TCU football’s matchup against West Virginia is going to be much more difficult than anticipated.
The two teams enter Saturday’s 11 a.m. game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in similar positions. The Horned Frogs (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) have an elite defense that ranks among the best in the country, while having an offense that has scored just five touchdowns against Power Four conference opponents.
The Mountaineers (4-3, 1-3) have one of the nation’s most dynamic offenses, but they have to win every game in a shootout because of a defense that is struggling.
The stark contrast on both sides of the ball for each team is what makes Saturday’s game so intriguing, along with the return of a former Horned Frog.
Here’s four things to know about TCU’s next opponent, the West Virginia Mountaineers:
West Virginia running back Cam Cook (4) is tackled by Iowa State defenders during the first half Oct. 3, 2026, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. David Purdy Getty Images Former running back returns
Cam Cook was a high-profile signing for TCU after the Horned Frogs’ run to the national championship game in 2022. A four-star signee in the class of 2023, Cook had hopes of following in the paths of Kendre Miller, Emari Demercado and Emani Bailey. The first two became NFL running backs, while Bailey rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2023.
But when Cook finally got his turn in the 2024 season, the run game was mostly unproductive despite the flashes Cook showed during the offseason. Cook finished that season with 460 yards and nine touchdowns, but averaged just 3.9 yards per carry. Cook transferred in December 2024 and eventually landed in Jacksonville State, where he led the nation in rushing with 1,659 yards last season.
After an All-American season, Cook transferred back into the Big 12, landing in Morgantown where he continues to look like one of the country’s best running backs. Cook leads the country in carries (168) and is fifth in rushing yards (833) while adding seven touchdowns and averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Cook has rushed for at least 100 yards in five games this season.
Considering how TCU is still struggling to find a run game, it feels safe to say that Cook wasn’t the biggest problem in 2024.
West Virginia quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. (right) scrambles for yards under pressure from Iowa State linebacker Sullivan Schlimgen during the second half Oct. 3, 2026, at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa. David Purdy Getty Images DFW high school star thriving at QB
Coming out of the class of 2024 at Frisco Emerson High School, Michael Hawkins Jr. was rated one of the best quarterbacks in the country. A four-star recruit, Hawkins signed with Oklahoma out of high school. After two seasons of being in and out of the lineup, Hawkins transferred to West Virginia this past offseason and is flourishing under head coach Rich Rodriguez.
Hawkins has already set career-highs in passing yards (1,519), passing touchdowns (10), rushing yards (749) and rushing touchdowns (14) this season. Hawkins also ranks 12th in ESPN’s QBR metric, with a rating of 83.5 out of 100. The Mountaineers’ spread option attack fits Hawkins’ skillset perfectly, as he’s had over 20 carries in five games this season.
He’s also beginning to show growth as a passer with three straight games with over 200 yards. Hawkins is coming off one of the best quarterback performances of the season with 464 passing yards, 77 rushing yards and five total touchdowns in West Virginia’s 45-42 win over Cincinnati on Saturday.
TCU has faced more polished quarterbacks, but none of them are as dynamic as Hawkins.
Leaky defense
West Virginia’s offense has needed to be productive this season, as the Mountaineers may have the worst defense among Power Four conference teams. Just last week West Virginia defensive coordinator Zac Alley told local media that “I’m pretty sure we’re the worst [expletive] defense in college football.”
When you look at the stats, Alley’s position becomes very understandable. The Mountaineers rank 130th out of 138 team in scoring defense at 34.0 points allowed per game. West Virginia is allowing 483.9 total yards per game, and the secondary has struggled against every quarterback, allowing 310.1 passing yards per game.
West Virginia is allowing 45 points per game in Big 12 play, and even Coastal Carolina had plenty of offensive success with 24 points in a near-upset. The Mountaineers haven’t been able to stop anybody this season, and TCU’s offense needs to make the most of this confidence-building opportunity.
West Virginia’s defense does have one strength
Despite struggling in virtually every category, the Mountaineers have at least one thing they’re good at, and that’s getting after the quarterback. The Mountaineers rank fourth in the Big 12 with 15 sacks, one slot ahead of TCU.
West Virginia has used multiple stunts and blitzes to attack the passer, which has led to 12 players contributing sacks on the season.
While there are no true stars on the defensive front, Ezekiel Durham-Campbell is a name to know. An All-Sun Belt selection last season at Coastal Carolina, Durham-Campbell is tied for a team-high two sacks and had one in the win over Cincinnati.
TCU ranks last in sacks allowed and has to find a way to protect senior quarterback Jaden Craig if the Horned Frogs are to exploit West Virginia’s defense.
