[george]

Are you ready for some ACC football?  I can't believe that we're less than two weeks away from the start of our season.  

BTW, if Stanford's rating in EA Sports College Football 25 is any indication, it's going to be a long season...

[george]

Are you ready for some ACC football?  I can't believe that we're less than two weeks away from the start of our season.  

BTW, if Stanford's rating in EA Sports College Football 25 is any indication, it's going to be a long season...

[SkiBum80]

I'll bite.
And let my over-optimistic pollyanna view of our guys and Coach TT & Co's ability to get them ready, and overrule my more analytic and rational side.
And go with a Stanford 21-17 upset win.

[SkiBum80]

I'll bite.
And let my over-optimistic pollyanna view of our guys and Coach TT & Co's ability to get them ready, and overrule my more analytic and rational side.
And go with a Stanford 21-17 upset win.

[CompSci87]

The Athletic has TCU at #47 and Stanford at #87.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5706595...-rankings/

[CompSci87]

The Athletic has TCU at #47 and Stanford at #87.

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5706595...-rankings/

[Mick]

TCU is a 9.5 favorite, according to Vegas Insider and 8 point favorite according to ESPN. They were 5-7 last year, losses to Colorado, West VA, Iowa St., Kansas St., Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma with wins over Nicholls, Houston, SMU, BYU and Baylor.

The game is at 7:30 p.m. which means a 9:30 p.m. start, body clock-wise for the Central time zone TCU players, given that they play in Fort Worth. I predict a second half meltdown.

Secondly, TCU does great at home, poorly on the road. They lost four of five on the road last year, beating only Houston.

I like our chances. If Stanford can stay within a TD during the first half, they'll win the second half. My guess is 31-30, Stanford.

---

TCU is a 9.5 favorite, according to Vegas Insider and 8 point favorite according to ESPN. They were 5-7 last year, losses to Colorado, West VA, Iowa St., Kansas St., Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma with wins over Nicholls, Houston, SMU, BYU and Baylor.

The game is at 7:30 p.m. which means a 9:30 p.m. start, body clock-wise for the Central time zone TCU players, given that they play in Fort Worth. I predict a second half meltdown.

Secondly, TCU does great at home, poorly on the road. They lost four of five on the road last year, beating only Houston.

I like our chances. If Stanford can stay within a TD during the first half, they'll win the second half. My guess is 31-30, Stanford.

P. S....when I entered Stanford 31, TCU 30, the board's software rated that "Red Hot Shame"  Really?

[Mick]

TCU is a 9.5 favorite, according to Vegas Insider and 8 point favorite according to ESPN. They were 5-7 last year, losses to Colorado, West VA, Iowa St., Kansas St., Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma with wins over Nicholls, Houston, SMU, BYU and Baylor.

The game is at 7:30 p.m. which means a 9:30 p.m. start, body clock-wise for the Central time zone TCU players, given that they play in Fort Worth. I predict a second half meltdown.

Secondly, TCU does great at home, poorly on the road. They lost four of five on the road last year, beating only Houston.

I like our chances. If Stanford can stay within a TD during the first half, they'll win the second half. My guess is 31-30, Stanford.

---

TCU is a 9.5 favorite, according to Vegas Insider and 8 point favorite according to ESPN. They were 5-7 last year, losses to Colorado, West VA, Iowa St., Kansas St., Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma with wins over Nicholls, Houston, SMU, BYU and Baylor.

The game is at 7:30 p.m. which means a 9:30 p.m. start, body clock-wise for the Central time zone TCU players, given that they play in Fort Worth. I predict a second half meltdown.

Secondly, TCU does great at home, poorly on the road. They lost four of five on the road last year, beating only Houston.

I like our chances. If Stanford can stay within a TD during the first half, they'll win the second half. My guess is 31-30, Stanford.

P. S....when I entered Stanford 31, TCU 30, the board's software rated that "Red Hot Shame"  Really?

[Maple Leaf]

TCU is a 9.5 favorite, according to Vegas Insider and 8 point favorite according to ESPN. They were 5-7 last year, losses to Colorado, West VA, Iowa St., Kansas St., Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma with wins over Nicholls, Houston, SMU, BYU and Baylor.

