TCU Football week two preview: Scouting the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles

This Saturday, the TCU football team will face the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Tennessee Tech is where TCU head coach Gary Patterson earned his master's degree in educational administration in 1984. During that time, Patterson also began his coaching career as the linebacker coach. For that reason, Saturday will be just a little bit special for him as he faces the school that got him started.

The Golden Eagles enter Saturday's match-up after losing big to #14 Arkansas, 44-3. Interestingly, Tennessee Tech actually led 3-0 at the start of the game. However, they would not see the same type of success that Jacksonville State or even North Dakota State did last weekend. Instead, they fought uphill against one of the nation's best teams. They'll have to do so again this weekend against the Horned Frogs.

Players to watch: Sophomore running back Zack Ziegler is a pretty solid all-around player for the Golden Eagles. In the first half against the Razorbacks, Ziegler had success catching the ball out of the backfield. He had a tough time running and that's due to the offensive line for Tennessee Tech, which to say the least, was completely over-matched on Saturday. The thing to keep in mind is that although he's a talented back, he'll have just as difficult of a time running against TCU as well. He'll have to work hard to find the openings and the gaps that he would like probably won't be there. He could slip lose into the midfield area for a couple of catches though and if the Frogs are relaxed in their tackling he could turn it into a big play.

Sophomore quarterback Tre Lamb has a little bit of play-making ability for Tennessee Tech. He turned in his finest moments on Saturday's first drive, leading the offense all the way to Arkansas' 1-yard line before things stalled for them. Well, "stalled" is really a loose term. In actuality, one of the best defenses in football tightened up in the red zone and held the Golden Eagles to just a field goal. Lamb has the ability to make some things happen . . . if he gets time. That's really the key. The Frog defense likely won't give him enough time to move and make plays, thereby limiting his options and forcing him out of his comfort zone. It should be another big day for Wayne Daniels and Tank Carder as they feast on open gaps and hurried passes. That's nothing derogatory about Lamb, either. It's just a fact that the Horned Frogs will be hungry this weekend. (Note that the writer strongly resisted inserting a joke using "hungry" and "Lamb" here.)

Senior cornerback Dustin Dillehay had a big game against Arkansas and was really the only bright spot in the game for the Golden Eagles. He intercepted an early pass by Ryan Mallett and later forced a fumble. Both plays occurred while Tennessee Tech was still in the game, so they did come at times one would still consider "crucial" for the Golden Eagles. When the TCU offense takes the field, Dillehay will be a player to account for.

In all, the Horned Frogs should make pretty easy work of the Golden Eagles. Dalton and the offense should have a pretty easy time moving the football at will and Ed Wesley will break a big play early. Tucker will run considerably well and flirt with the 100-yard mark while Wesley will run for somewhere around 150. Dalton will pass for 200 yards with a couple of touchdown passes while Jeremy Kerley and Skye Dawson will be the ones hauling in the scores. Considering Patterson's history with Tennessee Tech and his track record of not being one to run up the score, this game will not get as out of hand as one might think. 42-6 sounds reasonable and isn't out of the question.

The game will not be televised, but can still be purchased through GoFrogs.com. The audio will be carried live on WBAP 820 AM and 96.7 FM along with KTCU 88.7 FM. Kickoff is set for 6 PM CDT.