TCU-STANFORD BREAKDOWN
An ESPN piece devoted to Stanford over the summer caught the eye of TCU wide receiver Marcus Brock. He knew then that the Cardinal, with new coach Jim Harbaugh, would pose a challenge for the Horned Frogs.
The Cardinal's 24-23 upset of USC last week only reinforced what he learned from watching the Worldwide Leader in Sports.
"I was able to catch the athletic ability they have," said Brock, a senior. "But after beating USC, that's a great win. Anybody who can beat USC, that's a great accomplishment for your program."
TCU visits Stanford Stadium at 4 p.m. today, the Frogs' final nonconference contest this season. Stanford has been the darling of college football this week, and a larger-than-normal crowd, buoyed by the upset, is expected.
Frogs coach Gary Patterson doesn't expect the Cardinal to be basking in the glow of its win over the former No. 2 team in the country.
"The USC win for Stanford only counts as one. They didn't get any bonus points," Patterson said. "They're going to have to come back and play the rest of the season."
QB EDGE: EVEN
TCU: Andy Dalton will be the starter after coming off the bench at Wyoming to lead the Frogs to 18 of their 21 points. His thigh bruise, which allowed Marcus Jackson to start, isn't an issue.
Stanford: Tavita Pritchard, fresh off a last-minute pass to upset USC, gets his second consecutive start in place of T.C. Ostrander (seizure). Pritchard wasn't great (11-for-30), but he won.
RB EDGE: TCU
TCU: Aaron Brown was held to 50 yards against Wyoming as the Frogs turned to the pass to get back into the game. The Frogs could get a boost from the return of Joseph Turner (foot), a tough inside runner.
Stanford: Anthony Kimble has carried the load for the Cardinal, which ranks only 97th nationally in run offense (110.4 yards a game). Toby Gerhart, who had 141 yards against San Jose State, is doubtful (knee).
WR EDGE: STANFORD
TCU: The Frogs lost their middle-of-the-field threat when TE Shae Reagan suffered a fracture in his left leg last week. That's a big loss. Ervin Dickerson (three TDs) has emerged as Dalton's favorite target.
Stanford: Jim Dray and Ben Ladner give the Cardinal two big tight ends, and Mark Bradford (2,041 career yards) is the go-to guy at receiver. Six-foot-7 wideout Evan Moore creates a matchup problem.
OL EDGE: EVEN
TCU: Center Blake Schlueter (concussion) will start, but expect backup Tyler Marrou to also play. Wyoming beat this group for three sacks. Stanford had four against USC.
Stanford: Opponents have 19 sacks in five games against the Cardinal line, which is anchored by sixth-year center Tim Mattran. Stanford averages only 3.2 yards a carry.
DL EDGE: EVEN
TCU: DE Tommy Blake won't return this week, meaning Matt Panfil will make his fifth start. Chase Ortiz registered the Frogs' only sack last week and has three this season.
Stanford: Pannel Egboh, a junior, is the Cardinal's best player up front. He has 29 tackles, two sacks and a blocked kick this year. He's also the heaviest of the four starters at 275 pounds.
LB EDGE: TCU
TCU: The Frogs' top three linebackers -- David Hawthorne, Jason Phillips and Robert Henson -- have been impressive this season, and Daryl Washington (back) is seeing more game action.
Stanford: Weakside sophomore Clinton Snyder has five sacks and has forced two fumbles to lead a starting group that has combined for nine of the Cardinal's 16 sacks.
DB EDGE: TCU
TCU: Gary Patterson likes the way David Roach played against Wyoming, though the senior was flagged for two iffy interference calls. This group is playing a ton of minutes.
Stanford: Four of the Cardinal's six interceptions came last week against USC. FS Bo McNally, the team's leading tackler, had one, and SS Austin Yancy returned his for a TD.
ST EDGE: TCU
TCU: Special teams gave the Frogs a chance to win at Wyoming, and have been a difference all season. Daryl Washington has two blocked punts, and TCU has three in four games.
Stanford: Punter Jay Ottovegio could be under serious heat. Opponents have stuffed two of his punts this season. Kicker Derek Belch has hit 7 of 10 field-goal tries this season, two from at least 50 yards.
TCU at Stanford
4 p.m. today
Stanford Stadium, Stanford, Calif.
Records: TCU 3-3, Stanford 2-3
TV: None. Radio: ESPN/103.3 FM, KTCU/88.7 FM
Series: First meeting
Line: TCU by 6
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