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The TCU Horned Frogs and Stanford Cardinal square off on Friday night in college football non conference action. This game is slated to kickoff at 7:30pm PT from Stanford Stadium. The last time these two teams played was back in 2017, when the Horned Frogs won a thrilling game 39-37 on December 28th.
TCU is coming off a 5-7 season a year ago. The Horned Frogs had a chance to head to a bowl game, but allowed 69 points in the season finale against Oklahoma.
The Stanford Cardinal also finished their season with a loss in 2023. Stanford lost 56-23 to Notre Dame at home. The loss sent Stanford to 3-9 on the season. It was the final season for the Cardinal in the Pac-12, as they are now part of the ACC.
TCU is favored to win this game, but Stanford is likely not going to back down. Below are five key things to watch for in this matchup.
1
Will Troy Taylor finid the winning game plan?
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56-year-old Troy Taylor has a history of winning as a head coach. He is 32-11 in his career, but his first year was not deemed a success. After coming over from Sacramento State, an adjustment to big-time college football and the players he gets is huge. Taylor will need to put together a solid game plan that wins ball control, and keeps tempo in their favor in order to upset the Horned Frogs.
2
Can Ashton Daniels stay on his feet?
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Ashton Daniels, who is projected as the starting quarterback for Stanford, threw for over 2,220 yards a season ago. He was also the second-best rusher for the Cardinal with nearly 300 yards. But, Daniels was on his backside far more than he needed to be. The signal caller was sacked 27 times. Overall, Stanford was sacked 41 times. That must change in 2024. Can the offensive line protect long enough in this one?
3
Can Josh Hoover take care of the football?
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Josh Hoover threw nine interceptions a season ago. On the season, TCU tossed 15 interceptions and was sacked 19 times. Hoover has the talent. He finished with 15 touchdown passes after being in and out of the lineup with Chandler Morris. Hoover will need to take care of the football and do so on the road for the Horned Frogs to win.
4
Will the Horned Frogs be able to handle Palo Alto?
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TCU did not schedule a complete cupcake in Week 1. Stanford at least is a power program and has had some winning success in the past. Going on the road is not going to be an easy task as well. Last season the Horned Frogs won their first road game, but then lost their final four away from home. In those four games, they allowed 43 points per game. That will need to be better to win on Friday!
5
Can the Horned Frogs offense mesh with four transfers?
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Sonny Dykes needed some help, and that’s what he tried to do adding four new starters to the offense. Three of their top reserves are transfers as well. Tight end Drake Dabney expects to be a difference-maker in the passing attack. He spent four seasons with the Baylor Bears, so his familiarity with the league will be second to none. James Brockermeyer should also be a huge difference-maker up front protecting the quarterback.
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/tcu-horned-frogs-stanford-cardinal-football-big-12-acc/