Behind Enemy Lines: TCU

WVSports.com goes Behind Enemy Lines for some in-depth insight on TCU and what to expect from the Horned Frogs Saturday from PurpleMenace.com publisher Billy Wessels.

1. TCU is replacing Trevone Boykin with one time Texas A&M quarterback Kenny Hill. How has that gone so far and what have you seen out of him both positive and negative in that role?

Positively, he gives TCU a chance to score each drive. Negatively, he’s thrown at least one interception a game and hasn’t quite found his perfect groove yet. He’s starting to get his timing down with some receivers, but too many times he’s left too much air or too little air on a ball and put his wide outs in danger. He’s been dangerous with his legs more consistently than with his arm, so its must watch TV whenever TCU has the ball because you just never know what’s going to happen.

2. When TCU has the ball what do they want to do offensively? Who are the players to watch?

They want to throw it. A lot. The offense is trying to become more balanced and running back Kyle Hicks has been the best player TCU has had all season so far so the more they can get him involved, the better. At wide out, Taj Williams has been really jekyl and hyde with two monster games and four games where he’s been absent. John Diarse has been pretty steady and Jaelan Austin has scored in three straight games.

3. Under Gary Patterson, TCU has been known for defense. What is this year's unit like? How will they attack offenses and who are the key players to watch?

This has been one of the most lackluster units in the GP era. They are undersized and haven’t been able to make up for it with the speed we are used to seeing. Half the starting defense missed most, if not all, of last season due to injuries or are seeing their first collegiate action. They have talent, it’s just taking a while to see it. Ty Summers is among the best in the nation at tackling and safeties Niko Small and Nick Orr are playing great right now. That duo has combined for four interceptions the last three weeks.

4. Any major injuries of suspensions of note? How is this game looked at by the TCU players and fans given the close nature of almost every match up in this series?

There is definitely a ton of respect for WVU here and every contest has been a classic one. This is shaping up to be another good one and WVU is playing far better than most expected so the Frogs should be looking at it as a major test. As far as injuries, TCU will likely be without starting wide out and returnman KaVontae Turpin and starting center Austin Schlottmann. Those have been the biggest losses the last two weeks.

5. What are your keys to this game for TCU to pull off a third straight win in Morgantown? And how do you see this playing out?

TCU has to be able to slow down West Virginia. They haven’t been able to do that against anybody other than Kansas this year, but an extra week to rest and prepare should help. WVU is also coming off its first, and longest, road trip of the season so that may help TCU even more. The Frogs are going to be in every single game this year even if they don’t have the talent as usual so this will be a close one. I do honestly think the Mountaineers will break the curse TCU has over them in Morgantown, but its going to come down to who makes less mistakes in the fourth quarter.