TCU on SI: TCU's Offense Faces a Tough Report Card

[TopFrog]

TCU's Offense Faces a Tough Report Card​

Despite explosive moments from some star players, inconsistency kept the TCU Horned Frogs' offense from reaching its full potential.​

Seth Dowdle

Remember in high school — or perhaps even in college — when you’d sit with bated breath waiting to find out what you got on a final? Remember how stressful a feeling that was? Yeah, it was not a fun time.

For the position groups of the TCU football program, that moment has finally arrived. Twelve games have come and gone, and the offense, defense and special teams all contributed in their own different ways. All three were firing on all cylinders at times, while in other instances it was more of a mixed bag.

Dissecting exactly how each position group fared throughout the season is the point of this three-part exercise. Today, it’s all about the offense — the unit that Sonny Dykes and the rest of the coaching staff have built this team around. It’ll be graded on a traditional A-F scale (no pluses or minuses because this is one of those no-nonsense college classes). And just like any good instructor, some constructive criticism will follow, no matter the grade.

Without further ado, let’s see how TCU’s offense did on its exam.

Read the rest at https://www.si.com/college/tcu/football/tcu-offense-faces-a-tough-report-card-01kbn5pcg6h3

 

[FroggleRock]

The offense is tough to score. Some games they looked like a machine (UNC, SMU, BU, Cinci), and then other times they looked like a pee-wee squad (BYU, UH, ISU, WVU). Initially I thought a C was harsh, but the fact they regressed put some weight on that. I think a C is fair.

By position, I would go:

QB: B-
RB: C
WR: B+
TE: B-
OL: D-

 

[ShreveFrog]

C is indeed pretty harsh when you're in the top third in the country in points and yards. But we had obvious flaws. Give us a B overall. We're above average.

 

[82 Frog Fever]

Among the 64 “Power” teams, TCU is ranked 19th in Total Yards and 30th in Scoring.
That is a “Mirage” offense!
TCU moves the ball with significant passing yards outside the Red Zone, but fails to cash in when the Defensive Safeties stack up closer to the goal line…..and we all know that’s because TCU lacks a bonafide rushing attack.

This has been on-going on for a couple of years, so I would say it‘s a C at best.

However, there is plenty of blame to go around:
- Dykes’ terrible OL recruiting philosophy is “Salvation Army“ on the cheap. Taking upperclassmen in the portal with a good deal of PT who have not previously panned out as P4 level starters.
- AJ Ricker is a complete fraud, who hasn’t developed anyone.
- Briles’ failure to develop or recruit a RB with genuine 1,000 yard capabilities has also been “Salvation Army“ recruiting.…and going with a non-RPO QB hasn’t helped either.

 

[FroggleRock]

Among the 64 “Power” teams, TCU is ranked 19th in Total Yards and 30th in Scoring.
That is a “Mirage” offense!
TCU moves the ball with significant passing yards outside the Red Zone, but fails to cash in when the Defensive Safeties stack up closer to the goal line…..and we all know that’s because TCU lacks a bonafide rushing attack.

This has been on-going on for a couple of years, so I would say it‘s a C at best.

However, there is plenty of blame to go around:
- Dykes’ terrible OL recruiting philosophy is “Salvation Army“ on the cheap. Taking upperclassmen in the portal with a good deal of PT who have not previously panned out as P4 level starters.
- AJ Ricker is a complete fraud, who hasn’t developed anyone.
- Briles’ failure to develop or recruit a RB with genuine 1,000 yard capabilities has also been “Salvation Army“ recruiting.…and going with a non-RPO QB hasn’t helped either.

I disagree on your last point. It’s not Briles job to develop RB’s. And even then, we’ve had three 4-star RB’s on the team in the last 2 years. The one we ran off (Cook) just posted the most yards in FBS. So that right there tells me it’s not a talent problem. Our running issues result specifically from our inability to recruit and develop offensive lineman. Ricker should have been canned last year.

