Three Keys to Victory

Run the football
The Frogs had marginal success running the football against Cincinnati on Monday. They now face a young Northwestern defense that surrendered 476 yards on the ground to Air Force last week. Also, Wildcat linebacker Pat Durr suffered a knee injury in the Air Force game, and most likely will not play.

Jump off to a good start
Final statistics for the TCU/Cincinnati game: 16 penalties for 102 yards. That is simply unacceptable. A key reception by senior Shane Hudnall was brought back 15 yards on an unnecessary roughness call, and two penalties allowed Cincinnati to move up twice for a two-point conversion. It is no longer the first game of the season, so there is no excuse for offsides and 12-men-on-the-field penalties.

Eliminate penalties
Against the Bearcats, TCU went three-and-out on its first offensive series, and gave up a 75-yard touchdown pass on the first defensive play from scrimmage. The team needs to be focused, and get into the flow of the game early. The Wildcats fell down early to Air Force, and were never able to really get settled. If TCU can do the same, similar results may occur.