Greg McElroy: TCU poised to become perennial Big 12 contender following OU, Texas exit

Greg McElroy believes TCU has a chance to stake its claim as one of the Big 12’s top teams going into the future. With Oklahoma and Texas set to leave the conference after this season, the league will soon look a lot different as it is set to add eight new members over this year and next.

The Horned Frogs find themselves in prime position to take advantage of that as they are coming off of a national championship appearance in the 2022 season. Speaking on the Always College Football podcast, McElroy explained how that can propel them moving forward.

“When Texas and Oklahoma leave for the SEC, I think there is absolutely no reason whatsoever why TCU shouldn’t be at the top of the food chain or at least near the top of the food chain in the Big 12 as it related to profile and possible ceiling and trajectory,” the ESPN analyst said. “I think they are really well-positioned in the future because of this most recent run. It gave a media credibility to Sonny Dykes. It gave a media credibility to the program.

“Knowing that the Big 12 might not be as strong top to bottom as far as resources are concerned in the near future, TCU should be able to compete with anybody moving forward.”

The Sooners and Longhorns have dominated the Big 12 since 1996 with a combined 17 conference titles between then. Once OU and Texas leave next season, Baylor and Kansas State will be tied for the most Big 12 championships among remaining members with three apiece.

TCU is relatively new to the Big 12, with its first season coming in 2012 following the exits of Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri and Texas A&M. Since then, it has amassed a 56-43 record in conference play and claimed a share of the league title in 2014.

This past year was inarguably the Horned Frogs’ best since joining the Big 12 as they finished undefeated in the regular season before falling to Kansas State in the conference championship game. They still went on to earn the No. 3 seed in the College Football Playoff, defeating Michigan before getting blown out by Georgia in the title game.

TCU loses starting quarterback Max Duggan, leading receiver Quentin Johnston and running back Kendre Miller from last year’s team. That in mind, expectations are tempered in 2023 with the Horned Frogs coming in just fifth in the preseason Big 12 media poll.

However, TCU brought in the best recruiting class of any Big 12 team aside from Oklahoma and Texas this offseason, ranking No. 19 according to On3’s Team Recruiting Rankings. Looking at the future of the conference with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah set to arrive next season, it’s hard not to feel good about where the Horned Frogs stand.