TCU's iffy QB situation could pose problems
A short answer quiz couldn’t be any easier.
Does it matter who starts at quarterback for TCU?
Yes.
And no.
Either response is acceptable.
Ask the Wyoming coaching staff if anything changes depending on who’s under center during the Cowboys’ conference opener today at War Memorial Stadium, and they’ll offer the latter response.
“They’re both pretty darn good,” UW coach Joe Glenn said. “And they both can manage their offense pretty darn well.”
Pop the question to cornerback Michael Medina and he’ll answer in the affirmative.
“It changes things a little bit,” Medina said. “One is more of a throwing quarterback, and the other is a more of a runner, a dual-threat quarterback.”
Chances are, both Glenn and Medina right.
The Horned Frogs' uncertainty at center could alter the look of their offense significantly, though neither Andy Dalton nor Marcus Jackson will affect the Cowboys’ defensive schemes.
But depending on which signal-caller gets the nod, responsibilities are subject to change for UW.
Dalton, the more traditional pocket passer, has started all five games for TCU this season, but the freshman is a game-time decision after suffering a thigh bruise last week.
Marcus Jackson, the multipurpose passer, ran for two touchdowns and threw another in relief during the win over Colorado State.
“We’ve got to adjust depending on who’s in,” Medina said. “When Marcus Jackson is in they’ll have the opportunity to run more quarterback draws and the option more.
“Whereas with Dalton, they’ll still run the option, but he tends to chuck it.”
Whatever they’re running, TCU coach Gary Patterson had stressed throughout the preseason he needed only a caretaker to guide the offense.
A knee injury to star running back Aaron Brown crashed that plan, and Dalton’s inability to generate many plays on his own against Air Force helped derail the Horned Frogs’ bid to bust through to the BCS.
And he was certainly no match for Texas.
But Brown is back now, fresh off a 124-yard performance against the Rams that made for an easier transition into the lineup for Marcus Jackson.
Whether he stays there remains to be seen, but Glenn doesn’t seem to care either way.
“I asked (defensive coordinator) Mike (Breske) about it, and he told me that it doesn’t make any difference whether it’s Dalton or Marcus Jackson,” Glenn said. “The hard part and the guy you’ve got to stop is the tailback.
“The guy is murder.”
That quarterback quiz is considerably easier.
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