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Two years ago, the Horned Frogs were having to deal with life after LaDainian Tomlinson when Patterson, in his first year as head coach, led the Horned Frogs to their fourth straight bowl bid. Last year, the Horned Frogs had to replace veteran quarterback Casey Printers, but Patterson didn't panic. He inserted freshman Tye Gunn at quarterback in the second game and later took a redshirt off running back Lonta Hobbs. The combination carried the Horned Frogs to a 10-2 season, their first C-USA title and a win over Colorado State in the Liberty Bowl. While Patterson talks candidly about his shortcomings, he also speaks confidently of finding replacements. "[Last year's] team may have exceeded expectations outside these walls," Patterson says. "But inside, we felt we had a chance to be pretty good. We will try to treat this year just like we did going in a year ago when we were coming off a 6-5 season. We'll work like we're an underdog." OFFENSIVE KEYS: The Horned Frogs will welcome redshirt freshman Robert Merrill to the backfield this year, who along with 1,000-yard rusher Hobbs could give TCU the league's best 1-2 backfield punch.Hobbs wasn't the only impressive true freshman at TCU last fall. Gunn guided the Horned Frogs to wins in all four of his starts at quarterback and led an attack that averaged 40.5 points in those four games. Gunn's freshman campaign was cut short by a season-ending knee injury in a 37-7 win over Southern Miss, but he is expected to be at full strength in the fall. The team's top returning receiver, Reggie Harrell, is 6-foot-3 and presents matchup problems for opposing defensive backs. The offensive line is experienced. Left tackle Anthony Alabi, left guard John Glud and center Chase Johnson were starters last season. Alabi, a 6-6, 325-pound junior, is poised to become an all-conference player. Glud is the most experienced lineman and a smart player who rarely makes a mistake. Johnson, a blue-collar worker, is one of the league's top centers. DEFENSIVE KEYS: Patterson, the team's former defensive coordinator, knows a defensive strength when he sees it. His line will be the league's strongest.Four seniors anchor the group, led by nose tackle Chad Pugh and defensive end Bo Schobel, key figures in the nation's top rush defense. Both have All-America potential. Despite drawing double-teams most of the year, Pugh managed 16 tackles for lost yardage and 5.5 sacks. Schobel, who is 6-5 and the team's top pass rusher, had 19 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries. At linebacker, Patterson feels good about his top three -- junior Martin Patterson and senior Josh Goolsby, who will start, and senior Devon Davis, who backs up Goolsby. The secondary is Patterson's chief area of concern. Weak safety Marvin Godbolt, one of five defensive backs in the Horned Frogs' 4-2-5 alignment, is the most experienced of the group. He missed several games last year after suffering a high ankle sprain, but is back to make a push at All-America honors. He earned first-team freshman All-America recognition. SPECIAL TEAMS: TCU has the league's best kicker in Nick Browne, a Lou Groza Award candidate. Browne, a senior and former leading scorer for the men's soccer team, connected on 23-of-30 field goals. Junior John Braziel is expected to take over the punting duties.FINAL ANALYSIS: TCU's chances of defending its conference title appear strong, especially with the return of Hobbs and Gunn and another formidable defense. Although TCU suffered key losses in the secondary, its front six should be capable of giving the Horned Frogs another nationally ranked defense. Offensively, several receivers need to emerge to complement the league's best backfield and an emerging leader in Gunn. Several strong, Texas-dominated recruiting classes have given the Horned Frogs the ability to sustain injuries or replace ineffective starters.• Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
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