TCU (10-3) VS. STANFORD (9-4)
Site: Alamodome, San Antonio.
Kickoff: Thursday, 9 p.m. TV: ESPN.
Line: TCU by 3.
All-time series: TCU leads 2-0.
Last meeting: TCU 31, Stanford 14 (2008).
TEXAS CHRISTIAN
Coach: Gary Patterson (17th season, 159-57).
All-time postseason: 15-6-1.
Last postseason appearance: Lost to Georgia 31-23 in 2016 Liberty Bowl.
Draft spotlight: OT Joseph Noteboom. An ultra-wide wingspan and easy kick slide make him a tough guy to beat off the edge. When his balance is there, Noteboom has showed the ability to neutralize both speed and power rushers alike. There is a very high ceiling to work with here. Read full report here.
Other Horned Frogs to watch: RB Kyle Hicks, G Matt Pryor, DE Matt Boesen, LB Travin Howard, S Nick Orr.
Frog Tales: TCU’s previous trip to the Alamo Bowl was a memorable one, producing the second-largest comeback in FBS history as the Frogs beat Oregon 47-41 in triple overtime. TCU trailed 31-0 at halftime. … The Frogs have reached 10 wins for the third time in the past four seasons and 11th in Patterson’s 17 years. … TCU is 5-0 against Pac-12 opponents under Patterson.
STANFORD
Coach: David Shaw (7th season, 73-21).
All-time postseason: 14-13-1.
Last postseason appearance: Beat North Carolina 25-23 in 2016 Sun Bowl.
Draft spotlight: RB Bryce Love. Slightly undersized but incredibly explosive, Love has taken full advantage of his opportunity now that Christian McCaffrey has moved on to the NFL. He’s a sub 4.4 speed player who can bring that caliber of speed on the field with pads on. Read full report here.
Other Cardinal to watch: TE Dalton Schultz, OL David Bright, DT Harrison Phillips, *SS Justin Reid.
Cardinal Approach: Stanford’s ninth consecutive bowl appearance is a school record. Seven have come under Shaw, the most of any Cardinal coach. … Love owns 12 runs of at least 50 yards this season, a new FBS record. He has another 11 rushes of at least 30 yards. … The game will be just the fifth Stanford has played indoors and just the second since 1979.
* underclass draft prospect