Texas Longhorns vs. TCU Horned Frogs gamethread

The dwindling hopes of Texas Longhorns bowl eligibility hinge on pulling off a big upset and a depleted TCU Horned Frogs squad is the target on Saturday in Fort Worth at 11:00 a.m. CT on ABC.

With TCU only featuring one starter on defense from the Peach Bowl group that stomped Ole Miss, the secondary is struggling to limit big plays and the linebacker depth chart now features two back ups starting, including a 190-pounder.

So this is the time for the Texas run game to step up and for redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Heard to prove his mettle on the road as a starter for the first time.

Defensively, the challenge is much more significant for the Horns against the high-powered Horned Frogs offense that features perhaps the most effective quarterback-wide receiver duo in college football in seniors Trevone Boykin and Josh Doctson.

But perhaps this is the game that head coach Charlie Strong's team can turn close into hitting the center of the target.