The Edge
Compiled by Braden Howell and Carlos Alvarado

TCU PASSING GAME
Reggie Harrell and Cory Rodgers can beat teams deep if given the opportunity. TCU must continue to take these chances even with Brandon Hassell at the helm. He has proven he can get the job done and is undefeated as a starter. Loosening up the defense and not making mistakes are important keys for the TCU passing game. If TCU gets conservative again and only settles for short play action passes, it will be another close game.

HOUSTON PASS DEFENSE
Sophomore cornerback Stanford Routt is the leader of this defense and playing well enough to possibly earn all conference honors this year. He anchors a unit that is 13th in the nation in pass defense, allowing just 169 yards a game. He is a playmaker and can shut down the opposing teams best receiver. Houston’s performance in assisting in the running game and assisting the linebackers with the TCU tight ends will be a key. The linebackers are speedy with their ability to assist in coverage.

TCU RUNNING GAME
The Frogs had a minor glitch in their running success against USF but were back to their old selves last week against UAB. Robert Merrill often breaks some nice runs, and Lonta Hobbs continues to find the end zone. With tackles Anthony Alabi and Herbert Taylor returning to the lineup, the Frogs should be able to sustain some long drives and control the clock using their rushing attack.

HOUSTON RUN DEFENSE
Teams have run with success against this defense, and TCU’s offensive line should be able to push around a rather large, but young Cougar defensive line. The Cougars are 98th in the country against the run, and TCU makes a living off of a power running game. However, defensive end Joe Clay and linebacker Lance Everson both have a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage.

TCU PASS DEFENSE
The Frogs gave up some big plays last weekend, but that is to be expected. The Frogs rarely allow teams to be consistent. The secondary is still not completely healthy, and it will have its hands full against Houston. The defensive line will need to get more pressure on the quarterback than it did against UAB. The Cougars have a tendency to make big plays, and the Frogs have a tendency to give them up. That combination could doom the Frogs.

HOUSTON PASSING GAME
Kevin Kolb is a TRUE freshman who is setting records for the Cougars. He has had some success in his first season as a starter, and he has many weapons to throw to. Brandon Middleton is a senior flanker who is moving up the NCAA record books with 34 consecutive games with a reception. The Cougars’ top four receivers are averaging at least 10 yards a catch, including Middleton’s team leading 23.6 yards a catch. They are used to scoring fast with 11 drives (10 touchdowns and one field goal) lasting under two minutes. They can get the big play and use it to their advantage.

TCU RUN DEFENSE
The entire TCU defense knows how to play run defense, and it shows. The linebacking corps of Martin Patterson, Josh Goolsby and Devon Davis have fine instincts that allow them to be in the right position to stop any running plays that develop. The secondary, with run stopper Brandon Williams among others, do not shy away from stepping up and putting a hit on people. The Frogs defensive line will be tested, facing the biggest offensive line it has seen this season.

HOUSTON RUNNING GAME
The Cougars like to run the ball. They rank 3rd in Conference USA and 27th in the nation. Anthony Evans and Jackie Battle, while only a sophomore and freshman, respectively, will be key in the Cougars plans to achieve the balance they would need to have a successful night against the Frogs. Center Rex Hadnot is one of the top lineman in the conference, and the Houston line averages 325 pounds. They have done well this year and have had several 100 yard rushing nights from Evans and Battle, but they will be running into a brick wall this weekend.

SPECIAL TEAMS
Nick Browne has won four C-USA Player of the Week honors this year. His range and accuracy give TCU so many options, allowing the offense to be aggressive. John Braziel took time to get going, but he is showing how accurate he can be with a handful of punts inside the opponents 20. Cory Rodgers is a gamebreaker in the making. It hasn’t happened yet, but he gets closer and closer every week. C-USA has four Lou Groza watch kickers in the league, and Dustin Bell is the last one they will face this year. Houston’s punter Jimmy McClary is just as good as Braziel. Nick Browne might be called upon to have another big night, and he should deliver as he is getting used to having to make some big kicks.

OVERALL
The Michigan whooping aside, Houston played its worst game of the year the week before a big showdown with TCU. Was it a case of looking past the opponent on the schedule? Yes. Does it matter if Houston plays its best game? Only if TCU continues to play down to its opponent’s level. Although the case against TCU all year is that the Frogs barely beat weaker opponents, Virginia Tech would love to have that distinction. The Frogs are still not clicking on offense, and the Houston fans will be out in force because they want to see an undefeated team lose in their own stadium. This will make for another tough game, but UAB should have been a wake-up call for the Frogs. The Frogs will remain one of the few undefeated teams in the country.

Prediction: Braden Howell - Frogs 27-21 Brent Yarina - Frogs 20-17