 passes for 183 yards with the two interceptions.
Defense exposed
TCU’s defense was on its heels all night as Cougars offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick dialed up a masterful game plan. BYU threw everything at TCU from jet sweeps, speed options and creative play action passes that got tight end Carsen Ryan wide open multiple times
Everything started up front with BYU’s rushing attack as the Cougars rushed for 152 yards and averaged 4.0 yards per carry. It was the most rushing yards TCU has allowed since its 27-24 loss to Arizona State on Sept. 26. With the run defense struggling, it only magnified TCU’s other glaring defensive issues, like its inability to matchup with the league’s best tight ends and the inability to get off the field.
Ryan had four receptions for 79 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown where he outran the entire TCU secondary. Parker Kingston also proved to be a matchup problem with 80 yards on five receptions.
The Horned Frogs didn’t get a stop until it finally forced a punt with 10:44 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was easily the worst performance of the year for the unit.
Offensive line shuffle
Anticipating a challenging night against BYU’s elite front seven, the Horned Frogs tried to provide a boost by making a switch on the offensive line. Cooper Powers got the start at right guard while Carson Bruno started at right tackle, the first time TCU had used this duo on the right side.
The change did little to help the Horned Frogs as TCU was overwhelmed by the strength of BYU’s defensive line most of the night. The Cougars sacked Hoover twice in the first half and had a countless number of pressures that forced Hoover to escape the pocket and buy time.
There was one sequence when BYU nose tackle Keanu Tanuvasa pushed a TCU offensive lineman five yards into the backfield. Those type of plays weren’t uncommon as the Horned Frogs were pushed around all night. Despite some good moments from running back Jeremy Payne, TCU finished with under four yards per carry in yet another conference game.
The inability to protect Hoover or establish a run game once again proved to be too much to overcome on the road.
Another slow start
The Horned Frogs’ offensive struggles in the first quarter continued in Provo as the Horned Frogs found themselves in a 10-0 deficit after the opening quarter. It was the fifth time in the past six games TCU hasn’t scored in the first quarter, and it put the Horned Frogs in a hole they could never pull themselves out of.
There were issues on both sides of the ball, starting with the offense that punted on its first two drives. Meanwhile, the Cougars’ offense was operating at the highest level it has this season with scores on all five of its first-half possessions. The most brutal touchdown came on the third possession when TCU had BYU in a third-and-long at the Horned Frogs’ 17.
TCU allowed Bachmeier to run into the end zone untouched on a speed option to fall behind 17-0 at the 10:16 mark in the second quarter. McAlister would finally provide a spark to the TCU offense as his 47-yard reception set up TCU’s first score of the night, a 22-yard field goal from Nate McCashland. But the Horned Frogs immediately allowed another touchdown as BYU went 75 yards in just four plays to retake the lead 24-3.
The Horned Frogs had a chance to swing the game after a gutsy call on fourth down led to a 13-yard touchdown run by freshman Jon Denman with just 1:14 remaining in the half. The Horned Frogs could’ve gotten the ball back only down two possessions to start the third quarter, but Bachmeier led a masterful two-minute drill with no timeouts to get the Cougars a field goal as BYU led 27-10 at halftime.
TCU football landed a massive transfer portal commitment late Wednesday from a Big 12 rival.
Oklahoma State offensive lineman Noah McKinney, 247Sports’ top-ranked player in the portal, committed to TCU, according to multiple reports. McKinney entered the portal Oct. 16 after the Cowboys fired head coach Mike Gundy, but McKinney is still on Oklahoma State’s roster and is finishing out the season.
The 6-foot-4, 330-pound McKinney has been one of the bright spots for the Cowboys (1-8, 0-6 Big 12) this season with an impressive pass-blocking grade of 84, according to Pro Football Focus.
The Frisco native went to Hebron, then finished high school in Nevada and started his college career at UNLV.
McKinney will be a redshirt senior next season. North Carolina and Kentucky were some of the other programs recruiting McKinney.
