TCU’s Big 12 schedule is still weeks away, but Week 2 tests for Utah, BYU and Kansas could reveal three major threats in the Horned Frogs’ path.
TCU football doesn’t open Big 12 play until Sept. 26 at UCF, but the Horned Frogs can learn plenty about the conference race this weekend.
TCU on SI wrote that three future TCU opponents -Utah, BYU and Kansas - all face stronger competition in Week 2 after cruising through their season openers. For Sonny Dykes’ team, those games offer an early look at which Big 12 contenders may be more than preseason hype.
Utah gets a real test
No. 21 Utah looked explosive in its opener, crushing Idaho 66-14 while piling up 633 total yards.
Quarterback Devon Dampier completed 13 of 18 passes for 176 yards and three touchdowns, while Wayshawn Parker scored three times. The Utes also rushed for 346 yards and scored on five of six first-half possessions.
Now comes Arkansas.
Utah hosts the Razorbacks on Sept. 12 in a matchup that should tell TCU far more about the Utes than the Idaho rout did. TCU won’t see Utah until Nov. 21, but Morgan Scalley’s team already looks capable of becoming a major factor in the league race.
BYU may be an immediate problem
No. 14 BYU was even more dominant in Week 1, hammering Utah Tech 63-7.
Bear Bachmeier completed 16 of 20 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score on the ground. The Cougars rushed for 308 yards and forced four turnovers.
Freshman Legend Glasker immediately became a name to remember, scoring three touchdowns on only a handful of touches.
BYU now hosts Arizona in its Big 12 opener. Arizona is coming off a 35-7 win over Northern Arizona in which veteran quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns.
That result matters directly to TCU. The Frogs host BYU on Oct. 3.
Kansas gets the Border War
Kansas also handled business in its opener, beating LIU 51-6.
Quarterback Isaiah Marshall threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns, while the Jayhawks generated 613 total yards.
The competition ramps up sharply Friday night against Missouri.
Kansas hosts the Tigers in the Border War before eventually visiting TCU on Oct. 31.
For the Horned Frogs, Week 2 isn’t about scoreboard watching for playoff purposes yet.
It’s about scouting the neighborhood.
Utah has explosive potential. BYU looks balanced and dangerous. Kansas has enough offensive firepower to cause problems.
By the end of this weekend, TCU should have a much clearer idea which of those teams belongs near the top of the Big 12 pecking order.
