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Game-by-game predictions for TCU in 2024: Will the Frogs go above .500 this season?

The outcome of this season is crucial for Sonny Dykes and the Frogs, who have a lot to prove since their national championship failure.

Sonny Dykes is more than pleased about how TCU has developed during the offseason and has high expectations that they will find more success this year. Josh Hoover is a completely different quarterback, he said, playing with maturity and being a strong leader for the team. This season has the potential to be a major, permanent shift in football for the Frogs.

Here are predictions for every game on the 2024 TCU football schedule:

Aug. 30: TCU at Stanford

This season-opening game should be a showcase of TCU’s improvements on both sides of the ball. The Frogs should add one more to the win column against Stanford as they are 3-0 against them all-time. Their last matchup was in 2017, and although close, TCU came out on top 39-37. In the 2023-24 season, Stanford was ranked second-to-last with a 2-7 Pac-12 record, and that alone speaks for itself.

Prediction: TCU 45, Stanford 3

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Sept. 7: LIU at TCU (Cowtown Kickoff)

Also coming off a losing season, the Long Island Sharks enter Amon G. Carter stadium looking for an upset against TCU. LIU got a taste of the Big 12 last season against Baylor Sept. 16, 2023, and lost, and will lose again against the Frogs. Sonny Dykes and his squad will have another low-pressure opportunity to show off the team and gain more confidence moving into Big 12 play.

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Prediction: TCU 39, LIU 7

Sept. 14: UCF at TCU

TCU will start conference play with a dominating win over UCF. The Knights are still trying to answer some questions about their offense with KJ Jefferson transferring in from Arkansas coming in as their new QB1 and a questionable offensive line despite having talent in RB room. TCU’s starting quarterback Josh Hoover already has Big 12 experience under his belt, and the improvements on the offensive and defensive line will cause UCF to crumble.

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Prediction: TCU 27, UCF 3

Sept. 21: TCU at SMU

Fans of either team remember the atrocity that was the Iron Skillet showdown in 2022, where temperatures were scorching and Gerald J. Ford stadium ran out of water. This is SMU’s first year in the ACC, and the Mustangs are they’re coming off their first conference title in 40 years with an 11-3 record, so the game could be a coin-flip. The Frogs have held onto the skillet for the last two years in a row, and will barely hold onto it this year. In a close contest, they will remain in possession. The consecutive wins will give Sonny Dykes and the Frogs the momentum to keep the streak alive. and send the Mustangs packing.

Prediction: TCU 28, SMU 21

Sept. 28: TCU at Kansas (Arrowhead Stadium)

The Jayhawks are entering the season with their best recruiting class and a double-digit transfer class, but so are the Frogs. Last season’s contest was close in TCU’s favor; this year it will be in Kansas’ favor. Quarterback Jalon Daniels, who sat out for 10 games last season for with back tightness, will be explosive with the Jayhawk’s tried-and-true offensive scheme run by new offensive coordinator, Jeff Grimes. It will be a shootout between Hoover and Daniels with a Jayhawks win at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.

Prediction: 38 Kansas, TCU 31

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Oct. 4: Houston at TCU

TCU is a prime example of what magic can happen with a new head coach as they went to the College Football Playoff national championship in Dykes’ first year, and Houston is hoping for similar magic rocking with Willie Fritz. The Cougars have talent coming off injury with redshirt freshman RB Re’Shaun Sanford II having meaningful reps in practice, but their offense won’t be ready for the new-and-improved TCU defensive scheme.

Prediction: TCU 21, Houston 17

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Oct. 19: TCU at Utah

TCU and Utah have not faced off since 2010 and this matchup is long overdue. The Frogs rolled over Utah with a final score of 47-7. This season, the Utes are ranked No. 12 in the NCAA College Football AP poll, the highest-ranked Big 12 team. This game is a crucial point in TCU’s season as it will determine if it they can compete for a Big 12 title. If the Frogs come out victorious, the title is theirs.

Prediction: Utah 21, TCU 17

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Oct. 26: Texas Tech at TCU

The Frogs had trouble last season against the Red Raiders. Texas Tech DB Dadrion Taylor-Demerson picked off Hoover twice, and RB Tahj Brooks tore up TCU’s defensive line with 150 rushing yards on 31 attempts and one touchdown. These players are returning on Texas Tech’s 2024-25 squad, and this will be the ultimate test of whether TCU’s defense can truly stop the run game.

Prediction: TCU 28, Texas Tech 24

Nov. 2: TCU at Baylor

TCU fans will never forget the iconic moment in 2022 when the field goal team ran onto the field inside McLane stadium in Waco during the final 10 seconds of the game to kick the game-winner and win. This matchup will be a reset game for the Frogs heading into the final three games of the season. Also, TCU acquired Baylor’s star TE Drake Dabney, who holds records at their program. Last year’s game was a blowout and this year a similar score could be likely.

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Prediction: TCU 38, Baylor 10

Nov. 9: Oklahoma State at TCU

The Cowboys are a real contender for the Big 12 title this season. The 2023 Doak Walker award winner Ollie Gordon II is at their disposal, and Ollie Gordon II has the potential to be lethal against TCU. Oklahoma State also has a stellar receiving room playing into their projected offensive success. Like the Texas Tech game, this will be a test for the Frogs to show they can be consistent at a high level. If TCU plays perfect, it will be a close game.

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Prediction: Oklahoma State 28, TCU 27

Nov. 23: Arizona at TCU

These two teams haven’t faced off since 2003, and it’s an even contest. The Wildcats could be a sneaky juggernaut in the Big 12, as last season they finished 10-3 with and four ranked wins. With many starters returning, Arizona has a veteran team that’s played a lot of football, compared to TCU’s transfer-laden roster that has a lot of transfers. A TCU win against Arizona would will put the Frogs in serious contention for the Big 12 title, but they’ll fall short to Arizona.

Prediction: Arizona 35, TCU 28

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Nov. 30: TCU at Cincinnati

TCU will close out conference play with a win at Cincinnati, and an easy one too. The Bearcats could be a sneaky underdog here, as their schedule is light with no Oklahoma State, Arizona, BYU or Kansas. Hoover will take over and lead TCU to a win, giving the them confidence heading into their bowl game and into 2025.

Prediction: TCU 45, Cincinnati 27

Prediction for the 2024 season: 8-4 (5-4)

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