Running Game Sparks TCU Offense

TCU quarterback Andy Dalton has 5 rushing touchdowns but is still looking for one through the air.

TCU scores an average of 43 points per game relying heavily on their running game to make their offense work. They average just under 250 yards a game in rushing and a total of 423 total offensive yards per game.

What makes the Horned Frogs rushing attack difficult to defend is that it is a three headed monster. Quarterback Andy Dalton has 5 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 4.5 yards per carry on 41 carries. Running back Joseph Turner leads the team with 6 rushing touchdowns and is averaging 4.1 yards per carry on 43 carries. Then there is Ryan Christian who is listed as a receiver but leads the team in rushing. He has 41 carries for 189 yards and 2 touchdowns. In all, TCU has 11 football players who have carried the ball for a total of 995 yards and 18 touchdowns this season.

That’s not to say that TCU doesn’t have a passing game. Andy Dalton has completed 63.6% of his passes for 606 yards but is still looking for his first touchdown strike of the season. Jimmy Young is the team’s leading receiver with 20 receptions for 237 yards.

I don’t know that we can call the Horned Frogs offense one dimensional (although that is a possibility) but there is no question that they rely heavily on the run and pass just enough to keep a defense honest. The key for Oklahoma’s defense is going to be the linebackers and line putting the breaks on TCU’s running backs. The defensive ends will have to keep containment on the quarterback while the linebackers will have to get off their blocks and meet the running backs at the line of scrimmage.

Another thing to keep and eye on here is the defensive backs. With an emphasis on stopping the running game many times the DB’s are left in one-on-one coverage. Should they prove to be up to the task it will make it a lot easier to focus on TCU’s rushing attack.