Texas (1-3, 0-1 Big 12) at No. 4 TCU (4-0, 1-0), 11 a.m. (ABC)
Line: TCU by 15
Series Record: Texas leads 62-22-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE
TCU entered the season as a favorite for the Big 12 and a potential shot at the national title, so it can’t afford a loss to struggling Texas if its plans to chase either of those goals. The Longhorns are 1-3 for the first time since 1956 and desperately need a signature win in coach Charlie Strong’s second season.
KEY MATCHUP
TCU WR Josh Doctson against anyone Texas uses to cover him. Doctson is the Big 12’s leading receiver and is on pace for a record year. The Texas secondary has been struggling, forcing freshmen Kris Boyd, Holton Hill and Davante Davis to get more playing time. It will be a lot to ask that group to contain TCU’s 6-foot-3 touchdown target, who had 18 catches for 267 yard and three scores last week.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
TCU: QB Trevone Boykin. Who else? With the Horned Frogs defense decimated by injuries, TCU may simply have to pile on points just to survive each week. Boykin shouldered the load last week as TCU squeaked by Texas Tech 55-52. Boykin already has 14 touchdown passes and it looks like he’ll have to keep slinging them all season.
Texas: QB Jerrod Heard: After two explosive games, Heard’s game came back to earth in a loss to Oklahoma State with 179 total yards and no touchdowns passing or running. Heard’s offensive line broke down in the second half and the offense stalled in general. If he can get space and run against TCU’s weakened defense, he could keep the Longhorns in a shootout.
FACTS & FIGURES
TCU has scored at least 55 points the last three games. Texas hasn’t allowed fewer than 28 this season … Texas ranks among the worst in the country in allowing opponents to convert third downs at 56 percent … The Longhorns have scored three defensive touchdowns. TCU hasn’t forced a turnover in the last two games.