TCU’s 31-7 win over Arkansas State gave the Horned Frogs a clean result, but not a clean bill of health heading into Big 12 play. The final non-conference tune-up brought a few encouraging signs, a few lingering concerns, and a reminder that this team still has some sorting out to do before conference games start to matter more.
The biggest puzzle remains the offense. Jaden Craig put up strong numbers again, going 21 for 27 for 337 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, but the performance still came with some rough edges.
The interception was a bad one: he stared down the receiver on a deep ball, threw into contested coverage, and the defender jumped the route for an easy pick. There were also moments when he missed open receivers, not because the throws were off, but because he didn’t seem to see the full field.
Even with that, Craig has shown flashes of looking more comfortable and more in command. The issue is that the unit as a whole still hasn’t quite reached the point where it’s clicking the way it needs to with conference play approaching.
Part of that comes back to the offensive line. The group wasn’t at its best against Arkansas State and is still working through the rotation. TCU averaged 3.4 yards per carry and had stretches that looked fine, but the Frogs still haven’t really taken control up front or consistently imposed their will on anyone.
There is reason to think the offense could take another step soon. Head coach Sonny Dykes said after the game that he expects Jordan Dwyer to play against UCF next weekend. With him back, along with the emergence of Small and the continued role of the tight ends, there’s a path for this offense to become a lot more dangerous.
Defensively, the return of safety Jamel Johnson from injury made a noticeable difference. The secondary looked cleaner with him on the field, and there were fewer communication mistakes. The only major coverage breakdown came on the Red Wolves’ lone touchdown of the day.
The more pressing issue on that side is the pass rush. TCU’s defensive front has had trouble getting home, and while Arkansas State’s offensive line is a decent one, this is still a spot where the Frogs should be creating more havoc.
For now, though, the secondary has held up well enough.
Another positive trend for TCU has been discipline. That was a problem early in the season, and it had the feel of another year of empty promises to clean it up.
But after getting through the entire first half last week without a penalty, the Frogs followed that up by limiting the damage against Arkansas State. They were flagged twice right at the start, but only picked up one more penalty the rest of the game, and that one came on special teams.
The coaching staff made it clear that cleaning up that area was a priority, and over the last two weeks, it has at least started to look that way.
In Other News...
TCU Is Pushing For A Texas Prospect Fans Should Watch
Tyce Payne has become a name worth tracking for TCU as the Horned Frogs continue building relationships with one of Texas more intriguing high school prospects. The Vernon standout already has 11 scholarship offers, and TCU is firmly in the mix after putting in the work with Payne and his camp as the recruiting cycle moves forward.
Payne is not rushing the process, which leaves TCU waiting along with several other programs. He has said he is seriously considering the Horned Frogs, but his decision is still on the spring timeline, and he is also dealing with a minor injury while focusing on sharpening his game before college football enters the picture. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Just Got The Encouraging Tune-Up Fans Needed Before Big 12 Play
TCU got the kind of non-conference tune-up it needed before Big 12 play, handling Arkansas State 31-7 at Amon G. Carter Stadium behind a sharp afternoon from senior quarterback Jaden Craig. He threw for 337 yards and three touchdowns, completed more than 70% of his passes and helped the Horned Frogs show real growth in their offensive timing and receiver play, with sophomore Ed Small among the notable contributors.
Just as important for TCU, the defense settled in and shut out Arkansas State in the second half, turning what had been a competitive game into a more comfortable finish. For a team trying to build momentum entering league play, it was the kind of clean, encouraging performance that suggested the pieces are starting to fit, even if the bigger tests are still ahead. [Read more 🡒]
TCU Gets A Bigger Test Than Fans Might Expect Saturday
TCU gets its second home game of the season Saturday after handling Grambling State and now turns to an Arkansas State team that arrives with a 1-1 record and enough offense to make this more than a routine tune-up. For the Horned Frogs, the focus is not just on carrying over the momentum from last week, but on showing the kind of consistency that matters once the schedule starts asking a little more.
There is also some roster management to sort through as the Frogs prepare for kickoff. Jordan Dwyer and Zachary Chapman are expected to miss the game, while Jamel Johnson is anticipated to return, leaving TCU with a familiar early-season balancing act between depth, health and performance. Arkansas State may not grab the same attention as a power-conference opponent, but it has the kind of capable offense that can quickly expose loose tackling or slow starts. [Read more 🡒]