 

[An-Cap Frog]

Among the 64 “Power” teams, TCU is ranked 19th in Total Yards and 30th in Scoring.
That is a “Mirage” offense!
TCU moves the ball with significant passing yards outside the Red Zone, but fails to cash in when the Defensive Safeties stack up closer to the goal line…..and we all know that’s because TCU lacks a bonafide rushing attack.

This has been on-going on for a couple of years, so I would say it‘s a C at best.

However, there is plenty of blame to go around:
- Dykes’ terrible OL recruiting philosophy is “Salvation Army“ on the cheap. Taking upperclassmen in the portal with a good deal of PT who have not previously panned out as P4 level starters.
- AJ Ricker is a complete fraud, who hasn’t developed anyone.
- Briles’ failure to develop or recruit a RB with genuine 1,000 yard capabilities has also been “Salvation Army“ recruiting.…and going with a non-RPO QB hasn’t helped either.

Looking back at the stats, there was a significant drop-off in red-zone efficiency during our losing streak. Maybe it was the competition, but we went from being middle of the pack mid-season to finishing at 103rd nationally. To a certain extent, this may be tied to our kicking situation and having to “go for it” more than the average team, though that’s hard to quantify.

I do want to give Briles some credit...he’s shown stretches of genuinely creative play design...but the consistency just hasn’t been there. His red-zone design hasn’t exactly warmed the soul like a good bottle of bourbon. He also has a tendency to find a play or two that works early and then milk the absolute hell out of it. There’s a law of diminishing returns unless you fully embrace the Air Raid’s small-playbook philosophy (and yes, I know Briles runs more of a veer-and-shoot) and bank on tempo and execution to create the advantage.

Yep, Dykes really missed on building an O-line. But I disagree with your RB assessment. I actually think the recruiting classes at that position have been above average. You’re spot-on, though, about the QB fit and the overall offensive system. I still feel like Briles can’t run what he wants to run and has had to patch together other concepts just to keep the offense afloat. In that sense, we’re not getting the best version of Briles, and the offense isn’t fully leaning into Hoover’s strengths either.

To get over the hump, one of those things has to change. I hope Hoover is here next year, which leaves Briles needing to find a better fit elsewhere. And honestly, South Carolina is a great match for his system. LaNorris Sellers is exactly the type of QB who would thrive under Briles. It’s a pairing that seems almost made in heaven...or Tinder.

 

[82 Frog Fever]

Looking back at the stats, there was a significant drop-off in red-zone efficiency during our losing streak. Maybe it was the competition, but we went from being middle of the pack mid-season to finishing at 103rd nationally. To a certain extent, this may be tied to our kicking situation and having to “go for it” more than the average team, though that’s hard to quantify.

I do want to give Briles some credit...he’s shown stretches of genuinely creative play design...but the consistency just hasn’t been there. His red-zone design hasn’t exactly warmed the soul like a good bottle of bourbon. He also has a tendency to find a play or two that works early and then milk the absolute hell out of it. There’s a law of diminishing returns unless you fully embrace the Air Raid’s small-playbook philosophy (and yes, I know Briles runs more of a veer-and-shoot) and bank on tempo and execution to create the advantage.

Yep, Dykes really missed on building an O-line. But I disagree with your RB assessment. I actually think the recruiting classes at that position have been above average. You’re spot-on, though, about the QB fit and the overall offensive system. I still feel like Briles can’t run what he wants to run and has had to patch together other concepts just to keep the offense afloat. In that sense, we’re not gettingh the best version of Briles, and the offense isn’t fully leaning into Hoover’s strengths either.

To get over the hump, one of those things has to change. I hope Hoover is here next year, which leaves Briles needing to find a better fit elsewhere. And honestly, South Carolina is a great match for his system. LaNorris Sellers is exactly the type of QB who would thrive under Briles. It’s a pairing that seems almost made in heaven...or Tinder.

Well said.
I like Briles, and believe he is a very good OC with the right personnel.
For whatever reason, I don’t believe he’s had the personnel required to make his system run to its full capabilities.
Unfortunately, K. Briles is probably leaving, and I wouldn‘t be surprised if he takes Coach Randy Clements with him. Leaving us stuck with Sonny’s pet, AJ Ricker.
It will be tough to find a new OC as good as Briles.

