Defense, special teams give TCU the edge Scouts, Inc.
TCU could show some rust after its 49-day layoff, but the key to the EV1.net Houston Bowl will be Iowa State's ability to match the Horned Frogs' dominant line play.
Iowa State Offense vs. TCU Defense
Sophomore QB Bret Meyer has progressed rapidly throughout the season, has an impressive grasp of the offense and is making few mistakes. He's displayed a cool, calm demeanor while averaging 238.4 yards per game through the air and posting a 16/8 TD/INT ratio. Meyer will look regularly to WR Todd Blythe, a big play receiver that is an excellent red-zone weapon with great height and the ability to go up and get the football in the air. Blythe will battle the TCU's 6-foot-1 DB Quincy Butler, who led the Mountain West with five interceptions.
The Cyclones don't possess the daunting run offense of previous ISU teams, but RB Stevie Hicks will get plenty of carries in an effort to control the clock and keep the Horned Frogs' offense on the sidelines.
The Cyclones allowed more sacks (34) than any other Big 12 team and are going to be challenged by DE Chase Ortiz, the Mountain West sack leader. OT Aaron Brant will draw the assignment of slowing down Ortiz, but will need help from a running back or tight end on throwing downs. Brant has very good size for the position, but could struggle to protect the edge in this matchup. On the other side of Ortiz is DE Tommy Blake, a fantastic young two way player that is capable of wreaking havoc on the Cyclones outside running game and pressuring Meyer consistently. Keeping both defensive ends bottled up will be quit a chore.
Iowa State's ability to run the football to stay out of third and long situations will determine how successful it will be on offense. The Horned Frogs allow their opponents to convert on third downs just 32 percent of the time and excel in nearly every defensive category, especially causing turnovers and getting to the quarterback. Once opponents become one dimensional, TCU's defense smells blood and creates big plays.
TCU Offense vs. Iowa State Defense
QB Jeff Ballard replaced Tye Gunn in the second half of TCU's win over BYU. He is a weapon with both his arm and his legs. He doesn't force the football and rarely turns it over.
The Horned Frogs have an outstanding offensive line that opens gaping holes for RBs Robert Merrill and freshman Aaron Brown. Brown is a true talent with outstanding speed and the ability to take it the distance every time he touches the ball. The TCU line is tough, well coached and athletic at every position. They are equaled adept as run blockers and keeping Ballard secure in the pocket.
Ballard will look to get the ball into the hands of his explosive WR Cory Rodgers, who leads the Horned Frogs with 48 catches and is excellent with the ball in his hands.
Iowa State's defense has improved quite a bit since last year and are allowing only 18.2 points per game and has become quite sound against the run, allowing only 99.7 rushing yards per game -- a major improvement over last season. DT Nick Leaders is a tough playmaker on the inside and must hold up against this outstanding offensive line to slow the Horned Frogs running attack.
Special Teams
TCU's Rodgers is worth the price of admission, especially in the return game, where he averages a whopping 31.7 yards per kickoff return and has taken two for scores. He is capable of changing this game. Fine sophomore kicker Chris Manfredini gives the Horned Frogs the advantage if this evenly matched battle comes down to the kicking game late in the contest. The Cyclones are very well coached on all facets of their special teams and rarely make mental errors or take costly penalties, but they lack a dynamic playmaker like Rodgers.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Iowa State WR Todd Blythe vs. TCU CB Quincy Butler
2. TCU interior OL vs. Iowa State DT Nick Leaders
3. Iowa State OT Aaron Brant vs. TCU DE Chase Ortiz
Scouts' Edge
Iowa State reeled off four consecutive wins in the second half of the regular season but failed to capitalize on the momentum by losing to Kansas, which kept it out of the Big 12 championship game. It's also important to note that three of the Cyclones four losses went to overtime. TCU, on the other hand, has won nine straight games under coach Gary Patterson, who has done an exceptional job of building an this program. Many of his top players are from the Houston area, which will only add to the excitement of this game for the Horned Frogs. Both teams are well coached, have sound fundamentals and are physical on defense. Expect a close, relatively low-scoring contest. The Horned Frogs are coming off a massive 49-day layoff since their last game. There is sure to be some rust early in this contest, but look for TCU to shake it off quickly and get the better of Iowa State in the end.
