Last season: 11-2 (7-2 in Big 12, T-2nd)

Coach: Gary Patterson (143-47 in 15 seasons, all at TCU)

Star watch

Josh Carraway, DE: The Flower Mound Marcus product was one of the mainstays on a defense that was decimated by injuries last season. Carraway was fourth in the Big 12 in sacks and will benefit from the return of fellow defensive end James McFarland. Carraway was one of the best ends in the Big 12 last season and is on the preseason all-conference team this year.

Travin Howard, LB: Howard moved from safety to linebacker because of injuries last season and emerged as one of TCU’s best defenders. The Longview native led the Frogs with 105 tackles, which was good for fourth in the conference. Howard also led the team with three forced fumbles and had a season-high 19 tackles against Baylor. He was named the Defensive MVP of the Alamo Bowl after he notched a team-high 13 tackles in the triple-overtime win over Oregon.

James McFarland, DE: McFarland was tied for sixth in the conference in sacks in 2014 and was primed for a big senior year before he broke his toe on a wayward sprinkler head in the season opener against Minnesota. He’s back after a redshirt season and gives the Frogs another big presence on the defensive line.

Breakout candidates

Kenny Hill, QB: The Texas A&M transfer still has to prove he can be a dependable quarterback at the college level. Hill threw for 2,649 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his lone season at College Station but eventually lost his job to Kyle Allen, who is now at Houston. A year off seems to have matured Hill significantly, which could bring huge on-field returns during his junior season.

Montrel Wilson, LB: Wilson saw significant playing time as a freshman but could blossom as TCU’s middle linebacker. He’s coming off a year with 61 tackles and seven starts and gives depth to a young position that also includes sophomore Ty Summers.

Ranthony Texada, DB: As a redshirt freshman in 2014, the Frisco Centennial product showed glimpses of why he was highly recruited out of high school. But in 2015, he appeared in only the first three games before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Expect him to make a strong comeback this season.

Why TCU could be better

The Horned Frogs incurred injury after injury last season and still managed to finish 11-2, with both of those losses coming to the conference’s Oklahoma schools. The injures allowed young players to gain experience, especially on defense. That defense returns eight starters and will be bolstered by the likes of McFarland and safety Kenny Iloka. Offensively, TCU lost its two best players (QB Trevone Boykin and WR Josh Doctson), but Kenny Hill could regain the form he showed early during his quarterback days at Texas A&M. And if Kyle Hicks becomes a dependable running back and offsets the loss of backup Shaun Nixon (out for season with an undisclosed injury), the Horned Frogs could challenge Oklahoma for the Big 12 title.

Why TCU could be worse

There’s always a chance injuries could take a toll on the Horned Frogs for yet another season. And this time, the outcome could be much worse than last year’s two-loss season. The big question surrounding the team will be quarterback play. If Kenny Hill stumbles and Foster Sawyer can’t get it done either, the offense could have trouble moving the ball. Three returning offensive starters could spell trouble for the Frogs if the new players can’t produce.

Three games to circle on the calendar

1. Oklahoma: TCU’s second game of Big 12 play will be on Oct. 1 against the Sooners, who edged TCU by a point last season. Oklahoma will be coming off a bye, but if TCU can win at Amon G. Carter Stadium, the Horned Frogs will have the inside track to the Big 12 title.

2. Arkansas: The Razorbacks look like the toughest nonconference team TCU has faced since joining the Big 12 in 2012. A win against an SEC team on Sept. 10 would look great on the team’s playoff résumé.

3. Baylor: Even with the coaching change, the Bears still are among the most talented teams in the conference. And like every rivalry game, anything can happen when they meet in Waco on Nov. 5.

Schedule

Total record: 9-3 (6-3 in Big 12)

Summing it up

It’s hard to figure out what to make of TCU. The team doesn’t bring back much talent on offense, but we will get to see if Kenny Hill can find his way in the Big 12. If he does and TCU doesn’t get hit with a ton of injuries again, expect the Horned Frogs to be in contention for the conference title.

Twitter: @Ben_Baby

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