PurpleMenace.com - Instant Analysis: TCU 20, Virginia 7

September 22, 2012

Billy Wessels
Assistant Editor

TCU is 3-0 on the season after a 27-7 victory against Virginia. But just like the week before, there were plenty of issues.

TCU turned the ball over twice in the red zone and committed 12 penalties for 103 yards.
The offense was sparked by the highlight real grabs of Brandon Carter, who led the team with five grabs for 128 yards and a touchdown.

The Horned Frog defense did a great job of not breaking as it didn't allow its first touchdown of the season until late in the fourth quarter and allowed Virginia to complete just three of 15 third down attempts.
WHY TCU WON:

TCU's offense and defense did just enough to constantly stay two or three scores ahead of the Cavaliers.

Carter had is second straight stellar game. He started the scoring with a one-handed, 68-yard touchdown in the first quarter that tou will see on Sportscenter's Top 10 for the rest of the week.

Kenny Cain had a career day and likely locked up Big 12 defensive player of the week with two interceptions and a fumble recovery to stop Virginia drives.

WHAT WE LEARNED:

TCU needs to be more disciplined. The two turnovers in the red zone shouldn't have happened. Pachall should have just thrown the ball away on his interception at the two-yard line and Skye Dawson should have done a better job protecting the ball when he fumbled through the end zone.

They also need to cut back on the penalties. This is a factor of a young team more than anything, but you can't win Big 12 games with 12 penalties for 103 yards.

TCU does now know that it has a solid kicker. Jaden Oberkrom is solid from inside 50 yards as he nailed a 47- and a 46-yarder. Both would have been good from at least 53.

The defense is good enough to stop teams non-Big 12 teams, but powerful offenses like Oklahoma and Texas won't have much problem slicing up this youthful group as Virginia gained 353 yards of offense.

When they aren't turning the ball over or shooting itself in the foot, TCU's offense is pretty good. The Horned Frogs gained 438 yards of offense, 305 through the air from Pachall.

This team may miss Waymon James more than expected. Matthew Tucker finished with 52 yards on 15 carries, but 22 of those yards came on two rushes in the third quarter.

TOP TCU PERFORMERS:

Carter was by far the team's MVP with two one-handed grabs and the score.

Cain with three turnovers was enough to stall Virginia enough for TCU to win.

Pachall threw for three touchdowns and 305 yards so those numbers look great, but the bad interception and the fact that he took several big hits kept his day from being great.

WHAT THIS MEANS?

TCU is still undefeated on the season, but has plenty of room to grow. If that happens sooner rather than later, this could be a contending team.

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