The Call: Gophers at TCU

PLAYER TO WATCH

Gophers QB Mitch Leidner sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee last week but will play, coach Jerry Kill insists. Leidner's mobility could be limited, so he'll need to find his passing touch.

THE OPPONENT

TCU went 7-6 and 4-8 in its first two years in the Big 12, but the Horned Frogs look poised to rebound under 15th-year coach Gary Patterson. They opened with a 48-14 win over Samford, which was an FCS playoff team last year. TCU ran 96 plays for 555 yards.

GOPHERS OFFENSE VS.
HORNED FROGS DEFENSE

David Cobb rushed for 220 yards last week against Middle Tennessee, and the Gophers will use their running game to control the clock. Passing could be tough, as TCU has one of the best secondaries in the Big 12, led by safety Sam Carter, a first-team preseason All-America by USA Today. Advantage: TCU

SPECIAL TEAMS

GOPHERS DEFENSE VS.
HORNED FROGS OFFENSE

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin completed 29 of 41 passes for 320 yards and two touchdowns and added a rushing score against Samford. TCU uses tailback by committee and has three wide receivers who are All-Americas in track — Cameron Echols-Luper, Kolby Listenbee and Jordan Moore.

Advantage: TCU

INTANGIBLES

The Gophers have lost five players to ACL injuries already this season, and TCU is fresh, coming off a bye week. Advantage: TCU