The Big 12 has locked in the start time and TV window for TCU’s next home test.
The Horned Frogs will face West Virginia on Oct. 24 at 11 a.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium, with the game airing on ESPN2. TCU enters at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big 12, while the Mountaineers are 3-3 and still looking for their first conference win at 0-3.
It’s been a rough start for both teams, and that’s why this matchup lands at the bottom of the league picture for now. TCU’s revamped offense and quarterback have had trouble getting much going against Power Four opponents. West Virginia, though, brings a dangerous attack of its own, one that features a very familiar face in former TCU running back Cam Cook and Oklahoma transfer quarterback Michael Hawkins.
Cook’s return to Fort Worth is a big subplot all by itself. After leaving the program following the 2024 season, he’s now third in the country with 793 rushing yards, and he should have no shortage of motivation when he steps back onto TCU’s field. That makes the battle between Cook and the Horned Frogs’ run defense one of the main things to watch.
West Virginia’s offense can put pressure on anyone, but its defense has made life hard on the Mountaineers. The unit ranks 124th out of 138 FBS teams in scoring defense, giving up 32.7 points per game. Teams have been able to move the ball against the Mountaineers, which leaves one big question hanging over this game: can TCU’s struggling offense take advantage?
For both teams, Big 12 hopes are probably fading fast. Still, the stakes aren’t gone. The winner gets a little closer to bowl eligibility, while the loser faces a steeper climb.
Sonny Dykes has handled West Virginia well during his time at TCU, going 2-1 against the Mountaineers. That includes last year’s 23-17 win in Morgantown.
In Other News...
TCU Has One Chance To Reset Before Baylor Changes Everything
TCU is trying to keep the mood upbeat after its loss to BYU, even with the result making the road ahead much trickier in the Big 12 race. The Horned Frogs are treating this week as a reset point, leaning on a defense that has given them a chance to stay in games while the offense works to find more consistency before the matchup with Baylor.
Senior players KaMorreun Pimpton and Hudson Hooper both sounded confident that the group can respond and close the season in a better place than it started this stretch. The challenge now is turning that optimism into cleaner execution, because the margin for error is shrinking and Baylor is waiting at a point in the schedule where one more slip can change the conversation quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Heads Into TCU With Momentum And One Big Question
As Baylor heads into the week off before seeing TCU, Dave Aranda made it clear the Bears still see room to grow even after the recent stretch that has built some momentum. During his weekly media availability, Aranda focused on the teams ongoing improvement, stressing the value of using the bye week well while keeping the current rhythm intact and continuing to sharpen the details that matter in conference play.
Aranda also touched on the health of key pieces, noting encouraging signs up front and better movement from quarterback DJ Lagway. Those updates matter in a matchup like this, where protection and mobility can shape everything Baylor wants to do, but the biggest question now is how much of that progress carries over once the Bears return to action against the Horned Frogs. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Faces A Rivalry Threat That Could Hit Big 12 Hopes Hard
Baylors trip to face TCU carries more weight than a typical rivalry game, even with the Bears installed as the favorite. The matchup has the feel of a measuring stick for both programs, with Baylor trying to keep its Big 12 position intact and TCU leaning on the kind of defensive edge that can make a favorite uncomfortable on the road.
For the Horned Frogs, the stakes are obvious even without much room for error in league play, and that is part of what makes this one so intriguing. Baylor can ill afford a slip if it wants to stay in the title conversation, while TCU has enough on its side to make this a game that could turn quickly if the Bears are forced into a tight fourth-quarter fight. [Read more 🡒]