Texas Bowl: TCU vs. Houston

Analysis
This year’s Texas Bowl presents another classic case of strength vs. strength. Houston possesses one of the most potent and balanced offensive attacks in the nation, ranking fourth nationally in total offense with 513 yards per game, while TCU’s defense is equally adept, ranking 16th nationally and allowing only 320 yards per game. As the cliché goes, something’s gotta give.

TCU proved just how stingy it could be in a 37–0 whitewash of bowl-bound New Mexico. In that game, the Horned Frogs allowed only 119 total yards and held Rodney Ferguson to 28 yards rushing. Meanwhile, Houston’s Anthony Alridge broke the 200-yard barrier in three games this season — including a 205-yard outburst against Oregon — on his way to 1,568 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.

But as is so often the case in this sort of game, the keys may lie in the less-heralded matchup of TCU’s offense against Houston’s defense. The Cougars have proved to be vulnerable and are allowing almost 30 points per game, The Frogs have balance of their own behind quarterback Andy Dalton and several solid backs.

If the game develops into a shootout, look for Houston’s weaponry to provide the difference. But if TCU can keep the Cougar offense in check and win the turnover battle — something the Frogs rarely did this season — then the short trip back to Ft. Worth will be a happy one.

Breakdown: Houston
Campus Location: Houston Texas
Distance to Houston: N/A
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 7–9–1
2007 Season: 8–4, 6–2 Conference USA

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 10 (240)
Pass Offense: 27 (273)
Scoring Offense: 17 (36)
Rush Defense: 51 (142)
Pass Defense: 53 (224)
Scoring Defense: 82 (30)
Turnover Margin: 101 (-0.67)

Additional Notes:
Alridge ranked seventh nationally with almost 131 rushing yards per game. He had eight 100-yard rushing games on the season. In a shootout with Rice, Alridge rushed for 205 yards and four touchdowns in a 56–48 Cougar win … Cornerbacks coach Chris Thurmond was promoted to interim head coach and will lead the Cougars in this game. Former coach Art Briles is the new head man at Baylor.

Breakdown: TCU
Campus Location: Ft. Worth, Texas
Distance to Houston: 262 miles
All-Time Bowl Game Record: 9–12–1
2007 Season: 7–5, 4–4 Mountain West Conference

NCAA Rankings (yards/points per game totals):
Rush Offense: 41 (168)
Pass Offense: 61 (219)
Scoring Offense: 66 (27)
Rush Defense: 18 (109)
Pass Defense: 34 (211)
Scoring Defense: 16 (19)
Turnover Margin: 92 (-0.50)

Additional Notes:
The Frogs gave Mountain West champion BYU its sternest test of the MWC season. TCU had the ball late with a chance to take the lead when the BYU defense stiffened to preserve a 27–22 win in Provo.

Prediction: TCU by 1