David Pollack picks TCU to upset BYU

As BYU looks to bounce back from its first loss of the season, former ESPN analyst David Pollack believes another upset could be brewing. On the See Ball Get Ball Podcast, Pollack broke down the Cougars’ matchup with 6-3 TCU and ultimately picked the Horned Frogs to go on the road and pull out a tight win.

“BYU, I think after last week, it goes immediately, kind of like with Cincinnati, ‘How do I really feel about BYU? Do I really think they’re that good?’” Pollack said. BYU was beaten by Texas Tech in Week 11, a 22-point defeat that exposed some cracks. Despite an 8-1 record, Pollack said the loss raised legitimate questions about how elite the No. 12 team in the country actually is.

TCU, meanwhile, comes in frustrated but dangerous. Sitting at 6-3 after a tough 20–17 loss to Iowa State, the Horned Frogs have shown flashes of being one of the Big 12’s most explosive teams. Pollack believes that offensive firepower is exactly what makes them a threat Saturday night.

“TCU should be in this race. They shouldn’t have lost to Iowa State, but they did,” Pollack added. “They have an explosive offense. They got explosive playmakers, explosive receivers that can win on the outside. If you haven’t seen Eric McAlister, he’s the Big 12 leader in receiving yards for a reason. I mean, he’s really good. Jordan Dwyer’s good. Like, they’re good on the outside. Josh Hoover’s a good QB. They can make plays. They’re going to score.”

Hoover has been one of the league’s statistical standouts, with 2,690 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in his fourth year with the program. His connection with his receivers in McAlister and Dwyer has made TCU one of the Big 12’s top passing offenses.

On the other hand, BYU is led by dual-threat quarterback Bear Bachmeier (12 passing TDs, 9 rushing TDs), and he’s leaned on physicality, efficiency and his defense. Pollack believes that might not be enough against the Horned Frogs and their playmakers though.

“BYU got aggressive, played more man to man,” Pollack said of their defensive approach. “Are they going to be able to do that against TCU? I don’t think you will with those weapons. Like, those weapons on the outside will sting you if you choose to do that.”

With the matchup set for Saturday night at 10:15 p.m. ET on ESPN, Pollack expects a competitive, back-and-forth contest. But in his eyes, the matchup favors the visitors: “I got this one 27–24. Like, super close, back and forth possibly. I got another upset. I got TCU winning the football game,” he predicted.

It’s a familiar rivalry renewed, as the longtime WAC and Mountain West foes now meeting again as Big 12 members. TCU enters with a 7–5 edge all-time, including last year’s dominant 44–11 win. If Pollack is right, the Horned Frogs will add another chapter Saturday night.