TCU is the Best Team in NCAA Football: 2015 National Champions?

Jul 31, 2015

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TCU head coach Gary Patterson is one of the best minds in college football as he has guided the Horned Frogs to nine double-digit win seasons during his fifteen year tenure in Fort Worth.  While TCU just missed out on making the playoffs last year, the Horned Frogs enter the 2015-2016 campaign as arguably the best team in the nation.

TCU’s success this season begins on the offensive side of the ball where offensive coordinators Doug Meachem and Sonny Cumbie are in the second year of implementing their spread offense.  TCU’s prolific attack is led by Heisman Trophy hopeful Trevone Boykin, who adapted well to the new offense by throwing for 3,901 yards (61.2%; 33-10).

TCU’s depth at quarterback is exceptional as Patterson specifically recruited Foster Sawyer and Grayson Muehlstein for the spread attack in the event Boykin gets injured.  The backfield is anchored by Nebraska transfer Aaron Green, a senior who led the team with 922 rushing yards at 7.1 yards per carry.  While TCU loses BJ Catalon, the Horned Frogs possess a deep backfield with plenty of talent.

Boykin is the beneficiary of one of the best wide receiving corps. in the country behind Josh Doctson, Deante Gray and Kolby Listenbee.  Doctson led the team with 1,018 receiving yards (15.7) despite missing time due to injuries, while Listenbee is one the fastest football players on the planet (ran a 10.1 100 meter dash, which was the fastest time ever recorded by a collegiate football player).

The Horned Frogs also return 98 career starts along an offensive line that paved the way for 207 rushing yards per game at 5.3 yards per rush attempt.  Similarly, TCU possesses an outstanding defensive line that yielded just 2.8 yards per rush attempt last year.  Indeed, eight of its top nine defensive linemen return, including senior defensive end James McFarland.

TCU’s secondary is also one of the team’s strengths, but the Horned Frogs’ linebacking unit remains the biggest question mark for defensive coordinator’s DeMontie Cross and Chad Glasgow.  Finally, head coach Gary Patterson always emphasizes the importance of special teams, and he once again fields an elite unit in 2015.  Interestingly, TCU has returned either a kickoff or punt return for a touchdown in seven of the last 8 seasons!

With fifteen returning starters, including ten on offense, the Horned Frogs could legitimately make the argument that they are the best team in college football.