Four takeaways for TCU football with four games left

By Drew Muller, Sports Editor

Published Nov 7, 2025

TCU running back Kevorian Barnes reaches for the pylon at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Oct. 4, 2025. (TCU360/Tyler Chan)

With four games left in the season, TCU is in the most challenging stretch of its schedule.

TCU will see a 5-4 Iowa State team at home this Saturday and will follow it up with two road games, first an 8-0 and No. 7-ranked BYU team and then a 7-2 Houston team. The Frogs will close the season against a 7-2 Cincinnati team at the Carter.

1. The Big 12 Championship is still in play for TCU.

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark presents the trophy after Arizona State’s win in the Big 12 Conference championship NCAA college football game against Iowa State, in Arlington, Texas, Saturday Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) (AP)

TCU is in complete control of its path to the Big 12 championship, but the Frogs have to win out.

TCU is one of four teams with two Big 12 losses, along with Houston, Utah and Arizona State. BYU is at the top of the Big 12, undefeated, and Cincinnati and Texas Tech are tied for second. TCU’s upcoming games not only give them a head-to-head advantage but also a strength of schedule advantage, one of the tiebreakers the Big 12 uses when there is a tie between three or more teams.

The Frogs do not want a two-team tie between TCU and Arizona State because of the Frogs’ 24-27 loss on Sep. 26.

2. The TCU offense has to lead the way.

TCU tight end Ka’Morreun Pimpton catches a touchdown pass at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas Oct 18, 2025. The TCU Horned Frogs defeated the Baylor Bears 42-36 (TCU360/Logan Pope). (Logan Pope)

Make no mistake, TCU has an outstanding offense, as expected.

With Josh Hoover and Eric McAlister leading the way, the offense will always be good, TCU ranking 39 in total yards and 29 in points per game.

While the stats show the offense is performing really well, there have been many moments in the first eight games when it has been lackluster. The offensive performances that the Frogs have had against Colorado in the first half, Arizona State in the second half, West Virginia and Kansas State may not be strong enough for the Horned Frogs to make a Big 12 championship.

3. Win the turnover battle.

TCU has to keep turnovers to a minimum for the next four games.

Under Sonny Dykes TCU is 25-4 when they win the turnover battle, and when they lose it, they are 6-11.

Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson (2) recovers his own fumble for a first down as he is tackled by TCU linebacker Max Carroll (33) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Manhattan, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Across college football, teams win around 78% of their games if they win the turnover battle.

The Frogs have forced 14 turnovers over eight games, ranked 29 in the country. But while the defense is capable of forcing turnovers, the offense often fails to protect the ball, especially on the road, where TCU has seven of its 10 turnovers.

4. For the second straight year, bad losses could cost the Frogs.

Last season, TCU went 9-4 and 6-3 in the Big 12. The Big 12 championship game featured Arizona State and Iowa State, both finishing 7-2 in conference play.

The 2024-25 Horned Frog football team found themselves up 31-13 late in the third quarter against UCF before ending up losing the game 34-35. The 2024-25 team also had a 30-19 loss to Houston, who finished the season 4-8, leaving an uphill climb that TCU couldn’t overcome.

This season, TCU led 17-0 against Arizona State and lost 24-27. When traveling to Manhattan to face a 4-5 Kansas State team, they struggled, leading to a 41-28 loss, leaving another uphill climb for a Big 12 championship and national recognition.