No. 5 — TCU Horned Frogs (6-6 overall, 5-4 in Big 12)
For the first time in two decades, TCU will enter the 2022 season with a new head coach. Sonny Dykes, who was an offensive analyst at TCU in 2017, takes over for longtime head man Gary Patterson. The Horned Frogs also have a new defensive coordinator in Joe Gillespie, which will be a big change for a defense that has had Patterson’s hand all over it throughout this century.
TCU returns seven starters on offense and defense, including quarterback Max Duggan and nearly all of their rushing and receiving production. A good foundation is in place on both sides of the ball. If there is an unknown, it exists in the defensive unit.
As good as Patterson’s defenses have been over the years, but the unit has lost some of its punch in recent seasons. If Gillespie can restore some of what’s been missing on defense, watch out for this TCU team. The Frogs could be a sleeper in the Big 12 this season.