The game is at 7:30 p.m. which means a 9:30 p.m. start, body clock-wise for the Central time zone TCU players, given that they play in Fort Worth. I predict a second half meltdown.

Secondly, TCU does great at home, poorly on the road. They lost four of five on the road last year, beating only Houston.

I like our chances. If Stanford can stay within a TD during the first half, they'll win the second half. My guess is 31-30, Stanford.

---

TCU is a 9.5 favorite, according to Vegas Insider and 8 point favorite according to ESPN. They were 5-7 last year, losses to Colorado, West VA, Iowa St., Kansas St., Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma with wins over Nicholls, Houston, SMU, BYU and Baylor.

The game is at 7:30 p.m. which means a 9:30 p.m. start, body clock-wise for the Central time zone TCU players, given that they play in Fort Worth. I predict a second half meltdown.

Secondly, TCU does great at home, poorly on the road. They lost four of five on the road last year, beating only Houston.

I like our chances. If Stanford can stay within a TD during the first half, they'll win the second half. My guess is 31-30, Stanford.

P. S....when I entered Stanford 31, TCU 30, the board's software rated that "Red Hot Shame"  Really?

TCU is coached by Sunny Yikes formal of Kal.  He did not do too well against Stanford back then, hope the trend continues.

[Maple Leaf]

TCU is a 9.5 favorite, according to Vegas Insider and 8 point favorite according to ESPN. They were 5-7 last year, losses to Colorado, West VA, Iowa St., Kansas St., Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma with wins over Nicholls, Houston, SMU, BYU and Baylor.

The game is at 7:30 p.m. which means a 9:30 p.m. start, body clock-wise for the Central time zone TCU players, given that they play in Fort Worth. I predict a second half meltdown.

Secondly, TCU does great at home, poorly on the road. They lost four of five on the road last year, beating only Houston.

I like our chances. If Stanford can stay within a TD during the first half, they'll win the second half. My guess is 31-30, Stanford.

---

TCU is a 9.5 favorite, according to Vegas Insider and 8 point favorite according to ESPN. They were 5-7 last year, losses to Colorado, West VA, Iowa St., Kansas St., Texas Tech, Texas and Oklahoma with wins over Nicholls, Houston, SMU, BYU and Baylor.

The game is at 7:30 p.m. which means a 9:30 p.m. start, body clock-wise for the Central time zone TCU players, given that they play in Fort Worth. I predict a second half meltdown.

Secondly, TCU does great at home, poorly on the road. They lost four of five on the road last year, beating only Houston.

I like our chances. If Stanford can stay within a TD during the first half, they'll win the second half. My guess is 31-30, Stanford.

P. S....when I entered Stanford 31, TCU 30, the board's software rated that "Red Hot Shame"  Really?

TCU is coached by Sunny Yikes formal of Kal.  He did not do too well against Stanford back then, hope the trend continues.

[Goose]

TCU is coached by Sunny Yikes formal of Kal.  He did not do too well against Stanford back then, hope the trend continues.

The one year Yikes did great at TCU he has a defense that was a holdover from the previous regime. Subsequently he reverted to his Kal recipe of scoring points but giving up more than he scored. IMO the question will be "Can Stanford run the ball against TCU?". If we can, Yikes could be in for a long day. If we can't, I suspect our passing offense will not be able to score as many points as the Yikes air raid can.

[Goose]

TCU is coached by Sunny Yikes formal of Kal.  He did not do too well against Stanford back then, hope the trend continues.

The one year Yikes did great at TCU he has a defense that was a holdover from the previous regime. Subsequently he reverted to his Kal recipe of scoring points but giving up more than he scored. IMO the question will be "Can Stanford run the ball against TCU?". If we can, Yikes could be in for a long day. If we can't, I suspect our passing offense will not be able to score as many points as the Yikes air raid can.

[qwerty49]

My first instinct was we won't have enough pass rush to affect their passing game, but then I realized the air raid has lots of quick outs and slants, and it really comes down to how well we can limit them to short yardage on those plays, take away the first option, etc.  And our d-backfield is pretty green.  The O/U is 61.5, which is right on Mick's prediction above.

