2006 TCU Horned Frogs Football Preview

Welcome to Maddux's 2006 TCU Horned Frogs season preview. As usual we have taken the time to break down the team, while providing information about the university, and the 2006 TCU Horned Frogs Football Schedule. If you are wagering on college football this season consider using Maddux Sports' College football picks for the added edge over the sportsbooks in 2006. In addition be sure to visit our college football odds line service for the upcoming season.

Coach: Gary Patterson (6th year at TCU)
Team Name: Horned Frogs
2005 Overall Record: 10-1
2005 Mountain West Record 8-0
Returning Starters: 12

Last year, this team beat Iowa State 27- 24 in the Houston Bowl after a 10- 1 regular season. They possessed a potent offense (33.2 PPG) and a hard-as-nails defense (18.6 PPG).

Senior QB Jeff Ballard (139 COMP, 232 ATT, 1,801 YDS, 13 TDs, 7 INTS) will have to contend with an offensive line that returns only 1 starter. That line is a big question right now. Additionally, the club’s top receivers are gone but there’s a host of experienced players ready to step forward and be tested.

The running game is deep. Anchored by senior Robert Merrill (187 CARR, 911 YDS, 10 TDs), it includes senior Lonta Hobbs and sophomore Aaron Brown. All are capable of 1,000-yard seasons.

This team’s “D” was one of the best in the nation last year, forcing more turnovers (+21) than any other college club. Chase Ortiz (9 sacks) and Tommy Blake, two of the finest defensive ends around, provide the framework for a tough front 4. Both linebackers—Jason Phillips (71 tackles) and David Hawthorne—return, and the secondary, which includes strong safety Brian Bonner (4 INTS), looks sound.

Texas Tech and Utah will both be tough on this team and BYU will be no picnic either. If the offensive line can bond and protect, look for TCU to repeat as MWC champs and possibly land a BCS bowl bid.

TCU Horned Frogs 2006 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Home/Road
Sep 2	Baylor	Road
Sep 9	UC Davis	Home
Sep 16	Texas Tech	Home
Sep 28	BYU	Home
Oct 5	Utah	Road
Oct 21	Army	Road
Oct 28	Wyoming	Home
Nov 4	UNLV	Road
Nov 11	New Mexico	Road
Nov 18	San Diego State	Home
Nov 25	Colorado State	Road
Dec 2	Air Force	Home

 

For more data on the 2006 TCU football program, view the Horned Frogs team website or check out some more schools below.