TCU football is currently listed at betting odds of 20 to 1 to win the Big 12 conference in 2019. That places them in the middle of the pack if we use the odds as reference.
Unsurprisingly, TCU fell off last season with a new quarterback and subpar offense. Its defense led the way most of the season to seven wins, including the 10-7 result over Cal in the Cheez-It Bowl.
The Offense Will be Better
If your considering betting on TCU’s season win total over 6.5, the Horned Frogs offense looks to be in good shape and should add another win or two.
The Horned Frogs should have more talent offensively to surpass the 23.5 points per game scored last year. That starts at quarterback where Kansas State grad transfer Alex Delton will compete with freshman Justin Rogers and returnee Michael Collins throughout the season.
Rogers is likely the QB of the future, but he wasn’t healthy in the spring. If Delton gets the call, he’s a run-first QB that could thrive behind an offensive line that returns four starters.
Sewo Olonilua (635 yards) and Darius Anderson (598 yards) join him in the backfield, a nice one-two punch when healthy. Playmaker Jalen Reagor (1,061 yards, 9 TDs) is still around with Taye Barber and a few others stepping into bigger roles at receiver.
It’s hard to see this offense being worse and that’s the biggest thing going into 2019 because the defense could take a step back after leading the Big 12 with 344 yards allowed per game, in addition to only 24.4 points.
TCU Defense Always Tough
TCU’s top sack masters are gone from the edges to go with the majority of linebackers and leading tacklers. That’s not a recipe for success, but Gary Patterson usually has defensive talent in waiting.
Ochaun Mathis could be the next stud on the end after a solid spring, while the interior has depth led by Corey Bethley and Ross Blacklock.
Linebacker could have a depth issue all season with Garret Wallow the only returning starter and the other expected starters missing most of spring practices.
To help, the secondary may be the most experienced unit on the defense, which should be handy in the Big 12. Jeff Gladney and Julius Lewis lead the way at cornerback, while safety has a couple seniors, but some upcoming underclassmen, as well.
This all comes from a group that didn’t allow a passing touchdown in the final three games of 2018.
TCU Betting Tip – Bet OVER 6.5 Wins for 2019
TCU will likely still have some issues offensively and that could be a problem for the early trip to Purdue, who has turned into a relevant team the last couple years. A win there would be nice and could lead to seven regular season wins, one more than a year ago.
The problem is the five road games in the Big 12, which makes things a tad harder for a new QB. As a reminder, TCU lost at Kansas last year, so nothing is guaranteed for this team.
Seven wins are a good bet with anything more likely being because the new quarterback surpassed expectations.
The defense should remain one of the best in the conference, but with questions at QB, that will likely hold the Frogs back from winning nine and competing near the top of the conference.
TCU hosts Kansas on 9/28/19 – Jayhawks 2019 Football Preview
2019 TCU Horned Frogs Football Schedule
Aug. 31 vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Sept. 14 at Purdue
Sept. 21 vs. SMU
Sept. 28 vs. Kansas
Oct. 5 at Iowa State (opened +3.5)
Oct. 19 at Kansas State
Oct. 26 vs. Texas
Nov. 2 at Oklahoma State
Nov. 9 vs. Baylor
Nov. 16 at Texas Tech
Nov. 23 at Oklahoma
Nov. 29 vs. West Virginia