SeniorFrog
Active Member
http://www.texasfootball.com/college-news/view/180239
By Jake Shaw
TexasFootball.com
> Best defensive back: Jason Verrett, TCU
A quick word: As the saying goes, numbers don't lie, and Verrett's numbers are among the best in the country: 6 INTs, the third-most in the country; 20 passes defended, the second-best national number; and 51 tackles, of which 40 were solo, showing that when Verrett met up with a ball carrier, he typically won that battle.
What I said at midseason: Cody Davis, Texas Tech; The best defense in Texas resides (for now) in Lubbock, and Davis is the Red Raiders' most consistent player, leading the team in tackles (45) and interceptions (2, including one pick-six) while chipping in with two broken up passes and 1.5 TFLs.
> Best defensive freshman: Devonte Fields, TCU
A quick word: His nine sacks were the most by any freshman in the nation, as were his 17.5 TFLs. Fields was a big recruit out of high school, but his extremely impressive freshman season could not have been predicted. He'll be a defensive force for years to come in Fort Worth.
What I said at midseason: Devonte Fields, TCU; Fields is next in line of Gary Patterson's tradition for churning out great defensive ends, having totaled 6.5 sacks to go along with 28 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 2 QB hurries.
>Most improved defensive player: Jason Verrett, TCU
A quick word: Just see the quick words above about the best defensive back in Texas. Gary Patterson's defense relies on cornerbacks being able to play receivers one-on-one. Verrett's vast improvement made that possible and is a big reason TCU finished the regular season ranked 18th in total defense.
What I said at midseason: Jason Verrett, TCU; Burned too many times as a first-year starter last fall, Verrett has gotten the hang of the TCU defensive schemes, picking off four passes -- the most in the state -- to go with his 8 passes broken up and 16 tackles.
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, TCU (-2.5) vs. Michigan State: Frankly, I don't see how MSU sticks in this, unless their defense can slow down the speed of TCU's offense, because I expect TCU to shut down MSU's pedestrian offense. Think TCU vs Wisconsin on a far less grand scale.
> WAY too early 2013 predictions:
Big 12 Champion: I expect next year to be more wide open than ever before, with Oklahoma State and TCU tying for the best league record.
2013 DCTF summer cover: A showcase of the current Heisman winner (Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel) along with a 2013 Heisman darkhorse candidate (Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk). Small photo in the top right corner: Casey Pachall's return to TCU makes the Frogs the Big 12's team to beat.
By Jake Shaw
TexasFootball.com
> Best defensive back: Jason Verrett, TCU
A quick word: As the saying goes, numbers don't lie, and Verrett's numbers are among the best in the country: 6 INTs, the third-most in the country; 20 passes defended, the second-best national number; and 51 tackles, of which 40 were solo, showing that when Verrett met up with a ball carrier, he typically won that battle.
What I said at midseason: Cody Davis, Texas Tech; The best defense in Texas resides (for now) in Lubbock, and Davis is the Red Raiders' most consistent player, leading the team in tackles (45) and interceptions (2, including one pick-six) while chipping in with two broken up passes and 1.5 TFLs.
> Best defensive freshman: Devonte Fields, TCU
A quick word: His nine sacks were the most by any freshman in the nation, as were his 17.5 TFLs. Fields was a big recruit out of high school, but his extremely impressive freshman season could not have been predicted. He'll be a defensive force for years to come in Fort Worth.
What I said at midseason: Devonte Fields, TCU; Fields is next in line of Gary Patterson's tradition for churning out great defensive ends, having totaled 6.5 sacks to go along with 28 tackles, 2 forced fumbles and 2 QB hurries.
>Most improved defensive player: Jason Verrett, TCU
A quick word: Just see the quick words above about the best defensive back in Texas. Gary Patterson's defense relies on cornerbacks being able to play receivers one-on-one. Verrett's vast improvement made that possible and is a big reason TCU finished the regular season ranked 18th in total defense.
What I said at midseason: Jason Verrett, TCU; Burned too many times as a first-year starter last fall, Verrett has gotten the hang of the TCU defensive schemes, picking off four passes -- the most in the state -- to go with his 8 passes broken up and 16 tackles.
Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, TCU (-2.5) vs. Michigan State: Frankly, I don't see how MSU sticks in this, unless their defense can slow down the speed of TCU's offense, because I expect TCU to shut down MSU's pedestrian offense. Think TCU vs Wisconsin on a far less grand scale.
> WAY too early 2013 predictions:
Big 12 Champion: I expect next year to be more wide open than ever before, with Oklahoma State and TCU tying for the best league record.
2013 DCTF summer cover: A showcase of the current Heisman winner (Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel) along with a 2013 Heisman darkhorse candidate (Baylor RB Lache Seastrunk). Small photo in the top right corner: Casey Pachall's return to TCU makes the Frogs the Big 12's team to beat.
