Abilene Christian vs. TCU: Pick vs. Spread and Top Storylines

TCU looked dominant in its 48-14 win over North Carolina, giving the Horned Frogs a surge of confidence heading into a Week 3 matchup with Abilene Christian. Quarterback Josh Hoover leads a high-powered TCU offense after throwing for 284 yards and a touchdown in the win. ACU enters the matchup at 1-1, coming off a victory over Stephen F. Austin.

Saturday’s non-conference matchup kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+, with TCU entering as a 37.5-point favorite. The over/under is set at 56.5 points. Here are two key players to watch in this game, followed by the top storylines for each team, and a prediction from Heartland College Sports.

Two Key Players to Watch

Jordan Dwyer (WR, TCU)

Wide receiver Jordyn Dwyer, a transfer from Idaho, wasted no time adjusting to Big 12 competition, hauling in nine catches for 136 yards and a touchdown in his TCU debut. With veteran quarterback Hoover leading the offense, the duo looks poised for another breakout performance. Dwyer’s speed and ability to stretch the field add another dangerous dimension to the Horned Frogs’ passing attack. If he continues to develop chemistry with Hoover, TCU’s offense could become even more difficult to contain as conference play approaches.

Jordon Vaughn (RB, Abilene Christian)

Abilene Christian’s rushing attack runs through running back Jordon Vaughn. For the Wildcats to hang with TCU, they’ll need to control the pace and establish the run early to limit the Horned Frogs’ possessions. Vaughn carried the load last week with 23 rushes for 87 yards and two touchdowns in the win. To have any shot at pulling off the upset, he’ll likely need to deliver a 100-plus-yard performance.

Two Key Storylines

Can TCU build off its dominant win against UNC?

When kickoff arrives on Saturday, it will have been 12 days since TCU last took the field. Teams can sometimes start slow after an extended break, so the Horned Frogs will need to set the tone early to avoid any hiccups. With an experienced roster and a talent edge across the board, this matchup presents another opportunity for TCU to dominate. Another sharp outing from Hoover would not only steady the Frogs early but also build more confidence as Big 12 play draws near.

ACU Searching for Answers Through the Air

Two games into the season, quarterback Stone Earle has yet to throw a touchdown pass. Facing a TCU defense that just dominated a strong North Carolina team, ACU will need to improve if it hopes to have a chance. The Wildcats can’t afford to be one-dimensional, especially against a Horned Frogs’ front that thrives on stopping the run and forcing long-yardage situations. Earle will need to make smart reads and connect with his playmakers early to keep TCU from stacking the box. Without a more balanced attack, ACU’s offense could quickly stall out.

Prediction: TCU 52, Abilene Christian 10

TCU enters this matchup rested, experienced, and carrying momentum from a dominant win over North Carolina. Hoover has the offense rolling, and with new weapons like Dwyer already producing, the Horned Frogs should be able to move the ball at will. Defensively, TCU’s unit has looked sharp, and it isn’t easy to imagine ACU consistently finding success against a Power Five front seven. TCU should keep its fast start rolling before turning its attention to next week’s matchup with SMU.