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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 7-5 (4-4) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Dennis Franchione Returning starters: 17 (offense 7, defense 8) Outlook After winning six more games in 1998 than his predecessor did in '97. Horned Frogs coach Dennis Franchione finds himself with a new challenge this season: tempering expectations with reality for a team that won just one game two season ago. Football, like everything else, is big in Texas, and not just at the programs that draw 25,000 fans for the spring scrimmage. TCU's turnaround tied for the best improvement in terms of wins in the country with Louisville. It's part of a pattern that has seen Franchione wave a magic wand over programs from Kansas to New Mexico to Texas. In the past 33 years, TCU has enjoyed just six winning seasons. Count on making it seven in 34 this season. The possibility of a conference championship and a bowl bid looms large. OffenseThe play of quarterback Patrick Batteaux will be key to the success of this unit. Last year he completed less than 50 percent of his throws, but his running ability makes him an ideal triggerman for Franchione's diverse offense. Batteaux passed for 519 yards and rushed for 479 last year. If he can't deliver consistently, either senior Jeff Dover or sophomore Matt Schobel could be called upon. LaDainian Tomlinson (5-11, 210) is the only proven running back. Last year the all-WAC Mountain Division second-teamer rushed for 717 yards and scored a team-high eight touchdowns. Beefy George Layne (5-11, 236) is the fullback. The line will rely on the play of three returnees: second-team all conference tackle Michael Keathley, center Jeff Garner and guard Jeff Millican. There is little depth behind them, and two new starters must be found. Junior David Bobo (5-6, 291) should fill one tackle position and sophomore Victor Payne (6-1, 294) is listed No. 1 at the other guard spot. When TCU goes upstairs, it will do so with confidence as the four leading receivers from last season are back in the fold. Senior Mike Scarborough should emerge as the primary target, but junior Cedric James and redshirt freshman Kevin Brown could blossom into all-league candidates. It's a good sign if: Batteaux settles down and plays consistently.It's a bad sign if: Tomlinson gets banged up -- he is only legitimate runner. Defense The front four of Aaron Schobel, J.W. Wilson, Doug Shanks and Shawn Worthen should provide a threatening presence for the Horned Frogs. There is no weak link among the group, and Worthen (6-1, 290) has the size to occupy more than one blocker. Last season London Dunlap's 41 tackles led the unit. He's currently No. 2 on the depth chart at defensive end behind Schobel. Last year they destroyed USC's running game in the Sun Bowl. The Trojans finished the game with minus-23 yards rushing. The team's top tackler is free safety Reggie Hunt. He had 111 stops a year ago. He'll line up with strong safety Russell Gary, and cornerbacks Jason Goss and Greg Walls. Hunt (6-0, 21) will be the guy counted on to make the big plays however. Goss, a redshirt freshman, must demonstrate he is ready to play at this level soon. Curtis Fuller is the unit's fifth man. While the linebackers were solid last year, there is hope they can be sensational with a year of seasoning. In TCU's 4-2-5 lineup. Terrance Maiden and Shannon Brazzell are atop the depth chart. Brazzell, a 6-0, 228-pound junior, is a potential star It's a good sign if: The team can put consistent pressure on the QB.It's a bad sign if: Hunt remains the team's top tackler. Linemen and linebackers need to make more stops. Special Teams All-conference kicker Chris Kaylakie gives TCU a weapon on special teams. He made 15 of 20 kicks a year ago. The 6-2, 190-pound junior repeatedly reached the end zone with kickoffs a year ago. Punter Royce Huffman averaged more than 41 yards per kick last season and is pack for his senior year. -- John Crowley |
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