The Horned Frogs
TCU at Colorado State Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
For the record: TCU (5-1, 2-0 MWC), CSU (2-2, 1-0)
Streaking: With a 41-7 rout over hapless San Diego State, TCU is 46-0 under Gary Patterson when holding an opponent to 17 or fewer points.
Who’s hot: The defense, especially against the run. The Horned Frogs lead the nation in rushing defense, yielding just 22.3 yards a game and three TDs. Thanks to four sacks for 28 yards in losses, San Diego State finished with a net minus-13 yards. Linebacker Jason Phillips is considered the defensive leader. By comparison, UNLV which gave up 191 yards to CSU’s Gartrell Johnson, who ranks 109th in rushing defense.
Who’s not: Starting QB Andy Dalton, who sat out with a knee injury, hasn’t thrown a TD pass this season.
Key stat: Four of TCU’s six opponents have been held under 200 yards.
FYI: TCU has won all three meetings against the Rams since joining the MWC. . . . The 5-1 start is TCU’s best in five years. . . . Backup QB Marcus Jackson, who ran for 131 yards against San Diego State, ran and passed for three TDs against the Rams a year ago.
Injury report: CSU S Klint Kubiak will be evaluated for a low ankle sprain. X-rays proved negative. Dalton, who injured his knee against Oklahoma, was listed as available against San Diego State but wasn’t needed.
Coachspeak: “TCU is one of the elite programs in the league. They are what we were in the ’90s” — CSU coach Steve Fairchild
Natalie Meisler, The Denver Post
