Analyzing TCUs 2016 schedule
After a brutal, back loaded schedule in 2015, next year's slate looks more favorable for TCU.
The Big 12 released its conference schedule Tuesday. Every team in the conference now has a better idea of how 2016 will look, including TCU.
Here are a few quick observations on the Horned Frogs' schedule:
1. Staying Home
TCU will start 2016 with three straight home games. The Frogs open the season Sep. 3 against South Dakota State, and then they host Arkansas before opening conference play against Iowa State Sep. 17.
Getting three games in Amon G. Carter Stadium to start the year plays in the Frogs' favor as they try to break in an offense that will feature a lot of new faces. TCU will lose quarterback Trevone Boykin, wide receiver Josh Doctson and four other senior starters on offense after this season. Talented players like Kenny Hill and Emanuel Porter are in place to fill those voids, but there will be a transition period.
Opening the year with three games at home, plus another game at SMU where they don't leave the Metroplex, gives them a chance to work out a lot of their problems before they deal with their first real test of the season, a showdown with Oklahoma at the start of October.
2. Good Byes
The Frogs get two open dates during their conference schedule. That's a nice deal, especially considering three Big 12 teams (Kansas, Texas and Texas Tech) don't get any.
The open dates come before two of TCU's toughest games. TCU will have an extra week to prepare for a road game against West Virginia, which boasts one of the best home-field advantages in the conference. The Frogs get another open date before getting Oklahoma State at home.
The Cowboys figure to be one of the contenders in the Big 12 once again, so getting two weeks to rest and get ready for that game will favor the Frogs. The Pokes will not get the same opportunity, hosting Texas Tech the week before they play the Frogs.
3. Thanksgiving in Austin
TCU will go on the road to play Texas on Thanksgiving for the third time in five years. This time, however, the Frogs will not have the benefit of extra preparation time like in years past. They will have to turn around after a game against Oklahoma State and immediately face the Longhorns on a short week. Texas will be dealing with the same issue as it comes off a road game against Kansas.
4. Balanced, Not Back Loaded
Unlike 2015 when the Big 12 put its top teams through the gauntlet in November, TCU gets a few opportunities to impress before Halloween. The Frogs host the Razorbacks in week two, a non-conference game against an SEC opponent that will draw national attention. They get the Sooners, who will probably open the season as the conference favorite, two weeks later. Then they'll have their matchup with the Mountaineers in Morgantown.
The Frogs will have a couple of opportunities to make statements late as well. They face Baylor on the road Nov. 5. Then they will host Oklahoma State Nov. 19. In 2014, TCU's most difficult obstacles were done midway through October. This year, they started 8-0 but had not faced a team that was ranked heading into November. The schedule, at least this far out, appears to give the Frogs a steadier stream of chances to impress.