[qwerty49]

My first instinct was we won't have enough pass rush to affect their passing game, but then I realized the air raid has lots of quick outs and slants, and it really comes down to how well we can limit them to short yardage on those plays, take away the first option, etc.  And our d-backfield is pretty green.  The O/U is 61.5, which is right on Mick's prediction above.

[marchballer]

I'm slightly less optimistic. I'm thinking we start a little slow while we work on finding our rythmn on offense and defense.

Horned Frogs 38
Cardinal 17

[marchballer]

I'm slightly less optimistic. I'm thinking we start a little slow while we work on finding our rythmn on offense and defense.

Horned Frogs 38
Cardinal 17

[Mick]

TCU is coached by Sunny Yikes formal of Kal.  He did not do too well against Stanford back then, hope the trend continues.

The one year Yikes did great at TCU he has a defense that was a holdover from the previous regime. Subsequently he reverted to his Kal recipe of scoring points but giving up more than he scored. IMO the question will be "Can Stanford run the ball against TCU?". If we can, Yikes could be in for a long day. If we can't, I suspect our passing offense will not be able to score as many points as the Yikes air raid can.

Yikes hired former Boise State head coach Andy Avalos as his new high-energy DC. They are transitionin from a 3-4 to an innovative 4-2-5 defense. Josh Hoover, their new QB, averaged 339 yards per game, getting the start for the last six games. They had a rough time against #18 Kansas State, but otherwise produced on offense. The former starting QB transferred to North Texas State. They return two top receivers and a terrific transfer (soph) who has been crushing it this spring.

They face a lot of ranked teams this year. Hopefully, they overlook Stanford.

TCU certainly doesn't want repeat of 2023 after going from national title game to losing record (msn.com)

[Mick]

TCU is coached by Sunny Yikes formal of Kal.  He did not do too well against Stanford back then, hope the trend continues.

The one year Yikes did great at TCU he has a defense that was a holdover from the previous regime. Subsequently he reverted to his Kal recipe of scoring points but giving up more than he scored. IMO the question will be "Can Stanford run the ball against TCU?". If we can, Yikes could be in for a long day. If we can't, I suspect our passing offense will not be able to score as many points as the Yikes air raid can.

Yikes hired former Boise State head coach Andy Avalos as his new high-energy DC. They are transitionin from a 3-4 to an innovative 4-2-5 defense. Josh Hoover, their new QB, averaged 339 yards per game, getting the start for the last six games. They had a rough time against #18 Kansas State, but otherwise produced on offense. The former starting QB transferred to North Texas State. They return two top receivers and a terrific transfer (soph) who has been crushing it this spring.

They face a lot of ranked teams this year. Hopefully, they overlook Stanford.

TCU certainly doesn't want repeat of 2023 after going from national title game to losing record (msn.com)

[Goose]

They face a lot of ranked teams this year. Hopefully, they overlook Stanford.

TCU certainly doesn't want repeat of 2023 after going from national title game to losing record (msn.com)

No way they overlook Stanford. First, it is the opener. Everybody is sick of practice and wants to play "real football". Second, Yikes lost to Stanford every year he was at Kal. He isn't ever going to forget it. Yes, it isn't a "Big Game", but no way does Yikes want to start the year with yet another loss in Stanford stadium.

[Goose]

They face a lot of ranked teams this year. Hopefully, they overlook Stanford.

TCU certainly doesn't want repeat of 2023 after going from national title game to losing record (msn.com)

No way they overlook Stanford. First, it is the opener. Everybody is sick of practice and wants to play "real football". Second, Yikes lost to Stanford every year he was at Kal. He isn't ever going to forget it. Yes, it isn't a "Big Game", but no way does Yikes want to start the year with yet another loss in Stanford stadium.

[Mick]

They face a lot of ranked teams this year. Hopefully, they overlook Stanford.

TCU certainly doesn't want repeat of 2023 after going from national title game to losing record (msn.com)

No way they overlook Stanford. First, it is the opener. Everybody is sick of practice and wants to play "real football". Second, Yikes lost to Stanford every year he was at Kal. He isn't ever going to forget it. Yes, it isn't a "Big Game", but no way does Yikes want to start the year with yet another loss in Stanford stadium.

So...would you take TCU minus the 8 points?

[Mick]

They face a lot of ranked teams this year. Hopefully, they overlook Stanford.

