Eleven different penalty markers plagued the TCU Horned Frogs last week in a setback at UCF. With a top-10 home bout with the BYU Cougars on Saturday, the Horned Frogs must overturn those miscues for a shot at an upset.
A fan survey by Frogs O’ War observed that 65% of voters felt “penalties and a lack of discipline” was the most shocking outcome from last week in Orlando. Just 27% were surprised by how little TCU accomplished on the ground.
We asked and #TCU fans answered once more.
— Frogs O’ War (@FrogsOWar) October 2, 2026
Penalties and a lack of discipline were voted as the most shocking takeaways from the team's 21-13 road loss against #UCF last week at 65%
27% of fans were most stunned by the inability to run the football.https://t.co/s2XUW2K1yA
JADEN CRAIG’S SLOW START TO BIG 12 PLAY
Harvard transfer Jaden Craig boasts just a 59.6 QBR (69th nationally) through four starts and two losses, with his latest outing featuring two interceptions. While 21 points by UCF is the most the Frogs have allowed all season, the offense has struggled to find footing with a sputtering output of just 2.57 yards per carry and just 2.11 yards per carry against Power Four opponents.
Craig for TCU Through Week 4:
• Completed 90 of 132 passes (68.2%) for 1,213 yards
• 7 touchdowns to 3 interceptions
• 25 carries for just 35 yards (1.4 yards per carry)
More concerning, Craig has been sacked nine different times already this season, and Saturday’s test with BYU, which generates 1.3 sacks per game, is the latest for an offensive line that’s struggled to protect the quarterback. Relief via the line of scrimmage is a must if TCU plans on moving the football with running back Jeremy Payne (3.2 yards per carry) and Craig this week at home.
TCU can only become aggressive when it cuts out the missteps and stomach-churning turnovers.
BYU RETURNS TO FORT WORTH
Ending the streak: The Cougars have won in Fort Worth just twice since 1987, and they’re fresh off ending a five-game losing streak to the Frogs in 2025. A 6.5-point favorite on Saturday, BYU enters the contest with an established run game with LJ Martin and one of the Big 12’s top passers, dual-threat quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
BYU Injury Updates: They’ll travel to Texas with eight players missing, most notably Andrew Gentry, replaced most likely by Siosiua Latu-Finau and Bott Mulitalo at right tackle. Some good news for the Cougar depth chart, though, is that safety Raider Damuni may return at some point this season; It remains unclear whether he’ll see any action at TCU on Saturday.
A Fast Start Could Mean the Worst for TCU: Should TCU get behind early, it’s hard to see where the offense could turn the corner against a stout BYU defense anchored by a veteran core along the line of scrimmage. The Gordon Sammis-led TCU attack will need a big day at home to give the Cougars a game-long fight.