Game schedule dates, times, locations
Nov. 14 vs. L.A. Clippers, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 16 vs. Portland, 6:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 17 at Minnesota, 7 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 19 vs. New York, 8:30 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 21 vs. New Orleans, 7:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV
Nov. 14 vs. Michigan, 8 p.m., ESPN2
Nov. 19 vs. Kansas City, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 27 vs. Florida (at San Diego), 2 p.m., FS1
Nov. 28 vs. Providence or Wisconsin (at San Diego), TBD, Fox
Dec. 5 vs. Notre Dame, 7 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 16 at N.C. State, noon, ESPN
Nov. 20 vs. Tarleton State, 6:30 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 23 vs. Texas-Rio Grande Valley, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 27 vs. Richmond (at Cancun, Mexico), 8 p.m., FloCollege
Nov. 28 vs. UAB (at Cancun, Mexico), 5:30 p.m., FloCollege
Nov. 13 at Montreal, 6 p.m., Victory+
Nov. 15 vs. Philadelphia, 7 p.m., Victory+
Nov. 18 vs. N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m., Victory+
Nov. 20 at Vancouver, 9 p.m., Victory+
Nov. 22 at Calgary, 9 p.m., Victory+
Nov. 15 at BYU, 9:15 p.m., ESPN
Nov. 22 at Houston, TBA
Nov. 29 vs. Cincinnati, TBA
End of the regular season
Nov. 15 at UAB, 1 p.m., ESPN+
Nov. 22 at Rice, TBA
Nov. 28 vs. Temple, 2:30 p.m., ESPN
End of the regular season
Nov. 15 vs. Wayland Baptist (Crowley ISD Stadium), 2 p.m.
It was more difficult than it needed to be, but TCU football did enough to defeat West Virginia 23-17 Saturday night on the road to become bowl eligible.
“We made plays. That’s the bottom line,” head coach Sonny Dykes said. “We did what we had to do to win the game. We made field goals. Nate McCashland did a tremendous job kicking field goals. He had to step up. We were a pretty banged-up football team, and our guys had to gut it out.”
The Horned Frogs (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) led wire to wire, but could never completely pull away from the Mountaineers (2-6, 0-5), who were energized by an impressive home crowd.
TCU didn’t deliver the apparent knockout blow until less than five minutes remained in the game. The Horned Frogs used a 13-play drive to set up a 41-yard field goal for McCashland, and the backup kicker nailed it to put TCU ahead 23-10 with 4:48 remaining.
The game wasn’t over yet, though, as West Virginia scored a quick touchdown when Scotty Fox Jr. threw a 28-yard TD pass to Jeff Weimer with 3:15 remaining.
TCU wide receiver Eric McAlister celebrates in the end zone Saturday at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, W.Va. Brien Aho Getty Images
After nearly allowing West Virginia to recover the onside kick, TCU needed to pick up a first down to clinch the win. Quarterback Josh Hoover hit wide receiver Eric McAlister for the first down, but a West Virginia player knocked the ball loose. Wide receiver Major Everhart ended up being the hero, as he was there to recover the fumble, and TCU was able to end the game in victory formation.
“The last two road games we found a way to lose, and tonight we found a way to win,” Dykes said.
The Horned Frogs have a bye next week before a grueling four-game stretch to finish the regular season. They host Iowa State on Nov. 8, then play at BYU and Houston before hosting Cincinnati.
Here are four takeaways from the win:
Which Josh Hoover showed up?
After struggling in the past two Big 12 road games, Hoover had a better showing against West Virginia. He still wasn’t as sharp as he’s been when playing in Fort Worth, but the junior did enough to help the Horned Frogs avoid a devastating upset.
Hoover helped TCU take a 20-7 lead at halftime after completing 12 of his 20 passes for 114 yards while tossing a 4-yard touchdown to McAlister. It took awhile for the offense to find its rhythm in the second half, as the Horned Frogs went scoreless in the third quarter. At the beginning of the fourth quarter TCU was just 2-of-10 on third down.
