October 31, 2015 - Amit Batra

Boykin's TCU Is The Big 12 Team To Beat

TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin isn't just beating teams in Big 12 Conference play, he's embarrassing them. 

In a 40-10 rout over West Virginia Thursday night, the Heisman Trophy candidate impressed in many ways--even to the point where WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen gave him a high-five after a prolific run.

Trevone Boykin finished the game completing 32 of 47 passes for 388 yards and three  touchdowns while also running for 84 yards and a rushing score--one that needs to be seen:

On the season, Boykin has 28 passing touchdowns to only five interceptions and has thrown 2,927 yards. He also has seven rushing touchdowns, as he's making a strong case in what has become a two-man race for the Heisman with Leonard Fournette. 

Boykin now leads the nation in QBR at 88.9 and has thrown 17 touchdowns to two interceptions in Big 12 play. Two of his best performances this season have come against in-conference competition, one of which was when he tore up Iowa State's defense completing 27 of 32 passes, throwing four touchdowns and not turning the ball over. His passer rating was 240.1 in that game. 

Boykin, despite a less than clean 63% completion rate, finished the game against Texas Tech with 485 yards passing and four touchdowns in a 55-52 escape in Lubbock. Boykin's confidence is soaring through the roof as of late, and defenses just don't have an answer. That's why TCU is the team to beat in the Big 12.

With difficult road games remaining at Oklahoma State and Oklahoma, along with the much anticipated home contest against Baylor on Black Friday, TCU still has a lot of football left play before being declared "the best" in the Big 12. However, with Boykin performing the way he has as of late, it's hard to pick another team that will defeat the Horned Frogs. He's just reading the field that well and looking at what defenses are giving him. With Baylor's Seth Russell out for the season with a neck injury, TCU has perhaps closed the gap between the two as favorites in the conference. 

Even with Baylor's promising true freshman backup quarterback in Jarrett Stidham, and perhaps the best receiving core in the country, TCU's Boykin is playing at another level right now. He's making passes you wouldn't believe and not turning the ball over. Their quarterback play is less of a wildcard than what we can expect from the rest of the Big 12 favorites moving forward.

Holgorsen claimed once again that Boykin is the best player in college football following his team's loss to TCU. Similar to former Kansas State receiver Tyler Lockett, the WVU head coach said he is glad he doesn't have to see Boykin again after losing to the quarterback three of four years. 

As a senior, Boykin's completion percentage is at 66.7 percent, a jump from 61.2 percent a season ago. Sacks per game have dropped from 1.77 to 0.71, passing touchdowns per game have increased from 2.54 to 3.57, and passing yards per game have augmented from 300.08 to 362.71. Across the board, Boykin has been efficient and explosive.

TCU has explosive weapons on offense, including receiver Josh Doctson, who has 71 receptions for 1,250 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. Along with guys like running back Aaron Green, who has eight rushing touchdowns in eight games, and speedsters Kolby Listenbee and KaVontae Turpin, Boykin will look to get everyone involved as the peak of the Big 12 slate nears. 

While Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma will be huge tests for TCU, Boykin gives the Horned Frogs what they need to be the team to beat in the Big 12.

Amit Batra
Amit Batra

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