TCU -2 2.2 %play
Sonny Dykes returns to face his old team here, and is off a bye, which I think gives a huge edge to TCU. SMU meanwhile had to go up to play Maryland last week in a 4 quarter battle and travel all the way back home to play their old coach. I like the staff that Dykes brought with him to TCU and the hire of DC Joe Gillespie from Tulsa, a Broyles semifinalist twice, and beat SMU each of the last two years so there is plenty of familiarity here for TCU agaisnt SMU, but not as much for SMU other than the players knowing the scheme.
SMU has some glarring red flags to start the season starting with their run defense, which has allowed 200+ yards in each game and rank111th in ypc allowing. Their offense ranks 90th in % of possessions ending in a TO , while TCU ranks 1st in that category. TCU’s offense will be down their starting QB, but many could argue Max Duggan has more experience as the started and really is not a downgrade from Chandler Morris. TCU has lost this game each of the last two times, but Sonny Dykes was on the other sideline. I think the bye week in combination with the familiarity of the players, and SMU’S weakness vs. the run, and TCU’s strenght runnign the ball will give TCU the win.