TCU certainly doesn't want repeat of 2023 after going from national title game to losing record (msn.com)

No way they overlook Stanford. First, it is the opener. Everybody is sick of practice and wants to play "real football". Second, Yikes lost to Stanford every year he was at Kal. He isn't ever going to forget it. Yes, it isn't a "Big Game", but no way does Yikes want to start the year with yet another loss in Stanford stadium.

So...would you take TCU minus the 8 points?

[Goose]

They face a lot of ranked teams this year. Hopefully, they overlook Stanford.

TCU certainly doesn't want repeat of 2023 after going from national title game to losing record (msn.com)

No way they overlook Stanford. First, it is the opener. Everybody is sick of practice and wants to play "real football". Second, Yikes lost to Stanford every year he was at Kal. He isn't ever going to forget it. Yes, it isn't a "Big Game", but no way does Yikes want to start the year with yet another loss in Stanford stadium.

So...would you take TCU minus the 8 points?

No, because I have absolutely no idea about how "good" (or not) either team will be. That I freely admit. As I said before if Stanford can run the ball effectively they can potentially keep the game close. The 8 points might make sense in that scenario. However, last year Stanford never did run the ball effectively for more than a few plays in a row. This year we should have a better OL and possibly better backs. Is that true and if so how much "better" will they be? I have no idea. I do however believe that if Stanford has a good game and defeats TCU it won't be because Yikes underestimated Stanford or his team wasn't "ready". They will have a body clock problem that may catch up with them. Their coaches can't eliminate that issue :-). Their 4-2-5 defense will be an interesting transition for them. Will TCU have a markedly better defense than last year? I have no idea. Looking forward to seeing them play.

[Goose]

They face a lot of ranked teams this year. Hopefully, they overlook Stanford.

TCU certainly doesn't want repeat of 2023 after going from national title game to losing record (msn.com)

No way they overlook Stanford. First, it is the opener. Everybody is sick of practice and wants to play "real football". Second, Yikes lost to Stanford every year he was at Kal. He isn't ever going to forget it. Yes, it isn't a "Big Game", but no way does Yikes want to start the year with yet another loss in Stanford stadium.

So...would you take TCU minus the 8 points?

No, because I have absolutely no idea about how "good" (or not) either team will be. That I freely admit. As I said before if Stanford can run the ball effectively they can potentially keep the game close. The 8 points might make sense in that scenario. However, last year Stanford never did run the ball effectively for more than a few plays in a row. This year we should have a better OL and possibly better backs. Is that true and if so how much "better" will they be? I have no idea. I do however believe that if Stanford has a good game and defeats TCU it won't be because Yikes underestimated Stanford or his team wasn't "ready". They will have a body clock problem that may catch up with them. Their coaches can't eliminate that issue :-). Their 4-2-5 defense will be an interesting transition for them. Will TCU have a markedly better defense than last year? I have no idea. Looking forward to seeing them play.

[martyup]

Time for the return of the Angry Nerds!

[martyup]

Time for the return of the Angry Nerds!

[thunder_chik]

Looks like the odds makers are expecting a lot of points.  Last season, TCU averaged around 31 points per game; us, about 20.  We were 132nd of 133 in points scored against, 37.7.
Despite that, I'm going with Stanford 27, TCU 24.  One can dream...

FYI: The true "horned frogs" are not native to the United States, but to Central and South America.  Growing up in California, a "horny toad" was the common name of a type of lizard (we used to catch them in the orchards of Whittier).  According to the TCU website, their mascot is actually the Texas horned lizard, the largest of 15 varieties of horned lizard in the US.  Interesting fact:  They can shoot blood, filled with a noxious substance, out of their eyeballs up to five feet.  Ick.

[thunder_chik]

Looks like the odds makers are expecting a lot of points.  Last season, TCU averaged around 31 points per game; us, about 20.  We were 132nd of 133 in points scored against, 37.7.
Despite that, I'm going with Stanford 27, TCU 24.  One can dream...

FYI: The true "horned frogs" are not native to the United States, but to Central and South America.  Growing up in California, a "horny toad" was the common name of a type of lizard (we used to catch them in the orchards of Whittier).  According to the TCU website, their mascot is actually the Texas horned lizard, the largest of 15 varieties of horned lizard in the US.  Interesting fact:  They can shoot blood, filled with a noxious substance, out of their eyeballs up to five feet.  Ick.

