This will be the third meeting between the Wolves and Frogs. The teams first played on Sept. 25, 1999, when TCU won 24-21 in Jonesboro, Arkansas. On Sept. 23, 2000, the Horned Frogs slaughtered the Red Wolves 52-3 in Fort Worth.<\/p>\n
TCU enters Saturday\u2019s game with a 1-1 record and fresh off a 63-7 victory over Grambling State<\/a> on Sept. 12.<\/p>\n The Frogs rolled up 676 yards of total offense against the Tigers. TCU\u2019s defense allowed only 210 yards, including just 20 on the ground. However, a closer look at TCU\u2019s victory<\/a> revealed both encouraging progress and details that must be cleaned up before Big 12 play.<\/p>\n The Horned Frogs opened their 2026 season on Aug. 29 with a 15-10 upset loss to North Carolina in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, Ireland.<\/p>\n No. 35 defensive tackle, Tristan Johnson recorded two tackles against the UNC Tar Heels in the week zero debut in Ireland | Tony Beblowski for KillerFrogs.com<\/p>\n Following the Arkansas State game, TCU will open Big 12 Conference play at UCF on Saturday, Sept. 26. That game will kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT and be televised on FS1.<\/p>\n Arkansas State is also 1-1. The Red Wolves opened their season with a 42-24 loss at Memphis on Sept. 5 before defeating West Georgia 52-7 on Sept. 12. After playing TCU, Arkansas State will host Kennesaw State on Sept. 26.<\/p>\n TCU opened as a 20.5-point favorite over Arkansas State at DraftKings Sportsbook. Betting lines may vary by sportsbook and are subject to change before kickoff.<\/p>\n Midnite Madness predicts a 45-17 TCU victory.<\/p>\n Other Week 3 Games Involving Big 12 Teams<\/p>\n Friday, Sept. 18<\/p>\n Saturday, Sept. 19<\/p>\n Tulane at Kansas StateBowling Green at Iowa StateArizona State at KansasMiami (Ohio) at CincinnatiUtah State at UtahLouisiana Tech at BaylorMurray State at Oklahoma StateGeorgia State at UCFColorado at NorthwesternBYU at Colorado StateWest Virginia vs. Virginia – Charlotte, N.C.Northern Illinois at ArizonaDykes Says Arkansas State Is Solid<\/p>\n \u201cArkansas State is a good, solid football team,\u201d TCU head coach Sonny Dykes said. \u201cButch Jones is a good football coach. He\u2019s been around a long time and has had success everywhere he has been. His teams always play hard. They usually create a little bit of havoc on defense.<\/p>\n \u201cThey have a good returner, dangerous. They\u2019ve really done a nice job of creating turnovers. I like their back-end guys. They can play the ball and make plays. Their quarterback is big and played really well last week. He\u2019s big, strong and has a good arm. He can make the throws. He\u2019s a good decision-maker. An effective runner who is hard to tackle. They have a big running back that runs hard and speed at the receivers.\u201d<\/p>\n Dykes expects Arkansas State to try to establish the run, which should provide another test for TCU\u2019s defense.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to need to play well up front,\u201d Dykes said. \u201cWe\u2019ll need to be physical and do a good job of getting off blocks, and leverage the ball properly.\u201d<\/p>\n Dykes was encouraged by how the Horned Frogs bounced back from their season-opening loss<\/a> with a dominant victory over Grambling State.<\/p>\n TCU Head Coach Sonny Dykes discussing penalty calls with the officials | Tony Beblowski for KillerFrogs.com<\/p>\n \u201cWe cut our penalties in half. We\u2019ve got to continue to do that,\u201d Dykes said. \u201cI hated that we turned the ball over. We\u2019ve got to make sure we don\u2019t do that. But we did execute better. A big improvement in that.<\/p>\n \u201cWe had five drops, you know, and probably left 150 yards out there. We\u2019ve got to make those plays. If we want to be a good football team, we can\u2019t have five drops. We\u2019ve dropped eight balls in two games. That\u2019s not something we normally do. We have some young players, but that\u2019s no excuse. We\u2019ve got to be consistent in catching the ball, especially the deep balls.