TCU‘s possible current options:
- Promote Malcolm Kelly for continuity, and Sonny calls the offensive plays.
Note: Sonny will likely call the offensive plays in our upcoming bowl game.
- Justin Fuente returns to TCU, coming back from TCU radio color commentary and CFP Sr. Advisor.
- or possibly a Garrett Riley return.

 

[An-Cap Frog]

Well said.
I like Briles, and believe he is a very good OC with the right personnel.
For whatever reason, I don’t believe he’s had the personnel required to make his system run to its full capabilities.
Unfortunately, K. Briles is probably leaving, and I wouldn‘t be surprised if he takes Coach Randy Clements with him. Leaving us stuck with Sonny’s pet, AJ Ricker.
It will be tough to find a new OC as good as Briles.

TCU‘s possible current options:
- Promote Malcolm Kelly for continuity, and Sonny calls the offensive plays.
Note: Sonny will likely call the offensive plays in our upcoming bowl game.
- Justin Fuente returns to TCU, coming back from TCU radio color commentary and CFP Sr. Advisor.
- or possibly a Garrett Riley return.

There is a high probability that Jimmy Smith would go with Briles...

 

[82 Frog Fever]

I disagree on your last point. It’s not Briles job to develop RB’s. And even then, we’ve had three 4-star RB’s on the team in the last 2 years. The one we ran off (Cook) just posted the most yards in FBS. So that right there tells me it’s not a talent problem. Our running issues result specifically from our inability to recruit and develop offensive lineman. Ricker should have been canned last year.

I agree TCU’s rushing issues are definitely intertwined with a bad OL.
However, it is certainly Briles’ job to seek out and sign the best skill position players available. He’s been very successful at WR, but has failed at RB.
In 2024 KB said TCU was set at RB with transfer Trey Sanders, soph. Cam Cook, Battle, and freshmen Payne/Palmer. Briles was counting on Trey Sanders, who turned out to be permanently injured. Cook was a complete dud, who tried to make the corner and failed nearly every rush. Resultantly, Briles went to the portal too late and got a total burn out in Dominique Johnson
Again in 2025, with only Payne, Battle, Palmer, & Freshman Denman at RB, Briles goes to the portal too late and pulls out another permanently injured RB in Barnes.

Cook is also a mirage. At Jacksonville St. he‘s playing in a full RPO offense that greatly helps his game.
The RPO QB has rushed for 1,350 yards and thrown for 2,000 more, which means the #1 priority of every defense is pressuring/containing the QB, not necessarily stopping Cook.
Cam has run for 1659 yards in 13 games, but half his yards are against 4 bad CUSA teams with < 3 wins each and a 1 win FCS team. Cam played against just one Power team, UCF, and ran for 75 yards @ 4.4 ypc.
He would still be very average at the Power level.

 

[Wexahu]

Looking back at the stats, there was a significant drop-off in red-zone efficiency during our losing streak. Maybe it was the competition, but we went from being middle of the pack mid-season to finishing at 103rd nationally. To a certain extent, this may be tied to our kicking situation and having to “go for it” more than the average team, though that’s hard to quantify.

I do want to give Briles some credit...he’s shown stretches of genuinely creative play design...but the consistency just hasn’t been there. His red-zone design hasn’t exactly warmed the soul like a good bottle of bourbon. He also has a tendency to find a play or two that works early and then milk the absolute hell out of it. There’s a law of diminishing returns unless you fully embrace the Air Raid’s small-playbook philosophy (and yes, I know Briles runs more of a veer-and-shoot) and bank on tempo and execution to create the advantage.

Yep, Dykes really missed on building an O-line. But I disagree with your RB assessment. I actually think the recruiting classes at that position have been above average. You’re spot-on, though, about the QB fit and the overall offensive system. I still feel like Briles can’t run what he wants to run and has had to patch together other concepts just to keep the offense afloat. In that sense, we’re not getting the best version of Briles, and the offense isn’t fully leaning into Hoover’s strengths either.