TCU quarterback Josh Hoover completed 24 of 39 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown against West Virginia on Saturday. Brien Aho Getty Images
Hoover helped the offense convert two pivotal third downs on the decisive drive late in the fourth quarter as the Horned Frogs took over six minutes off the clock before McCashland’s field goal.
It wasn’t Hoover’s best game, but he avoided costly turnovers that led to TCU falling at Arizona State and Kansas State. He ended up completing 24 of 39 passes for 247 yards and a touchdown.
“I thought we did a good job of taking care of the football,” Hoover said. “There weren’t many negative plays. We played clean football and did a good job of staying ahead of the sticks. I thought we did a good job, and I think coach called a good game.”
Trent Battle steps up
TCU starting running back Kevorian Barnes exited the game after just one carry with an unknown injury, forcing the Horned Frogs to rely on their depth. They were already playing without Jeremy Payne, meaning it was senior Trent Battle’s turn to be the lead back.
The veteran rose to the occasion with a strong performance in the first half. Battle had 66 yards on 11 carries, including a 1-yard touchdown and a 46-yard run that helped TCU extend its lead to 20-7 right before halftime.
Battle has shown he can be a change-of-pace back this year, but his effort against Mountaineers also showcased that he can handle the workload. He finished with a career-high 89 yards on 19 carries.
Barnes returned and got most of the workload in the fourth quarter.
Major impact
Playing without its two top slot receivers, Ed Small and Joseph Manjack, the Horned Frogs needed somebody in the wide receiver room to step up, and it was Everhart who answered the call. The junior has missed most of the season with an injury, but it didn’t take long for him to showcase his explosive speed against the Mountaineers.
The Horned Frogs mostly used Everhart in the RPO (run-pass option) game, letting him attack the flat with a full head of steam. Everhart took one short pass from Hoover 26 yards to set up TCU’s first score, a 35-yard field goal from McCashland.
TCU wide receiver Major Everhart made four catches for 45 yards but also drew a key penalty and made a critical fumble recovery. Brien Aho Getty Images
Everhart had two more pivotal plays for the Horned Frogs midway through the second quarter. First, he drew a defensive pass interference on third down after beating his man on a slot fade. Later in the drive, Everhart took another short pass 18 yards to eventually set up a McAlister touchdown that increased TCU’s lead to 17-7 with 6:12 remaining in the first half.
On the final drive, he made the game-saving fumble recovery on McAlister’s clinching catch for a first down. Everhart finished with four catches for 45 yards.
“We knew Major was going to have a great opportunity to make some plays tonight,” Hoover said. “I love the way he’s been practicing. He was in my class coming in here, so we’ve had a good relationship, and there’s something I love about the way he plays, the way he practices and just who he is as a person.”
Defensive delivers
After playing some of the country’s best offenses the past few weeks, TCU had a much simpler task facing a heavily hobbled West Virginia offense. Playing without starting quarterback Nicco Marchiol and its top two running backs, the Mountaineers were limited offensively, and TCU’s defense did a tremendous job of not giving the West Virginia offense confidence.
The Horned Frogs held West Virginia to just 3.5 yards per play in the first half and excelled at getting off the field. The Mountaineers were just 2-of-9 on third down in the first half and 1-of-5 on fourth down. The physicality of TCU’s defense shined on fourth down, as most of those conversion attempts were fourth-and-short, including a few attempts at the tush push.
Despite how well the defense played, the Horned Frogs’ offense continued to give West Virginia chance after chance as they failed to deliver the knockout blow until the fourth quarter.
Linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr led the way defensively with 16 tackles as he became the first Horned Frog to record 15-plus tackles in consecutive games since 1995. Safety Bud Clark also had 13 tackles.
This story was originally published October 25, 2025 at 8:28 PM.
