[Mick]

The TCU Horned Frogs are 9-6 in bowl games under coach Gary Patterson; the Stanford Cardinal are 4-2 in bowls under coach David Shaw.

Stanford has done great with Costello, and almost bested USC in the CG.  Horned frogs lost in their CG, 41-17.

TCU has outrushed 8 of 10 opponents. 

TCU is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 bowl games.

Stanford is 21-3 in its last 24 games after a loss.

In the first game we allowed SC to convert 10-12, then limited them to 6-13 in the championship game. Being able to get off the field like that shaved them 10 plus points and 5 minutes or so of possession between the two games.

TCU needs to limit Bryce's big plays. Force Stanford to have 10 plus play drives, putting more pressure on Costello.  But Costello only had two INTs in his seven main games.  He's very smart.

Both defenses do a good job of pressuring quarterbacks as the Cardinal have recorded 32 sacks and the Horned Frogs have 41, the fourth most in the FBS.  Mat Boesen has 11.5 sacks on the season.

TCU, notoriously stingy in giving up yards on the ground, is ranked fourth in the country at just 99 rushing yards per game allowed. Stanford’s D gives up nearly 180 yards.

Scramblers like Darnold and TCU's Kenny Hill make life difficult for Stanford.  But like Darnold, Hill throws lots of INTs, most in the conference (13).

Attitude may be advantage: Stanford.  Shaw always takes a business-like, non-emotional attitude to each game.  Patterson was stalking the TCU sideline in the first quarter vs. Baylor yelling “Wake up! Wake up!” to his team?  After getting skunked in the Big 12 title game, TCU may underperform.

Keys: TCU has to contain Love.  Stanford's tackles have to do well against TCU's twin monster DEs.  TCU has to limit turnovers.  Costello will be the difference.

My prediction: Stanford 27, TCU 24.

[Mick]

The TCU Horned Frogs are 9-6 in bowl games under coach Gary Patterson; the Stanford Cardinal are 4-2 in bowls under coach David Shaw.

Stanford has done great with Costello, and almost bested USC in the CG.  Horned frogs lost in their CG, 41-17.

TCU has outrushed 8 of 10 opponents. 

TCU is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 bowl games.

Stanford is 21-3 in its last 24 games after a loss.

In the first game we allowed SC to convert 10-12, then limited them to 6-13 in the championship game. Being able to get off the field like that shaved them 10 plus points and 5 minutes or so of possession between the two games.

TCU needs to limit Bryce's big plays. Force Stanford to have 10 plus play drives, putting more pressure on Costello.  But Costello only had two INTs in his seven main games.  He's very smart.

Both defenses do a good job of pressuring quarterbacks as the Cardinal have recorded 32 sacks and the Horned Frogs have 41, the fourth most in the FBS.  Mat Boesen has 11.5 sacks on the season.

TCU, notoriously stingy in giving up yards on the ground, is ranked fourth in the country at just 99 rushing yards per game allowed. Stanford’s D gives up nearly 180 yards.

Scramblers like Darnold and TCU's Kenny Hill make life difficult for Stanford.  But like Darnold, Hill throws lots of INTs, most in the conference (13).

Attitude may be advantage: Stanford.  Shaw always takes a business-like, non-emotional attitude to each game.  Patterson was stalking the TCU sideline in the first quarter vs. Baylor yelling “Wake up! Wake up!” to his team?  After getting skunked in the Big 12 title game, TCU may underperform.

Keys: TCU has to contain Love.  Stanford's tackles have to do well against TCU's twin monster DEs.  TCU has to limit turnovers.  Costello will be the difference.

My prediction: Stanford 27, TCU 24.