To get over the hump, one of those things has to change. I hope Hoover is here next year, which leaves Briles needing to find a better fit elsewhere. And honestly, South Carolina is a great match for his system. LaNorris Sellers is exactly the type of QB who would thrive under Briles

The way red zone efficiency is measured is pretty irrelevant. It gives as much credit to a FG as it does a TD so teams with a good kicker and a coach who doesn’t go for it on 4th down are going to look better statistically.

We scored a TD 60% of the time we got in the red zone. Not all that good but pretty much average, and almost exactly at the rate that Tech and BYU scored. I wonder if they are frustrated with their RZ offense? It’s being magnified as a bigger issue than it was.

 

[An-Cap Frog]

The way red zone efficiency is measured is pretty irrelevant. It gives as much credit to a FG as it does a TD so teams with a good kicker and a coach who doesn’t go for it on 4th down are going to look better statistically.

We scored a TD 60% of the time we got in the red zone. Not all that good but pretty much average, and almost exactly at the rate that Tech and BYU scored. I wonder if they are frustrated with their RZ offense? It’s being magnified as a bigger issue than it was.

Good point, looking at points per red zone trip we were tied for 15th...last year we were 36th.

 

[TopFrog]

Good point, looking at points per red zone trip we were tied for 15th...last year we were 36th.

What are our number of red zone trips compared to last year and previous years? Need to look that up.

 

[Mean Purple]

What are our number of red zone trips compared to last year and previous years? Need to look that up.

It’s like watching someone trying to convince themself that their horse is not as slow as it is while its two furlongs back.

Some people use stats like a drunk uses a lamp post … to lean on rather than for illumination.

That offense went void of touchdowns for quarters during key games. The dumb calls in the red zone that killed drives. The refusal to consider what the defense was giving them.

Empty stats don’t mean jack. They don’t hand out championships for stats.

 

[TopFrog]

It’s like watching someone trying to convince themself that their horse is not as slow as it is while its two furlongs back.

Some people use stats like a drunk uses a lamp post … to lean on rather than for illumination.

That offense went void of touchdowns for quarters during key games. The dumb calls in the red zone that killed drives. The refusal to consider what the defense was giving them.

Empty stats don’t mean jack. They don’t hand out championships for stats.

They can mean something, point to trends. TCU ranked 103 in RZ offense this year at 78% rounded, down from 84% last year. But I think we also were among teams with longest scoring plays.

The only stat that really matters is Ws and Ls however you do it.

 

[An-Cap Frog]

They can mean something, point to trends. TCU ranked 103 in RZ offense this year at 78% rounded, down from 84% last year. But I think we also were among teams with longest scoring plays.

The only stat that really matters is Ws and Ls however you do it.

To Wex's point though, is points per trip the better metric? Our points per trip went up.

 

[frog9999]

What are our number of red zone trips compared to last year and previous years? Need to look that up.

I would love to see a chart showing the game by game red zone success

 

[An-Cap Frog]

Good point, looking at points per red zone trip we were tied for 15th...last year we were 36th.

I may have read this stat wrong. this maybe redzone trips not points per trip...

 

[An-Cap Frog]

Per Gofrogs.com
Year - Red Zone Trips - Scores - TDs
2025 - 54 - 43 - 32
2024 - 57 - 52 - 42

 

[Chongo94]

Personally, for me, points is all that matter. Not points per when, where, or anything else, just scheissing points.

And at times this offense had a gross inability to score them. Is that Briles’ fault?…who knows and I don’t really care. I would like to see a more consistent offense all the way around, however.

 

[Chongo94]

Per Gofrogs.com
Year - Red Zone Trips - Scores - TDs
2025 - 54 - 43 - 32
2024 - 57 - 52 - 42

So by this metric then we decreased across the board yes? Am I reading this right?

Not a glowing endorsement of Briles at all.