Game schedule dates, times, locations Sept. 13 N.Y. Giants 28, Cowboys 20 Sept. 20 Cowboys 37, Washington 20 Sept. 27 Baltimore 34, Cowboys 31 Oct. 4 Cowboys 34, Houston 30 Oct. 8 Tampa Bay 24, Cowboys 16 Oct. 18 Green Bay 23, Cowboys 13 Oct. 26 at Philadelphia, 7:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC Nov. 1 vs. Arizona, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 8 at Indianapolis, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 15 vs. San Francisco, 3:25 p.m., Fox Nov. 22 vs. Tennessee, 12 p.m., Fox Nov. 26 vs. Philadelphia, 3:30 p.m., Fox Dec. 7 at Seattle, 7:15 p.m., ESPN, ABC Dec. 20 at L.A. Rams, 3:25 p.m., CBS Dec. 27 vs. Jacksonville, 7:20 p.m., NBC Jan. 3 vs. N.Y. Giants, 12 p.m., Fox Jan. 9 or 10 at Washington, TBA Aug. 29 North Carolina 15, TCU 10 Sept. 12 TCU 63, Grambling State 7 Sept. 19 TCU 31, Arkansas State 7 Sept. 26 Central Florida 21, TCU 13 Oct. 3 BYU 17, TCU 10 Oct. 17 TCU 17, Baylor 6 Oct. 24 vs. West Virginia, 11 a.m., ESPN2 Oct. 31 vs. Kansas, 2:30 p.m., FS1 Nov. 6 at Arizona, 9:15 p.m., ESPN Nov. 14 vs. Kansas State, TBA Nov. 21 vs. Utah, TBA Nov. 26 at Texas Tech, 7 p.m., ESPN Sept. 5 Indiana 52, North Texas 16 Sept. 12 North Texas 44, UNLV 6 Sept. 19 Texas State 49, North Texas 35 Sept. 26 North Texas 63, Houston Christian 14 Oct. 1 North Texas 45, Tulsa 44 (OT) Oct. 10 North Texas 50, Charlotte 10 Oct. 24 at Navy, 2:30 p.m. CBSSN Oct. 29 vs. Florida Atlantic, 6:30 p.m., ESPN or ESPN2 Nov. 7 vs. Rice, TBA Nov. 14 at UTSA, TBA Nov. 21 at Tulane, TBA Nov. 28 vs. UAB, TBA All home games at Crowley ISD Multi-Purpose Stadium Aug. 27 Central Oklahoma 59, Texas Wesleyan 7 Sept. 5 McNeese State 52, Texas Wesleyan 0 Sept. 12 Texas Wesleyan 56, Texas College 20 Sept. 26 Texas Wesleyan 41, Nelson 16 Oct. 3 Texas Wesleyan 34, Arkansas Baptist 27 Oct. 10 Louisiana Christian 42, Texas Wesleyan 27 Oct. 17 Mary Hardin-Baylor 38, Texas Wesleyan 22 Oct. 24 at Langston, 2 p.m. Oct. 31 vs. Oklahoma Panhandle State, 2 p.m. Nov. 7 at Ottawa (Arizona), 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at Wayland Baptist, 2 p.m. Preseason Oct. 9 Houston 135, Mavericks 117 (at Macao) Oct. 11 Mavericks 132, Houston 115 (at Macao) Oct. 14 New Orleans 101, Mavericks 97 Oct. 16 Atlanta 135, Mavericks 111 Regular season Oct. 21 at Houston, 7:30 p.m., ABC, KFAA, MavsTV+ Oct. 23 at Indiana, 6 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV+ Oct. 24 vs. San Antonio, 7 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV+ Oct. 26 at Miami, 6:30 p.m., KFAA, MavsTV+, NBA TV Oct. 28 vs. Oklahoma City, 8:30 p.m., ESPN, KFAA, MavsTV+ Oct. 8 Stars 4, Buffalo 0 Oct. 10 Pittsburgh 2, Stars 1 (SO) Oct. 13 Colorado 3, Stars 2 Oct. 14 Stars 3, Colorado 2 (SO) Oct. 17 Stars 4, Chicago 0 Oct. 20 vs. Boston, 7 p.m., ESPN Oct. 22 vs. Winnipeg, 7 p.m., Fox, Amazon Prime Video Oct. 25 vs. N.Y. Islanders, 5 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Oct. 27 vs. New Jersey, 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Oct. 29 vs. Montreal, 7 p.m., Amazon Prime Video Sept. 19 FC Dallas 0, Austin 0 Sept. 26 FC Dallas 1, LAFC 0 Oct. 10 Charlotte 3, FC Dallas 2 Oct. 14 FC Dallas 1, Seattle 0 Oct. 17 FC Dallas 2, Houston 2 Oct. 24 vs. San Jose, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV Oct. 28 vs. Columbus, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV Oct. 31 at Kansas City, 2 p.m., Apple TV Nov. 7 vs. Colorado, 6 p.m., Apple TV End of regular season Oct. 29-31 POWRi Racing Nov. 5-7 POWRi Racing Dec. 5 Team Texas: David Starr’s Racing School Dec. 12 NASCAR Racing Experience
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