TCU Football Win/Loss Prediction: 2022-23
Will the TCU Horned Frogs manage an above .500 season? Or will we see a disappointing outcome for the Horned Frogs football program?
With all of the big contenders in our Big 12 predictions out of the way, we now get to the bottom half of the conference. First up, we have the TCU Horned Frogs who once were a serious contender in the Big 12. The days of TCU playing in Bowl games have been gone since 2018 considering TCU has had losing seasons two of the past three years and three of the past six. Last year, the Horned Frogs finished 5-7 overall and 3-6 in conference play.
Heading into 2022, TCU has a new head coach in Sonny Dykes and two new quarterbacks. There are a lot of question marks surrounding this program and what direction they’re heading in. The Horned Frogs have a chance to make some noise in the Big 12 race but that outcome is a “believe it when I see it” situation. That being said, let’s break down the TCU Horned Frogs 2022 schedule.
Week One, Away Game vs Colorado
TCU would love to start its non-conference schedule at home but that is not the case in 2022. TCU goes on the road to face Colorado to begin the season. While I think TCU is good enough to win this game, it won’t be easy. Having a tough road game to open a season is a worst-case scenario, especially for a TCU team trying to figure out so many roster positions. However, what better way to initiate your new head coach and quarterbacks than a tough road win right? Give me TCU to grind out a tough win on the road in week one.
Score Prediction: TCU 31, Colorado 24
Week Two, Home Game vs Tarleton State
Here is where the non-conference schedule eases up a bit. With local team Tarleton State coming to town, TCU will easily win this one. Being gifted an easy game like this after a tough start to the season will be good for the team morale. The quarterback competition will likely be locked up by then and the Horned Frogs can cruise to a win in week two.
Score Prediction: TCU 42, Tarleton State 14
Week Three, Away Game vs SMU
TCU gets to go back on the road, sort of, in week three against SMU. It might as well be a home game considering SMU is from the next county over. With a return to SMU, Sonny Dykes will want to win this game big time. I think the Horned Frogs will be comfortable enough with their systems to go win this game easily. SMU will hang around for a quarter or two but give me the Horned Frogs to shut down their cross-town rivals in week three.
Score Prediction: TCU 35, SMU 14
Week Four, Home Game vs Oklahoma
Remember how I said it is tough to start a non-conference schedule on the road? Well, it is even worse to start your conference schedule against arguably one of the best teams in the conference. The Sooners come to town in week four and it should worry TCU to the core. However, TCU will be one of the more dynamic offenses that OU faces early in Big 12 play. TCU has a dynamic receiver in Quentin Johnston so this could be a trap game. Unfortunately, OU will be too good on defense to allow an upset, give me OU in a close one.
Week Five, Away Game vs Kansas
After a tough loss to OU, the Horned Frogs are back on the road to take on the Jayhawks in Lawrence. KU is likely going to be bad again in 2022 despite me being generous with their win/loss prediction. However, KU is always good enough to get a conference win or two that shouldn’t happen. This will be a tough one to process but give me the Jayhawks to take down TCU at home. Two losses in a row to begin conference play will be bad for TCU overall.
Week Six, Home Game vs Oklahoma State
The tough start to Big 12 play will sadly continue in week six for TCU. The Horned Frogs are finally back home but it is against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Cowboys will be a serious contender in the Big 12 and that is bad news for TCU. With a new head coach, system, and still mostly fresh QBs, this won’t be a positive outcome for TCU. Oklahoma State will be far too good and TCU will not be ready for them.
Week Seven, Home Game vs Kansas State
TCU’s home stand will continue in week seven with K-State coming to town. K-State presents a solid team heading into 2022 which could be problematic for TCU. However, with TCU losing to KU the week before, they will be quite ticked off by that. That is not good for K-State and I think TCU will grind out a close win over the Wildcats. It helps that this is a home game in Forth Worth and not in Manhattan.
Week Eight, Away Game vs West Virginia
After a two-game homestand, TCU will go back on the road to take on West Virginia. West Virginia is heading for a bad season in 2022. However, a road game in Morgantown will be something to keep an eye on if I’m TCU. The Mountaineers still have some solid players on the defensive line and they added JT Daniels to boost their offense. However, I like TCU to continue building some confidence in their new coach and QBs. Give me the Horned Frogs in a close one that will still feel pretty good morale-wise.
Score Prediction: TCU 34, West Virginia 28
Week Nine, Home Game vs Texas Tech
In week nine, the Red Raiders come to town for a late-season home game for TCU. Tech is also facing a rebuilding period for the program. With two programs rebuilding and finding solidarity in their systems, this will be a dog fight of a game. I see a low-scoring, defensive grinder of a game that will wear out both teams. However, in the end, I think Tech will come to town and beat TCU and end their winning streak. This will be a tough game to lose especially this late in the year, another tough loss for TCU.
Score Prediction: Texas Tech 21, TCU 17
Week Ten, Away Game vs Texas
The final three games of the 2022 season might be the worst stretch for TCU. It begins with an away game versus Texas. The Longhorns are primed for either a really good season or coming up short by one or two games. However, TCU will be challenged by a dynamic Texas offense. TCU will need to stay active on the offensive side of the ball to keep in this game. That is possible but I still see Texas pulling away and winning the game late. Texas will have too many big plays and once again break TCU’s heart.
Week Eleven, Away Game vs Baylor
The next game will be even worse than week ten as TCU continues traveling through Texas to take on Baylor in Waco. Baylor is the Big 12 favorite to repeat as champions so do not expect fireworks from TCU. Baylor will be looking to close out winning another Big 12 title and TCU will not be an obstacle Baylor has trouble with. Give me the defending champs to outplay TCU in every category of the game.
Week Twelve, Home Game vs Iowa State
To close out their 2022 season, TCU ends the year at home against Iowa State. While TCU’s hopes in the Big 12 are long gone by this point, so will Iowa State. This will not be a pretty game to watch as both teams will have nothing to compete for besides pride. However, I think TCU will want to end their tough season with one final win at home. Give me the Horned Frogs to outlast the Cyclones and win in a close one.
Score Prediction: TCU 24, ISU 17
Final Record For TCU Football In 2022: 6-6 (3-6)
The 2022 season is essentially one big road trip around the state of Texas for TCU. With that many road games, it will be tough for them to compete. They need to figure out their compatibility with Sonny Dykes, the QB competition needs to get figured out, and their new systems have to be set in stone. With so many question marks, ending the season at .500 would be ideal for a rebuilding TCU program.
Which Big 12 team will improve the most in 2022? Comment below and join the discussion!
Check out the rest of the conference’s predictions here!