*** NCAA Football Preview - TCU Horned Frogs ***

From The My Sportsbook

By Ralph Lauro, College Football Staff Writer

2003 SEASON IN REVIEW: The Horned Frogs nearly became the first team from a non-power conference to participate in a BCS game in 2003 after they won their first 10 games. The team was ranked in the top 10 before a heartbreaking setback to Southern Miss in its second-to-last regular-season game. The loss was not only the team's first of the year, but it also cost it the C-USA title. TCU still finished in second place in the league standings at 7-1 which brought it an invitation to the Ft. Worth Bowl. The Horned Frogs, however, were edged out by Boise State (34-31) even though the contest was played on its home field. Still, TCU finished the season an impressive 11-2 while receiving a ton of attention from the national media. Since going a dismal 1-10 in 1997, TCU has posted a 52-19 record, including appearances in a record six consecutive bowls. The program has also put together three 10-win seasons in the last four years, while finishing in the Top 25 three times in the past four seasons.

2004 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: In 2003, the Horned Frogs possessed one of the most balanced attacks in the nation with an average of 207.7 rushing ypg and 221.6 passing ypg. This year should be more of the same as eight starters return from a team that averaged 29.2 ppg a year ago. Although the Frogs suffered several injuries to key skill players they were still able to find success because of talented backups. TCU has two of the best play callers in the league in Brandon Hassell and Tye Gunn, but neither has been able to remain healthy. The two quarterbacks are proven winners, despite their injuries, as they have combined for a 15-2 record over the last two seasons. Last year, Hassell saw a majority of the playing time and threw for 2,039 yards and 10 touchdowns against eight interceptions. Head coach Gary Patterson has not indicated who the starter will be, but he expects to use both signal callers at some point. Taking the pressure off Hasell and Gunn will be a running game that features two 1,000- yard rushers in Robert Merrill and Lonta Hobbs. Merrill began the '03 season as the third-team back behind Hobbs and Ricky Madison. After not carrying the ball in either of the first two games, Merrill was called on as injuries decimated the position. The 5-10, 203-pounder responded with five 100-yard rushing games and finished the season with 1,107 yards, breaking Hobbs' freshman record. He earned First Team Freshman All-America honors. As for Hobbs, he broke every freshman rushing record at TCU in 2002, gaining 1,029 yards on just 157 attempts for an average of 6.6 yards per carry, en route to Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors. He was hampered much of the '03 campaign by a nagging ankle injury, but still managed to rush for 659 yards. Reggie Harrell highlights a young but explosive group of wide receivers. Harrell became the first 1,000-yard pass-catcher in school history last season. His 58 receptions was also the fourth highest single-season total in TCU history. Four of five starters on the offensive line return from last year's squad which rushed for 2,700 yards. Anthony Alabi is the most notable starter back in the fold. The 6-6, 332 pound Alabi was a First Team All-league selection last year and is on this year's preseason Lombardi Award Watch list. Chase Johnson, a Second Team All-league selection last year, and Herbert Taylor, a C-USA All-Freshman squad member in '03, should give TCU one of the best front lines in the conference.

DEFENSE: The Horned Frog defense slipped a bit in 2003, but still finished among the best in the nation. The unit ranked 38th in total defense, but really struggled against the pass, allowing 255.8 ypg. The area TCU excelled in last year was against the run (93.7 ypg). However, with just three returning starters, the Horned Frogs will have trouble duplicating their efforts from '03. On the defensive line is where TCU may have most of its trouble with no returning starters. Defensive end Rannoris Ray will need to step up as a leader for a young and inexperienced line. Ray brings a great attitude and competitive nature to the defense and has some experience with 27 tackles and eight TFLs last season. Sophomores Terence James and Jamison Newby are listed as the starting nose tackle and left end, respectively. Both got their feet wet a year ago, showed potential, and are now looking for breakout seasons. Martin Patterson is the only returning starting linebacker, but he may be the team's best defensive player. Patterson finished second on the team in tackles (97) and TFLs (15) in 2003 and is expected to be even better this season. Logo Tevaseu, who played primarily on special teams in 2003, will accompany Patterson in the middle of the field. As for the secondary, they were just torched last season and things may not be any different this year. Mark Walker, A Thorpe Award semifinalist, is expected to become more of a shutdown corner with 14 career starts under his belt. In 2003, Walker recorded 45 tackles, a team-best five interceptions and a club-high 14 pass break-ups. As for the safeties, Jeremy Modkins and Marvin Godbolt are expected to have a huge impact on cutting down long plays that killed the TCU defense last season. Modkins has made 16 career starts and led the team in tackles last year with 99. Godbolt may be the biggest boost to the team, as he garnered Third Team All-league honors last season despite playing in just four games. He had four interceptions and four forced fumbles before suffering a season- ending knee injury.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Replacing All-American placekicker Nick Browne won't be an easy task, but TCU believes Mike Wynn can fill those shoes. Wynn has handled the kickoff duties for the Frogs each of the past two years, but has attempted just one field goal. John Braziel returns to take care of the punting duties after averaging 38.9 yards on 66 punts last season.

OUTLOOK: TCU returns another strong team under coach Gary Patterson, who has led his team to two straight double-digit win seasons. Winning the Conference- USA title this year will be no easy task, but TCU certainly will contend for it. The team has an exceptional offense with the versatility to pass and run the ball on any defense. The defense is where the season will be won or lost, as only three starters return on that side of the ball. If the unit can avoid letting up big plays, there is no reason why TCU should not be one of the best in the conference yet again.