TheEdge

Passing offense

TCU
Redshirt freshman Tye Gunn will likely start for the Frogs. Senior Adrian Madise has become Gunn’s favorite target, averaging 75.5 receiving yards a game.

Louisville
Senior Dave Ragone leads the Louisville offense. He is ranked among the top quarterbacks in the nation by every major publication. Tight end Ronnie Ghent injured his knee while making a reception against Memphis and is out for the season. Senior Damien Dorsey and junior Dontay Spillman provide a solid 1-2 receiving punch for Ragone.

Edge: Louisville

Rushing offense

TCU
Junior Ricky Madison receives the start in this game. He destroyed Louisville’s defense last year for 156 yards on 31 carries. True freshman Lonta Hobbs will again be the change-of-pace back for the Frogs. Junior Kenny Hayter could also see action.

Louisville
Senior Henry Miller has nine rushing touchdowns. His 25-yard touchdown run in overtime was the game winner in Louisville’s stunning upset against then No. 4 Florida State. Ragone is also a threat to scramble, averaging almost 11 carries a game.

Edge: TCU

Passing defense

TCU
Senior Jason Goss has five interceptions in six games. Whenever there’s a big play on defense, look for senior safety Jared Smitherman. Redshirt freshman safety Jeremy Modkins is questionable with an injured shoulder.

Louisville
Louisville has the most talented secondary that TCU has faced all year. Senior Anthony Floyd intercepted 10 passes in 2000, and is frequently used on safety blitzes. Senior Curry Burns is a Jim Thorpe Award Candidate who has led Louisville in tackles for the last two seasons. Senior Michael Brown plays “Bandit” for Louisville, a cross between a linebacker and defensive back. TCU’s only reprieve is that Laroni Gallishaw, who leads the team in passes broken up, is suspended indefinitely for disciplinary reasons.

Edge: Louisville

Rushing defense

TCU
The Frogs are eighth in the nation in rushing yards allowed, as opponents average 2.3 yards a carry on the Frog D’.

Louisville
The Cardinals are only two spots behind the Frogs in the national rushing defense rankings. The Cardinals have put up similar numbers to TCU, but versus stronger competition. They also held Army to 26 yards on the ground, whereas TCU allowed 101.

Edge: Louisville

Special teams

TCU
Junior Nick Browne has only missed one field goal out of 16 all season, and that one was blocked. Senior LaTarence Dunbar averages 32.1 yards a kick return.

Louisville
Redshirt freshman Broderick Clark averages 29.8 yards on each kick return. Louisville is equally dynamic on punt returns. Dorsey averages 17.1 yards a punt return. Reserve redshirt freshman Brandon Johnson leads the nation with three blocked punts.

Edge: Louisville

Intangibles

TCU
TCU’s schedule became the weakest ranked in the nation after the Army game. A win against Louisville would help the Frogs gain momentum as they face a strong conference schedule the rest of the season.

Louisville
The Cardinals are still smarting from the pummeling they received at Amon Carter Stadium last year. Louisville coaches have complained to the media that TCU’s coaches assisted Kentucky, who defeated them 22-17 earlier in the season, in game planning.

Prediction: Louisville 28, TCU 17

— Jay Zuckerman