TCU vs. Baylor. It’s not the first game of the season, but it’s the first game between two relevant teams with a prayer of being competitive. So, in spirit, we’ll call this the start of the football season. Here’s a brief look at the two teams.

TCU: Magical 13-0 season last year, but the Horned Frogs will be depleted heading into 2011. The defense lost 4/5 starters in the secondary. The offense lost Andy Dalton, four offensive line starters and three of their top four receivers. The good news? Dalton’s replacement Casey Pachall completed 67 percent of his passes and had a 176.1 passer rating last sesaon. The bad news? It was in nine attempts. Judging by his tats he’s a tough guy, so he should not be fazed by the pressure.

Baylor: Art Briles scored a huge coup by hiring Phil Bennett, architect of Pittsburgh’s top ten defense last year, as defensive coordinator, but the Bears remain ridiculously one-sided. “Ridiculously” because their offense should be absolutely ridiculous. They bring back dual-threat Heisman dark-horse Robert Griffin III, a veteran offensive line and multiple options at wide receiver and running back.

Prediction: TCU should be worse. Baylor should be better. The venue moves to Waco. All three facts indicate this will be closer than last year’s 45-10 curb-stomping. Still predicting TCU to cover, until I see otherwise. 35-24 Horned Frogs.

[Photo via Getty]