<\/p>\n \u201cDefensively, we\u2019ve been good. We finished the game strong against Grambling. We had good execution. We played a lot of guys, and I was very encouraged by the young guys\u2019 effort, intensity and attention to detail. Defensively, we need to find a way to start games a little bit better. We\u2019ve given up drives early in games. This is the biggest area we could improve on from a defensive standpoint.\u201d<\/p>\n Those mistakes were among the lingering concerns when former TCU linebacker Jason Phillips looked beyond the final score<\/a>. The performance also earned solid grades against Grambling State<\/a>, even with room remaining for improvement.<\/p>\n Dykes said edge rusher Zach Chapman and wide receiver Jordan Dwyer are doubtful for the Arkansas State game. Preseason All-Big 12 safety Jamel Johnson is expected to play after missing the Grambling State game.<\/p>\n Butch Jones Leads Arkansas State<\/p>\n Butch Jones is in his sixth season as Arkansas State\u2019s head coach. His name is probably familiar to most college football fans.<\/p>\n Jones is 27-38 overall and 16-24 in Sun Belt play at Arkansas State. He has led the Red Wolves to three consecutive bowl appearances, including bowl victories following the 2024 and 2025 seasons.<\/p>\n Arkansas State is one of 18 Group of Six programs to earn at least three consecutive bowl bids through the 2025 season.<\/p>\n Jones came to Arkansas State following a stint at Alabama from 2018 through 2020. He served as a special assistant to Nick Saban in 2020 after working as an offensive analyst during the previous two seasons.<\/p>\n Before joining Alabama, Jones spent five seasons as Tennessee\u2019s head coach from 2013 through 2017. He was Cincinnati\u2019s head coach from 2010 through 2012 and led Central Michigan from 2007 through 2009.<\/p>\n Across 16 completed seasons as a head coach, Jones\u2019 teams have won four conference championships, appeared in 11 bowl games and finished in the AP Top 25 seven times. He is currently in his 17th season.<\/p>\n He is the only active coach, and one of only three in FBS history, to lead four different programs to multiple bowl games. Jones earned his 100th career victory in 2024 and is now 111-92 overall.<\/p>\n \u201cOur competition is now a lot steeper. A lot more challenging,\u201d Jones said about Arkansas State\u2019s game against TCU. \u201cWe have to become a much better football team, just in the overall small details of winning football games.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will be playing a TCU football team that I totally anticipate will challenge for the Big 12 Conference championship. They are extremely, extremely talented and very, very well coached. In all three phases of the game, we are going to be challenged.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going to take everything we have, and obviously, like any coach will tell you, it starts with a great week of preparation. We have to get monumentally better from a fundamental standpoint. If not, when you play a talented, complete football team like TCU, you will get exposed.\u201d<\/p>\n Familiar Faces Return to Fort Worth<\/p>\n TCU fans will notice two familiar faces on the Arkansas State coaching staff: former Horned Frogs Kenny Hill and Garrett Altman.<\/p>\n 210 Let\u2019s get it!! #TheWord<\/a>\ud83d\udc4c\ud83c\udffd https:\/\/t.co\/AVw2rv2J9U<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Kenny Hill Jr7\u20e3 (@Kennyhill13) January 13, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n Hill was named Arkansas State\u2019s running backs coach before this season. He spent the previous two seasons at Incarnate Word as co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach. Before that, Hill worked as an offensive quality control coach at Cal for two seasons.<\/p>\n Hill played quarterback at TCU from 2015 through 2017. During his standout senior season, he led the Horned Frogs to an 11-3 record, an appearance in the Big 12 Championship Game and a No. 9 final ranking.