The 2015 college football season kicks off tonight with the No. 2 TCU Horned Frogs traveling to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers. TCU has dreams of a College Football Playoff berth, while Minnesota wants a Big Ten West title. Both teams want to get their seasons off to a strong start with a victory.
Last Meeting:
TCU won 30-7 in 2014 in Fort Worth, Texas.
TCU Outlook:
TCU has a high-powered offense, led by a Heisman Candidate in QB Trevone Boykin. The offense returns 10 starters this season, and they'll score in bunches. TCU's defense doesn't return as many starters as the offense, but head coach Gary Patterson always seems to have a strong unit. This season shouldn't be any different. TCU is the favorite to win the Big 12 this season.
Minnesota Outlook:
QB Mitch Leidner is back this season, but Minnesota is without it's top two offensive weapons in RB David Cobb and TE Maxx Williams. Both are playing in the NFL. Cobb will be the easiest to replace, as Minnesota will employ a running back-by-committee. The Golden Gophers love to the run the ball and that won't change this season. Williams will be harder to replace. Minnesota's top returning receiver caught only 16 passes last season and there doesn't appear to be an obvious successor waiting in the wings. That will make things harder on the dual-threat Leidner, who only completed 51.5 percent of his passes last season. Minnesota's defense will be without star linebacker Damien Wilson, who is now on the Dallas Cowboys. However, the Golden Gophers have one of the best secondaries in the nation.
What To Watch For: Trevone Boykin vs. Minnesota's Secondary
Boykin threw for 300 yards per game last season, but will face one of his toughest challenges of the season in Minnesota. The Golden Gophers have four seniors in the secondary, led by Briean Boddy-Calhoun. The 5-foot-11 corner picked off five passes last season and broke up nine more. He could be play on Sundays next season. Minnesota allowed just 193 passing yards per game last season, and they should post similar numbers this year.
Prediction: TCU Wins 34-13
It will be close early, but TCU has too good of an offense to be held back the whole game. Minnesota's struggles on offense will be apparent early and it will cost them. Trevone Boykin will struggle a bit in the first half, but will turn things around in second half and guide TCU to a win.
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