Texas Longhorns

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Early TCU preview

Updated: August 10, 2012, 10:54 AM ET
By Carter Strickland | HornsNation

Editor's note: HornsNation will count down to the start of fall camp by taking an in-depth look at each team Texas will face in 2012.

The rundown

Record in 2011: 11-2 Last time vs. Texas: No. 7 Texas beat No. 19 TCU 34-13 in 2007 All-time vs. Texas: 20-61-1

Key losses: Tank Carder, LB; Robert Deck, OT; Kyle Dooley, OG; Antoine Hicks, WR; Jeff Olson, OL; Logan Brock, TE, Johnny Fobbs, S; Tekerrein Cuba, S; Ed Wesley, RB.

Top returners: Kenny Cain, LB; Ross Forrest, DE; David Johnson, DT; Stansly Maponga, DE; Jason Verrett, CB; Josh Boyce, WR; Skye Dawson, WR; Blaize Foltz, OG; James Fry, C; Casey Pachall, QB.

Statistical leaders

Passing: Casey Pachall 228 of 343 for 2,921 yards, seven interceptions and 25 touchdowns

Rushing: Waymon James: 121 rushes for 875 yards and six touchdowns

Receiving: Josh Boyce, 61 catches for 998 yards and nine touchdowns

Tackles: Kenny Cain (72)

Sacks: Stansly Maponga (9)

Interceptions: Ross Forrest (2)

Did you know: The Horned Frogs 77-13 record since 2005 is second best in the nation. Boise State is No. 1 on the list. Texas is No. 5.

Three things to watch

Balanced attack: The Horned Frogs were the only team in the country to have three rushers run for more than 700 yards each last season. In fact, they are the only team in the country that has had three 500-plus yard rushers in each of the last three seasons. Losing Ed Wesley will hurt but TCU has been able to plug backs in and keep moving.

Accuracy counts: Quarterback Casey Pachall has proven himself to be one of the most accurate passers in FBS. The junior only threw seven interceptions on 343 attempts last year. He broke several of Andy Dalton's records at TCU. In 2011, Pachall set the record for most completions (228), completion percentage (66.5) and yards (2,921).

Talent drain: TCU lost eight players in the offseason it was not expecting to lose. Four of those were due to a sweeping drug raid on campus. But another four left the team for various reasons. Two of the biggest names to leave were running back Ed Wesley and linebacker Deryck Gildon. Both were projected to be starters.

Carter Strickland | email

Reporter, HornsNation
  • Reporter for HornsNation
  • Covers Texas Longhorns sports and recruiting
  • Joined ESPN in 2011

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