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| Monday, September 11 Expectations never higher for Horned Frogs By Stephen Tsai Special to ESPN.com | |||||
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Texas Christian Horned Frogs 1999 record: 8-4 (5-2 WAC) Coach: Dennis Franchione Starters returning: 18 (10 offense, 8 defense) Outlook It has been 40 years since the Horned Frogs were in anybody's preseason poll. And, unlike last season, when expectations also were high, they hope not to go rib-bit. "We'll be better prepared this time," said Franchione, noting the Horned Frogs are only two years removed from a 1-10 season. While LaDainian Tomlinson, last year's NCAA rushing leader, is the focus, Franchione is hopeful of balancing an offense that rushed nearly 75 percent of the time last year. He has said the goal is for a 60-40 ratio of runs to passes. That should be made easier with sophomore quarterback Casey Printers at the controls. The Horned Frogs were 8-2 in games in which Printers started, including a 28-14 victory in the Mobile Bowl. Eighteen starters are back, and many are stronger. Always a proponent of weight training, Franchione established the "4 by 4 Club," in which memberships are extended to players who improve in four weightlifting categories. Enrollment is up to 58 players. There also are 35 players who have bench-pressed at least 400 pounds. Now, the biggest weight is the expectations. Keep an eye on ... Tomlinson, who led the NCAA with 1,850 rushing yards (168.1 per game). Tomlinson, who often is compared to Emmitt Smith, set an NCAA record with 406 rushing yards against Texas-El Paso. It's a good season if... The Horned Frogs don't stumble out of the gate. Predicted to finish first last year, they opened with three losses in their first four games. The players seem committed to a strong start. All but two of the returning players worked out in Fort Worth this summer. |
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