Film Room: When TCU relied on its biggest playmakers to solidify their contender status

The currently undefeated TCU Horned Frogs started the year like most expected. They beat a hapless Colorado team, trounced FCS program Tarleton State, and outscored SMU in a rivalry matchup. Their destruction of Oklahoma in Fort Worth by a score of 55-24 raised more alarms about the Sooners than attention toward the Horned Frogs, but TCU entered national focus a week later with a 38-31 win at previously undefeated Kansas with College Game Day present.

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Winning a contest that Desmond Howard, Rece Davis, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, David Pollack, and Pat McAfee decided was worthy of the nation’s focus should have put TCU at the forefront of the college football landscape, but the focus in Lawrence, Kan. that weekend was on the turnaround of the KU football program. It wouldn’t be until a week later when Sonny Dykes’ best offensive players led a fourth-quarter rally to erase a two-touchdown deficit to defeat then-No. 8 Oklahoma State in double overtime that TCU pronounced themselves as the College Football Playoff contender from the Big 12.

Quarterback Max Duggan, running back Kendre Miller, and wide receiver Quentin Johnston made key plays in the course of the TCU comeback and eventual overtime victory that kept Dykes’ team undefeated. Second-half surges led by that trio have been the theme of the Frogs this year. As a result, that group has the Texas Longhorns’ attention prior to the primetime matchup between the two top-20 teams this Saturday at Darrell K Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium.

“We’re playing a very good opponent, very electric on offense,” Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian said Monday. “A really good run game, Miller is a tremendous runner. Duggan is a great passer. They’ve got Quentin Johnston on the outside. Really complete offensive football team.”

In that contest versus the Cowboys, Duggan was 23-of-40 for 286 yards and two second-half scores. He also added 57 yards and a first-quarter touchdown on the ground set up by this deep heave to Johnston.

Texas knows just how effective Johnston can be. Aside from being a one-time Texas commit, he has six catches for 107 yards in two career games versus the Longhorns. Texas defenders are preparing for the challenge he presents.

“He’s a good, physical receiver,” Texas defensive back Jahdae Barron said Monday. “They love to give him the ball and see what he can do in space.”

Johnston was a key part of the fourth-quarter comeback, but Miller started the process of coming back from two touchdowns down. Even without Zach Evans on the TCU roster, Texas respects what the Horned Frog run game brings to the table, with Miller serving as its focal point.

“Miller is a heck of a player,” Sarkisian said. “I really think their offense starts with him and goes through him, especially in the second half.

Said linebacker Jaylan Ford, the reigning Big 12 defensive player of the week: : “He’s a physical runner. He definitely doesn’t let his feet stop on contact. He has good vision, and he even has explosive plays. I think they lead on him when they have the lead in the second half. When they need a play or a first down, I think they lean on him to get it on the ground.”

Those traits were obvious on the touchdown that made it a one-score game with the Cowboys.

Miller may be the center of attention, but the success of TCU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s offense on a snap-by-snap basis rests on the shoulders (and legs) of Duggan. A capable runner and passer, Duggan orchestrated the game-tying drive with savvy throws, quick decision-making, and with skilled improvisation on this trick play for the game-tying score.

“The quarterback, I think, is a dog,” defensive tackle Keondre Coburn said. “He can throw the ball and he can run. He’s one of those players where you can hit him and he’s easily right back up and probably smiling at you.”

Said Sarkisian: “This guy is playing at a high level. He’s making the throws to make and he’s taking advantage of a lot of skill on the perimeter, yet he’s using his legs. His legs are a factor, especially in the red area.”

Combined efforts from Duggan, Miller, and Johnston helped the Horned Frogs push the game versus OSU to overtime. That same trio helped TCU to victory in the extra periods.

In the first overtime, Duggan found Johnston on the second play from scrimmage to give TCU its first lead of the game.

OSU would respond with a tying score, then kick a field goal to open the second overtime. When it was time for TCU to complete the comeback, they turned to Miller to seal the deal.

Since that thriller, all TCU has done is win by 10 points. They toped Kansas State by a score of 38-28, traveled to West Virginia and emerged with a 41-31 victory, then overcame Texas Tech in Fort Worth, 34-24.

The Frogs head to Texas this week for a matchup with major Big 12 and College Football Playoff implications. A win would help the Horned Frogs bolster their CFP resume. A Texas upset would be the first at DKR over a top five team since 1999, and give the Longhorns a stronger chance of making the Big 12 title game.

The result will likely depend on whether Texas can stop TCU’s trio of playmakers.

“I feel like it’ll be a great battle,” Barron said.