Texas Football: 3 problematic Big 12 opponents for Horns in 2020

3. TCU Horned Frogs

There’s two Big 12 foes on this list that were a real thorn in the side of the Longhorns in the last decade. One of those is the Horned Frogs, as head coach Gary Patterson really had the number of the Longhorns since his program joined the Big 12 prior to the 2012 season. Since joining the Big 12, the Longhorns are 2-6 against TCU.

Even when TCU wasn’t a Big 12 Championship contender last season, they still gave star quarterback Sam Ehlinger and Texas all they could handle at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth. TCU topped Texas by a score of 37-27 as Herman’s squad just couldn’t get a grip on the game in the second half last year on the road.

TCU does return a pretty solid, and more experienced team this season especially on the offensive side of the ball, than they had during the 2019 campaign. A lot of the pressure for TCU’s fortunes this coming season will fall on the shoulders of rising sophomore quarterback Max Duggan. Last year, Duggan registered just over 2,000 passing yards, 21 total touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.

Duggan should only get better from here, and the Longhorns will also have to deal with the likes of rising senior linebacker Garret Wallow, junior safety Trevon Moehrig-Woodard, and sophomore safety Ar’Darius Washington. TCU returns a stout back seven, more experienced offense, and a head coach that Texas just doesn’t top very often.

TCU and Texas are set to square off in Austin at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium on Nov. 14.