Prediction: TCU 27, Iowa State 23
TCU could show some rust after its 49-day layoff, but the key to the EV1.net Houston Bowl will be Iowa State's ability to match the Horned Frogs' dominant line play.
Iowa State Offense vs. TCU Defense
Sophomore QB Bret Meyer has progressed rapidly throughout the season, has an impressive grasp of the offense and is making few mistakes. He's displayed a cool, calm demeanor while averaging 238.4 yards per game through the air and posting a 16/8 TD/INT ratio. Meyer will look regularly to WR Todd Blythe, a big play receiver that is an excellent red-zone weapon with great height and the ability to go up and get the football in the air. Blythe will battle the TCU's 6-foot-1 DB Quincy Butler, who led the Mountain West with five interceptions.
The Cyclones don't possess the daunting run offense of previous ISU teams, but RB Stevie Hicks will get plenty of carries in an effort to control the clock and keep the Horned Frogs' offense on the sidelines.
The Cyclones allowed more sacks (34) than any other Big 12 team and are going to be challenged by DE Chase Ortiz, the Mountain West sack leader. OT Aaron Brant will draw the assignment of slowing down Ortiz, but will need help from a running back or tight end on throwing downs. Brant has very good size for the position, but could struggle to protect the edge in this matchup. On the other side of Ortiz is DE Tommy Blake, a fantastic young two way player that is capable of wreaking havoc on the Cyclones outside running game and pressuring Meyer consistently. Keeping both defensive ends bottled up will be quit a chore.
Iowa State's ability to run the football to stay out of third and long situations will determine how successful it will be on offense. The Horned Frogs allow their opponents to convert on third downs just 32 percent of the time and excel in nearly every defensive category, especially causing turnovers and getting to the quarterback. Once opponents become one dimensional, TCU's defense smells blood and creates big plays.
TCU Offense vs. Iowa State Defense
QB Jeff Ballard replaced Tye Gunn in the second half of TCU's win over BYU. He is a weapon with both his arm and his legs. He doesn't force the football and rarely turns it over.
The Horned Frogs have an outstanding offensive line that opens gaping holes for RBs Robert Merrill and freshman Aaron Brown. Brown is a true talent with outstanding speed and the ability to take it the distance every time he touches the ball. The TCU line is tough, well coached and athletic at every position. They are equaled adept as run blockers and keeping Ballard secure in the pocket.
Ballard will look to get the ball into the hands of his explosive WR Cory Rodgers, who leads the Horned Frogs with 48 catches and is excellent with the ball in his hands.
Iowa State's defense has improved quite a bit since last year and are allowing only 18.2 points per game and has become quite sound against the run, allowing only 99.7 rushing yards per game -- a major improvement over last season. DT Nick Leaders is a tough playmaker on the inside and must hold up against this outstanding offensive line to slow the Horned Frogs running attack.
Special Teams
TCU's Rodgers is worth the price of admission, especially in the return game, where he averages a whopping 31.7 yards per kickoff return and has taken two for scores. He is capable of changing this game. Fine sophomore kicker Chris Manfredini gives the Horned Frogs the advantage if this evenly matched battle comes down to the kicking game late in the contest. The Cyclones are very well coached on all facets of their special teams and rarely make mental errors or take costly penalties, but they lack a dynamic playmaker like Rodgers.
Three Key Individual Matchups
1. Iowa State WR Todd Blythe vs. TCU CB Quincy Butler
2. TCU interior OL vs. Iowa State DT Nick Leaders
3. Iowa State OT Aaron Brant vs. TCU DE Chase Ortiz
Scouts' Edge
Iowa State reeled off four consecutive wins in the second half of the regular season but failed to capitalize on the momentum by losing to Kansas, which kept it out of the Big 12 championship game. It's also important to note that three of the Cyclones four losses went to overtime. TCU, on the other hand, has won nine straight games under coach Gary Patterson, who has done an exceptional job of building an this program. Many of his top players are from the Houston area, which will only add to the excitement of this game for the Horned Frogs. Both teams are well coached, have sound fundamentals and are physical on defense. Expect a close, relatively low-scoring contest. The Horned Frogs are coming off a massive 49-day layoff since their last game. There is sure to be some rust early in this contest, but look for TCU to shake it off quickly and get the better of Iowa State in the end.
Prediction: TCU 27, Iowa State 23