[Snorlax94]

I had the exact same prediction as SkiBum80, a 21-17 Stanford win.

Defying the oddsmakers predictions of a high scoring game, a quick recon of TCU showed they lost their qb, running back, and 4 of their 5 interior linemen. They like what they have and apparently have re -loaded with a lot of good transfers, but I don’t see how a bunch of transfers can gel together in the first game. Maybe they can be formidable by the end of the season, but I feel like their playbook will be limited, and they’ll make a lot of mistakes, and the offense can be stymied like how Stanford used to have success containing green qbs.

Their defensive strength appears to be their linebackers and d linemen, and our offensive weakness appears to be a yet-to-be-determined running game, but I think TT finds a way to put up enough points using just the passing game to pull off the upset.

[Snorlax94]

I had the exact same prediction as SkiBum80, a 21-17 Stanford win.

Defying the oddsmakers predictions of a high scoring game, a quick recon of TCU showed they lost their qb, running back, and 4 of their 5 interior linemen. They like what they have and apparently have re -loaded with a lot of good transfers, but I don’t see how a bunch of transfers can gel together in the first game. Maybe they can be formidable by the end of the season, but I feel like their playbook will be limited, and they’ll make a lot of mistakes, and the offense can be stymied like how Stanford used to have success containing green qbs.

Their defensive strength appears to be their linebackers and d linemen, and our offensive weakness appears to be a yet-to-be-determined running game, but I think TT finds a way to put up enough points using just the passing game to pull off the upset.

[SkiBum80]

I had the exact same prediction as SkiBum80, a 21-17 Stanford win.

Defying the oddsmakers predictions of a high scoring game, a quick recon of TCU showed they lost their qb, running back, and 4 of their 5 interior linemen. They like what they have and apparently have re -loaded with a lot of good transfers, but I don’t see how a bunch of transfers can gel together in the first game. Maybe they can be formidable by the end of the season, but I feel like their playbook will be limited, and they’ll make a lot of mistakes, and the offense can be stymied like how Stanford used to have success containing green qbs.

Their defensive strength appears to be their linebackers and d linemen, and our offensive weakness appears to be a yet-to-be-determined running game, but I think TT finds a way to put up enough points using just the passing game to pull off the upset.

Great!
When we win we can share the major award, delivered in a big crate, marked on the outside in Italian with "F-R-A-G-I-L-E".

[SkiBum80]

I had the exact same prediction as SkiBum80, a 21-17 Stanford win.

Defying the oddsmakers predictions of a high scoring game, a quick recon of TCU showed they lost their qb, running back, and 4 of their 5 interior linemen. They like what they have and apparently have re -loaded with a lot of good transfers, but I don’t see how a bunch of transfers can gel together in the first game. Maybe they can be formidable by the end of the season, but I feel like their playbook will be limited, and they’ll make a lot of mistakes, and the offense can be stymied like how Stanford used to have success containing green qbs.

Their defensive strength appears to be their linebackers and d linemen, and our offensive weakness appears to be a yet-to-be-determined running game, but I think TT finds a way to put up enough points using just the passing game to pull off the upset.

Great!
When we win we can share the major award, delivered in a big crate, marked on the outside in Italian with "F-R-A-G-I-L-E".

[lex24]

TCU 34-17

[lex24]

TCU 34-17

[SkiBum80]

Not changing my official prediction of Cards with the win.
But after spending a bit of time looking more closely at TCU, I have to say 2 things:
-- they gonna be a handful
-- I'm not pre-spending my prediction winnings

[SkiBum80]

Not changing my official prediction of Cards with the win.
But after spending a bit of time looking more closely at TCU, I have to say 2 things:
-- they gonna be a handful
-- I'm not pre-spending my prediction winnings

[vataha]

First game optimism. I’ll believe until I don’t. 
SU 31  TCU 29

[vataha]

First game optimism. I’ll believe until I don’t. 
SU 31  TCU 29

[rogpodge]

Assuming TCU is as overrated as SMU was, 27-20 TCU.

[rogpodge]

Assuming TCU is as overrated as SMU was, 27-20 TCU.