One team is coming off a heartbreaking loss, while the other is on a high following a win against the No. 2 team in the nation. The Frogs will look to bounce back as the Cardinal hopes to avoid a letdown. Here are the probable starters for Saturday’s game between TCU and Stanford.

QUARTERBACK

TCU: Andy Dalton, redshirt freshman

Stanford: T.C. Ostrander, senior

Advantage: Stanford

Just as it looked like Marcus Jackson was on the cusp of getting significantly more playing time, lackluster play gave way to more time for Dalton, who could not get into any kind of rhythm of his own until his two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Dalton will need to be patient on his throws going against a team that is riding high after a four-interception performance against USC. Although backup Tavita Pritchard will be remembered for beating the Trojans, Cardinal fans will be happy to see Ostrander and his 266 passing yards-a-game back under center.

RUNNING BACK

TCU: Aaron Brown, junior

Stanford: Anthony Kimble, junior

Advantage: TCU

The rushing game was able to avoid an off-day for Brown (50 rushing yards on 14 carries) to go for 134 yards, though, the 43 carries for an average of a little more than three yards a carry is a little disheartening. Expect Brown to bounce back in a big way, facing a team giving up an average of 170 yards on the ground. After averaging nearly 90 yards and a touchdown a game for his first three games, Kimble has been nonexistent in his last two games, going for 52 total rushing yards. He should make for easy pickings for a TCU defense that cannot be in the best mood after allowing two 100-yard rushers to Wyoming.

WIDE RECEIVERS and TIGHT END

TCU: Marcus Brock, Ervin Dickerson, Donald Massey, Walter Bryant, Quinton Cunigan (TE)

Stanford: Mark Bradford, Evan Moore, Richard Sherman, Ryan Whalen, Jim Dray (TE)

Advantage: Stanford

For as much balance as the receiving core has had in its past few games, the lack of a consistent go-to receiver has hurt whatever continuity the offense hoped to have secure in Dalton’s first year under center. Jimmy Young and Bart Johnson have given lifts on offense and special teams, but with Shae Reagan suffering from a broken leg on the first drive of the Wyoming game, everyone needs to pick it up to make up for his loss. Sherman is averaging nearly 77 receiving yards a game, and with Bradford coming off an emotional performance against USC following the death of his father, the TCU secondary needs to be ready.

OFFENSIVE LINE

TCU: Matty Lindner, Blake Schlueter, Marshall Newhouse, Giles Montgomery, Nic Richmond

Stanford: Tim Mattran, Mikal Brewer, Alex Fletcher, Ben Muth, Chris Marinelli

Advantage: TCU

After three great performances, the line felt the pressure against a good Wyoming defense, allowing three sacks – the most allowed since the Texas game. The group’s task does not get any easier as it takes on a defense averaging more than three sacks a game, good for No. 15 in the nation in sacks. Although the Cardinal can throw two tall tackles at TCU’s defensive ends in Muth and Marinelli, Stanford is giving up nearly four sacks a game and is keeping Ostrander awake at night.

DEFENSIVE LINE

TCU: Chase Ortiz, Matt Panfil, Cody Moore, Kelly Griffin

Stanford: Pannel Egboh, Erik Lorig, Chris Horn, Levirt Griffin

Advantage: TCU

When describing Panfil, my buddy Ross has dubbed him “Handful,” and rightfully so after another solid, eight-tackle performance Saturday. Coupled with Ortiz’s ability to stuff the run, it could result in a long day for Stanford offensive coordinator David Shaw. With that being said, TCU cannot possibly allow 232 rushing yards like it did against Wyoming, right? Other than Egboh and his 6-foot, 6-inch frame at defensive end, the Frogs’ offensive line should not have much trouble with Stanford in this department.

LINEBACKERS

TCU: Jason Phillips, David Hawthorne

Stanford: Pat Maynor, Clinton Snyder, Nick Macaluso

Advantage: Even

Both linebacking groups are probably the best two collective units on both sides of the ball. Phillips, Hawthorne and Robert Henson combined for 25 tackles in the loss to Wyoming. If Kimble cannot get anything going on the ground, expect the TCU linebackers to make plays over the middle and in coverage. As a sophomore, Snyder has developed into one of the most impressive linebackers in the country. It should be interesting to see what TCU’s blocking scheme will look like against a Stanford defense that should be able to keep the Cardinal in the game against a TCU team that cannot seem to hold onto the ball.

SECONDARY

TCU: Brian Bonner, David Roach, Steven Coleman, Nick Sanders, Rafael Priest

Stanford: Bo McNally, Nick Sanchez, Wopamo Osaisai, Austin Yancy

Advantage: Stanford

All in all, the secondary did its job in Laramie, Wyo. Despite the solid performance, the Cowboys’ 80-yard, first-quarter strike proved to be the difference between being 4-2 and 3-3. Roach’s play has been exceptional and he needs to keep it up against a receiving core that is feeling pretty good right now. Stanford’s unit flat out brought it against USC quarterback John David Booty, getting to him for four interceptions. The game-changing plays made by Yancy and McNally against a great team were impressive, but will there be a letdown against the Frogs?

SPECIAL TEAMS

TCU: Chris Manfredini, Derek Wash, Brian Bonner, Donald Massey

Stanford: Derek Belch, Jay Ottovegio, Anthony Kimble, Chris Hobbs

Advantage: TCU

Manfredini showed some great leg strength Saturday, nailing a 51-yarder in the opening quarter. He would miss the game-tying 48-yard field goal as time expired, but showing that kind of distance should be encouraging for Frogs’ fans. After a fast start, Belch has been inconsistent the past two games, going two for four on field goal attempts. Cool conditions should not play much of a factor for both teams’ kicking games.

HEAD COACHES

TCU: Gary Patterson, seventh year (57-23, 35-17 in conference)

Stanford: Jim Harbaugh, first year (2-3, 1-3 in conference)

Advantage: TCU

On the brink of falling below .500, Patterson needs to have his team ready to catch Stanford on a possible letdown the week following the big win at USC. The Frogs need it following its second heartbreaking loss of the season. Harbaugh will look for his team to ride that high level of momentum into Saturday. It will be Stanford’s homecoming game, so maybe that will give Patterson and the Frogs some extra incentive to spoil the Cardinal’s fun.