TCU Horned Frogs vs Stanford Cardinal NCAAF Week 1 Preview and Prediction August 30, 2024
Posted 2 years ago | Betting Previews and Predictions, NCAAF | 1 comments
TCU vs Stanford August 30, 2024 @ Stanford, CA
Opening Betting Odds
Spread: TCU -8.5, Stanford +8.5
Moneyline: TCU -350, Stanford +260
Total: 61
Preview
This will be the first time these teams have faced each other since 2017. TCU won by a score of 39-37 in the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. TCU has won all three meetings dating back to 2007, but Stanford has covered in two of those three games.
Stanford won three games last season, and bookmakers are not projecting much improvement. Their regular season win total is set at 3.5 (juiced -140 to the over).
TCU is expected to be better this season, with bookmakers setting their wins total at 7.5. These teams have gone over the number in each of the last three head to head meetings, and there is plenty of reason to expect another high score in this one.
TCU
- 5-7 Overall in 2023
- 3-6 in the BIG12 in 2023
- 5-7 ATS in 2023
The second season under Sonny Dykes did not go as planned for TCU, going from 13-2 in 2022 to 5-7 in 2023. Josh Hoover took over at QB in the middle of the season after Chandler Morris struggled, and while he showed some promise, it didn’t translate into many wins.
The Horned Frogs are bringing back two of their top three receivers, and they added Boise State transfer Eric McAlister who caught 47 passes for 873 yards and five TDs with the Broncos last year.
The defense struggled last season, but with Andy Avalos coming over from Boise State to take over at defensive coordinator we might expect some improvement. TCU ranked 11th in the BIG12 against the pass last year, and 115th nationally in takeaways.
Stanford
- 3-9 Overall in 2023
- 2-7 in the PAC12 in 2023
- 5-7 ATS in 2023
Troy Taylor inherited a roster that was decimated by the transfer portal after the departure of David Shaw, but he appeared to do a phenomenal job remaining competitive. While it didn’t always translate on the scoreboard, there is reason for optimism heading into 2024.
The Cardinal are bringing back their top two receivers, including Elic Ayomanor who had 62 receptions and over 1000 yards receiving in 2023. Ashton Daniels will return after leading the Cardinal with 2,247 passing yards, 11 TDs and 9 INTs on 59 percent passing.
Elijah Brown comes in as a 4-star recruit battling for the starting quarterback job, but it won’t matter who’s throwing the ball if the Cardinal don’t improve on the offensive line.
Relevant Trends
- The Horned Frogs are 8-1 SU in their last 9 games played in week 1.
- The Horned Frogs are 9-1 SU in their last 10 games against the Pac-12.
- The Cardinal are 0-9 SU in their last 9 games at home.
- The Cardinal are 5-13 ATS in their last 18 games.
- The Under is 8-3 in the Horned Frogs last 11 games.
PREDICTION: TCU 38 – STANFORD 34
The over has cashed in each of the last three meetings between these teams, and it would appear that both teams come into the 2024 season with plenty of optimism on offense, and question marks on defense. We are projecting a TCU win and a Stanford cover, but our best bet would be on the total to go over the number.
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One comment on “TCU Horned Frogs vs Stanford Cardinal NCAAF Week 1 Preview and Prediction August 30, 2024”
Honest question… Is Sonny Dykes really a good coach???