Week 8: TCU vs. West Virginia

Notes:
TCU coming off of a bye and won this game 40-10 in Fort Worth last season. From 2011 to 2014, the series was separated by a total of five points in three games.
 
TCU:
The Horned Frogs are averaging 40 points per game and have had a pass happy offense that is averaging 362 passing yards through the air this season. TCU is rushing for 168 yards on the ground and has been very solid converting third downs this year. Entering this game, the Horned Frogs have converted 47% of their third down attempts and will look to stay in third down and short situations against the Mountaineers in Morgantown.
Quarterback Kenny Hill has completed 63% of his passes for 2,142 yards with 12 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. He has shown the ability to break contain and throw on the run. Last year, the Horned Frogs utilized quarterback Trevyone Boykin’s mobility to wear down the Mountaineers front seven hit big plays vertically down the field. Hill has added 206 rushing yards along with 7 rushing touchdowns on the year.
The offensive line must protect Hill to give him time to locate his wide receivers. Taj Williams leads the team with 25 receptions for 506 yards with 4 touchdowns. Williams has the speed to take the top off of the defense and will be counted on to make plays against the West Virginia secondary.
The rushing attack is averaging 168 rushing yards per game and will need to move the football between the tackles on the Mountaineers to dictate the tempo. Running inflatable water slide back Kyle Hicks leads the team with 206 rushing yards averaging 5.6 yards per carry with 7 touchdowns. Hicks has slashing ability that can catch the edge of the West Virginia defense on read options.
Defensively, the Horned Frogs are allowing 30 points per game and is giving up 150 rushing yards per game along with 273 passing yards to opposing offenses. TCU has done an excellent job of getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks this year and has recorded 22 sacks through the first six games of the year.
TCU has allowed opposing offenses to convert 43% of their third down attempts and will need a better effort on the road to get the win.
The Horned Frogs enter this game -1 in turnover margin.
 
West Virginia:
The Mountaineers are averaging 32 points per game and have been very good at pounding the football on the ground rushing for 216 yards per game. West Virginia has passed for 318 yards per game and will look to work off of play action during this game against TCU to control the tempo of the game. Look for the same type of game plan that the Mountaineers had on the road in Lubbock against Texas Tech. The ability for West Virginia to run the football eventually wore down the Red Raiders and kept Patrick Mahomes on the sidelines.
Quarterback Skylar Howard has completed 66% of his passes for 1,590 yards with 8 touchdowns and 4 interceptions. Howard has played well within the system this year, but will have to make plays in the passing game this weekend to get the home win.
The West Virginia offensive line has played extremely well allowing 4 sacks through five games and must protect Howard with the speed of TCU on the edge.
West Virginia has converted 47% of their third down attempts and must be able to convert this weekend to control the clock at home.
Defensively, the Mountaineers are playing very well and are giving up 19 points per game to opposing offenses this season.
The defense is giving up 159 rushing yards per game and is allowing 250 passing yards to opposing offenses. The defense is allowing 47% on third downs and is the weak link of the unit along with the low sack total (5 games 9 total sacks). In order to get the home win, the defense must be able to force Hill into mistakes and force him to throw the football into coverage.
West Virginia is even in turnover margin on the season.
 
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