Greg McElroy explains why TCU could bounce back in 2024
TCU fell back to earth last fall after reaching the playoff in the season prior. Now, though, the Horned Frogs could potentially project back upward this year according to Greg McElroy.
McElroy broke down a possible improvement down in Fort Worth in 2024 during an episode of ‘Always College Football’. It began with what went wrong in 2023, specifically on the offensive side of the football where they scored a touchdown less per game after being a Top-10 unit the year prior. That alone can make all the difference, especially in a season that had three losses by just a field-goal margin.
“Granted, yeah, there were quite a few close games last year but they had the ball bounce their way the year before so that’s the way things kind of work,” McElroy noted.
“We talk a little bit about TCU? It’s about continuity on the offensive side of the football. Last year? They lost Garrett Riley, they lost Max Duggan, they lost a ton of NFL draft picks like multiple running backs, a couple of great wide receivers. So, last year, it was kind of tricky,” said McElroy. “I mean Kendal Briles comes in. You’ve got Chandler Morris at the beginning and Josh Hoover at the quarterback spot. They just really struggled to maintain any type of momentum offensively last year.”
However, TCU’s offense could now make a progression with several players back as well as added to it. That begins with Hoover who, after starting the final six games of their last season, looks to be their QB1. It also includes other contributors and weapons that may push them closer to the first half of the Top-50 rather than the back half like they just were.
“The good news is I do think they’ve kind of settled on a quarterback. Now, it’s a question. How good is Josh Hoover? We’re all a little curious about that,” said McElroy. “They didn’t go out and land a guy in the portal. And, even when Ken Seals decided to join the roster, they still felt like Hoover is probably the guy that can kind of get them back to where they want to go. He did throw nine interceptions last year so that will be an issue moving forward. You can’t turn the football over. But he does now have some experience.”
“I do think Kendal Briles brings back a lot of guys that are capable of playing at a pretty high level. We talked about Hoover already. That’s solid. There have been flashes of potential that have been shown, McElroy continued. “You’ve got a two-way battle at running back with Trey Sanders and Trent Battle – feel pretty good about that spot. You get Savion Williams and JP Richardson at wide receiver – should be in a good spot there. You add Baylor transfer Drake Dabney to help ease the problem that was the loss of Jared Wiley. The offensive line is kind of tough to figure because you lose three starters but you bring in Bless Harris from Florida State that should take over one of the tackle spots.”
That’s before even getting to a defense that could develop some among the most returning production nationally plus a different play-caller.
“Then, on the defensive side, Andy Avalos? He’s the new defensive coordinator. I don’t think Joe Gillespie was terrible by any stretch of the imagination. They’re going to run the same scheme but they do have some experience at all three levels,” said McElroy. “I feel pretty good about what they have from an experience standpoint but the inconsistencies, particularly at the linebacker spot, are something that I would be concerned about.”
Sonny Dykes’ debut led to some whiplash as TCU went from three straight seasons of six or less wins to 13 victories before falling back to five again. Even so, McElroy, as well as the odds, do think the Horned Frogs could back into bowl eligibility depending on the answers to some of his concerns about them.
“Vegas anticipates a bounce back season for TCU. Their win-total this year in a new-look Big 12 is at 7.5,” said McElroy. “I think they’re going to be better. Still have questions, though, of whether or not they’ll be within striking distance of the College Football Playoff.”