TCU Vs Utah: Game Day Preview Plus Score Prediction
Oct 19, 2024, 10:21 AM | Updated: 10:22 am
SALT LAKE CITY – Kyle Whittingham and his Utah football program return to action tonight against the TCU Horned Frogs. Both programs coming into this game looking to turn around their seasons. This is a crucial game for Kyle Whittingham and the Utes.
Here are some final thoughts on the game and a score prediction on the game.
TCU vs Utah
Television: ESPN
Streaming: Fubo, YouTube TV
Radio: ESPN 700 AM / 92.1 FM
RELATED: Kyle Whittingham- Isaac Wilson to start
TCU vs Utah Records
Records: Utah (4-2, 1-2); TCU (3-3, 1-2)
Last Week: Utah loss to Arizona State, 27-19; TCU bye week
Series History: Utah leads the all-time series, 5-3. However, TCU has most recent wins in 2009, and 2010.
Three Game Day Thoughts
1. Rallying around the true freshman QB Isaac Wilson
The Cam Rising experience of 2024 was short-lived. Another devasting injury has cost him the chance to continue competing, which is an unfortunate and abrupt conclusion to his season.
As a result, Isaac Wilson will be the starting quarterback moving forward. A true freshman taking the reigns of the offense can be as exciting as it is challenging.
RELATED: Utah Debuts New Look Ute Proud Uniform For TCU Game
Utah will need increased leadership around the quarterback position. Earlier this week, veteran running back Micah Bernard was named team captain. Bernard has been through a lot of battles at Utah and those experiences will fuel his leadership approach.
Coaches will need to adjust their game plans to maximize the strengths of their new signal caller, but more importantly, to minimize the weak points. Wilson needs to step up and absorb as much of the playbook and game plans as possible.
To genuinely turn things around and rally around their new quarterback, will require an entire team effort. Many players on this squad have been through similar situations and showed a lot of resilience in previous seasons. Though the experience proves it can be done, just because it’s been accomplished in the past does not mean it will happen now.
Utah has to genuinely put in the effort and the work to turn the season around. With the new quarterback taking over, it will require an entire team effort.
2. Utah HAS to win the turnover margin
Despite their 3-3 record, which includes some ugly losses, TCU is still a capable team. They have a potent passing attack with Josh Hoover at the helm. They have talented playmakers around him, most notably Jack Beck. They’re still averaging 35.3 points per game, while only giving up an average of 30.8 points.
TCU does do things things well but the one thing they’ve done worse than anybody in the Big 12 is protect the football. They are dead last in the turnover margin at -10, meanwhile, Utah is only -3.
Their turnovers have played a big role in their lack of success this season. Utah HAS to continue that trend and win the turnover margin today.
3. Expect an improved TCU Horned Frogs team
Given the bye week, the Horned Frogs have had time to work on things. As evidenced by the Arizona game a couple of weeks ago, teams can make big improvements. Going into that game, Arizona conceded a lot of run game production but they did a much better job of limiting Utah’s success on the ground that night.
TCU has not been great against the run either but they have the players capable of being quite effective against it. With a week to make adjustments, Utah has to prepare for an improved TCU defense.
RELATED: Keys to victory for Utah Football vs TCU
Utah needs their run game to generate consistent production and explosive plays too. The offensive line will be crucial to Utah’s success moving forward.
Jaren Kump is the leader of the group and he sets the tone for the four guys around him. Utah needs to up their own level of execution up front and take their physicality to another level.
Two Utah vs TCU Questions
1. How much will Utah see JaTravis Broughton?
Former Ute, JaTravis Broughton transferred to TCU this offseason. A veteran cornerback, Broughton has done a solid job for the Horned Frogs this season.
Among all TCU defenders, Broughton has been targeted the most. He’s allowed just 11 receptions but has been targeted 28 times. Those 11 receptions have generated 210 yards and 2 touchdowns, which is the most production conceded on the team as well.
The Horned Frogs welcome back a couple of cornerbacks that could impact Broughton’s playing time. However, he should still play a big role in tonight’s game.
2. How disruptive can Utah be against the TCU passing game?
Josh Hoover is the top passer in the Big 12. He has multiple options in the passing game and a dynamic top target.
Similar to the Oklahoma State passing attack, Josh Hoover gets the ball out quickly. He’s averaging 2.30 seconds to throw, which is just a shade slower than Alan Bowman and Oklahoma State’s passing attack.
Utah did a good job in that contest of finding alternative ways to disrupt the passing attack. The defensive line batted a handful of passes at the line of scrimmage and the defensive backs had arguably their best performance. They will need a similar albeit better effort in this one.
Score Prediction for Utah vs TCU
Given the change at quarterback and the team rallying around him, this will require a big collective effort. Utah needs to establish the ground game but they need to get more production out of the passing game to keep TCU’s defense honest.
Defensively, Utah has to control the line of scrimmage with their front four. The TCU offensive line has been a weak spot this season, so this seems like an advantageous matchup. The air raid spreads defenses thin, so keeping bodies in coverage and mixing up looks will be key to defensive success.
This will be a hard-fought game but Utah will show improvement this week and get the job done
Utah 28, TCU 24
Utah Football 2024 Season Results:
- Utes defeat Southern Utah, 49-0
- Utes defeat Baylor, 23-12
- Utes defeat Utah State, 38-21
- Utes defeat Oklahoma State, 22-19
- Utes fall to Arizona, 23-10
- Utes fall to Arizona State, 27-19
The Rest Of The Utes’ 2024 Schedule:
- Utah Football vs. TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday, October 19
- Utah Football @ Houston Cougars on Saturday, October 26
- Utah Football vs. BYU Cougars on Saturday, November, 9
- Utah Football @ Colorado Buffaloes on Saturday, November 16
- Utah Football vs. Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday, November 23
- Utah Football @ UCF Knights on Friday, November 29