<\/p>\n Hill remained at TCU following his playing career. He served as a student assistant and graduate assistant before becoming an offensive analyst in 2020 and quarterbacks coach in 2021.<\/p>\n Altman, a former TCU offensive lineman, was named Arkansas State\u2019s offensive coordinator before the 2026 season. He spent the previous two seasons in Nashville as Vanderbilt\u2019s quarterbacks coach.<\/p>\n Definitely wouldn\u2019t be where I am without @FBCoachP<\/a> Well deserved! https:\/\/t.co\/qDeCXGnPhK<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Garrett Altman (@CoachAltman) January 15, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Before joining Vanderbilt, Altman worked as an offensive analyst at New Mexico State in 2022 and 2023. He previously spent four seasons as a graduate assistant at TCU after playing for the Horned Frogs from 2013 through 2017.<\/p>\n Red Wolves Are Familiar With the Big 12 and Texas<\/p>\n Arkansas State competes in the Sun Belt Conference, which began sponsoring football in 2001.<\/p>\n The Red Wolves play in the West Division with Louisiana, Louisiana-Monroe, Louisiana Tech, South Alabama, Southern Miss and Troy.<\/p>\n Arkansas State changed its nickname from the Indians to the Red Wolves in 2008. The university\u2019s colors are scarlet and black.<\/p>\n The Red Wolves have claimed 12 conference championships, with the most recent coming in 2016. The program also claims the 1970 NCAA College Division national championship.<\/p>\n Saturday will mark Arkansas State\u2019s 21st game against a Big 12 opponent. The Red Wolves are 2-18 in the previous 20.<\/p>\n Arkansas State\u2019s most recent victory over a Big 12 opponent came in 2020, when the Red Wolves defeated Kansas State 35-31 in Manhattan. Their other victory came at Kyle Field in 2008, when Arkansas State defeated then-Big 12 member Texas A&M 18-14.<\/p>\n Arkansas State will play in Texas for the 67th time in program history. The Red Wolves are 35-31 in the Lone Star State.<\/p>\n Arkansas State Offensive Overview<\/p>\n Through two games, Arkansas State has scored 76 points and gained 825 yards. The Red Wolves are averaging:<\/p>\n 38 points per game412.5 total yards per game182.5 rushing yards per game230 passing yards per game<\/p>\n Arkansas State\u2019s offense has scored eight touchdowns, including five rushing and three passing. The Red Wolves have thrown four interceptions, lost one fumble and allowed four sacks.<\/p>\n Junior quarterback Trey Owens (No. 9), a Houston native and transfer from Texas, has completed 34 of 47 passes for 460 yards and three touchdowns. He has thrown four interceptions, and his longest completion covered 75 yards.<\/p>\n Owens\u2019 460 passing yards rank fourth in the Sun Belt.<\/p>\n Senior wide receiver Chauncy Cobb (No. 2) leads a group of four Red Wolves with at least 80 receiving yards. Cobb has caught 10 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown. He is averaging 64.5 receiving yards per game.<\/p>\n Senior wide receiver Hunter Summers (No. 3), a Prosper native and Tulane transfer, has caught six passes for 107 yards. He averages 53.5 receiving yards per game and has a long reception of 40 yards.<\/p>\n Fifth-year senior running back Kenyon Clay (No. 5), a Southern Miss transfer, has caught four passes for 89 yards and a touchdown. His 75-yard reception is Arkansas State\u2019s longest passing play of the season.<\/p>\n Senior wide receiver Jaylen Bonelli (No. 10), a Wagner transfer, has also caught a touchdown pass.<\/p>\n Clay leads the Red Wolves\u2019 rushing attack with 25 carries for 99 yards and two touchdowns.<\/p>\n Freshman running back Solomon Baggett (No. 23) has rushed eight times for 70 yards and a touchdown, including a 33-yard run.<\/p>\n Quarterback Drew Dickey (No. 7), a Vanderbilt transfer, and running back Timothy Carter (No. 31), an Incarnate Word transfer, have each scored a rushing touchdown.