The PrizePicks Play to take in TCU-UNC

The TCU offense that you know and love from years past will be vastly different from the TCU offense you’ll see kick off the season in Dublin. Sonny Dykes brought in Gordon Sammis from UConn who will run a more pro-style offense centered around building the offensive line and scheming a run game. Jeremy Payne is a guy to watch for the Frogs this season. In my opinion, he’s the most dynamic runner as they’ve had in Fort Worth since LaDanian Tomlinson was roaming around. Quick burst, top-end speed, and very decisive once he hits a gap.

Being that it’s Week 0, a lot of plays we take this week are speculative around a guy’s pure talent and fit in the gamescript. I’ve told you what I think about the talent, now to the situation. The playcaller isn’t the only change that Sonny Dykes’ team made going into the season, as you can add QB to that list as well. Out goes Josh Hoover and in comes Harvard transfer Jaden Craig. I’ve heard some great things from smart people and those connected to the team about Craig, but I’m still a tad skeptical.

But regardless of how he may progress long-term, Week 0 in Ireland in potential rainy conditions with a brand new scheme for both him and the existing offense doesn’t smell like a recipe for him airing it out. Not to mention the TCU WR room doesn’t impress me very much. The only proven dynamic weapon is Jordan Dwyer, who is all of a sudden a game-time decision after recovering from an injury in the offseason. Dozie Ezukanma was likely also slotted for a starting spot but didn’t travel to Ireland after the Jacob Fields locker room fight dilemma. Guys like Terry Shelton, Major Everhart, Jeremy Scott, and Ed Small have some upside but not enough to trust in a volume capacity to begin the year. This sets up to be a game where TCU tries to establish themselves in the trenches with the run game.

Now the UNC front seven wasn’t elite but probably a bit better than you thought last year. Partially due to playing a pretty soft schedule and some rancid offenses but nevertheless they got stronger as the year went on. They bring back some experience on the D-Line with guys like Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Isaiah Johnson but don’t have much depth behind and around them. I think TCU will have plenty enough to wear down that unit and open some big holes for Payne all game. This year’s offensive line is one of the best units TCU has had in quite some time. They made a huge splash in the portal snagging Noah McKinney from Oklahoma State, having him join a room that includes Cade Bennett and Ben Taylor-Whitfield. Size, strength, and physicality everywhere. With the rest of this matchup looking like it’ll produce a little tighter of a game, the potential for explosives lies in the run game for Payne. While Jon Denman may handle some short yardage and goal line situations, Jeremy Payne is the guy who will take a big workload and bust some big plays for this offense. This line has continued creeping slightly higher and higher by a few yards and I don't think it has gotten high enough. Needless to say some demon squares will be involved as well...