<\/p>\n Arkansas State Defensive Overview<\/p>\n The Arkansas State defense is allowing:<\/p>\n 24.5 points per game384.5 total yards per game181 passing yards per game203.5 rushing yards per game<\/p>\n The Red Wolves have allowed seven touchdowns, including four rushing and three passing.<\/p>\n Arkansas State has forced six turnovers through its first two games, its highest total through two contests since 2008. The Red Wolves have four interceptions and two fumble recoveries to go with two sacks.<\/p>\n Senior linebacker Robert Stevens III (No. 23), a Lafayette College transfer, leads the defense with 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack. He also has an interception, a quarterback hurry and a forced fumble.<\/p>\n Stevens was named the Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Week after recording six tackles, a tackle for loss, an interception, a forced fumble and a quarterback hurry against West Georgia.<\/p>\n His forced fumble led to a 68-yard touchdown return by teammate Noah Flores. Stevens became the 12th Arkansas State player since 1995 to force a fumble and intercept a pass in the same game.<\/p>\n Sophomore linebacker Joe Drew (No. 16) and senior defensive tackle Elias Sherman (No. 92) have each made 13 tackles.<\/p>\n Sherman, a Maine transfer, also has one tackle for loss, half a sack and two quarterback hurries.<\/p>\n Safety AG McGhee (No. 6), a preseason first-team All-Sun Belt selection, has eight tackles and a pass breakup.<\/p>\n Safety Five Hamilton (No. 5), a Kennesaw State transfer, has eight tackles, one interception and one pass breakup.<\/p>\n Defensive tackle Ryan Reese (No. 54) has eight tackles, one tackle for loss, half a sack and two quarterback hurries.<\/p>\n Fourth-year safety Brandon Greil (No. 15) has recorded seven tackles, one tackle for loss, an interception, a quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery.<\/p>\n Cornerback Dontrae Henderson (No. 0), an Indiana transfer, has an interception. Cornerback Noah Flores (No. 3), a Utah State transfer, has a fumble recovery and a 68-yard defensive touchdown.<\/p>\n Arkansas State Special Teams Overview<\/p>\n Arkansas State punter Daniel Vuckovic (No. 90), a Northern Illinois transfer, has punted four times for an average of 35.5 yards. His longest punt traveled 50 yards.<\/p>\n Kicker Clune Van Andel (No. 34) has converted both of his field-goal attempts, including a 48-yarder. Van Andel is the fifth kicker in Arkansas State history to score at least 200 career points.<\/p>\n Cobb is Arkansas State\u2019s primary return specialist and one of the players TCU must contain on special teams.<\/p>\n Frogs Continue Their Quest for Greatness TCU cornerback Kalen Carroll (12) kneels in prayer before the Horned Frogs\u2019 game against Grambling State. | Emma Swinney for KillerFrogs.com<\/p>\n TCU\u2019s next two games come with a warning<\/a>. The Horned Frogs were expected to defeat Grambling State and are favored against Arkansas State, but they cannot afford to mistake favorable scores for a finished product.<\/p>\n A win over Arkansas State would be another milestone in TCU\u2019s journey from being a good football team to becoming a great one.<\/p>\n It would also be the second of three consecutive victories needed for the Horned Frogs to restore the confidence lost in Dublin.<\/p>\n TCU handled the first part of that assignment against Grambling State. Now the Frogs must continue improving against a more dangerous opponent before beginning Big 12 play at UCF, the first major test in what lies ahead for the Horned Frogs<\/a>.<\/p>\n Stay connected with all things TCU by visiting KillerFrogs.com<\/a>, joining the discussion on the KillerFrogs Fan Forum<\/a>, and following us on X<\/a>, Facebook<\/a> and Instagram<\/a>. Sign up for The Weekly Croak newsletter<\/a> to receive the latest TCU news, analysis and updates directly in your inbox.<\/p>\n Betting Disclaimer![\"No.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/01m1kk6ys5gxv5x6b0gr.jpg\" "\\"No.")
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