TCU cornerback unnecessarily pokes the bear ahead of Michigan CFP matchup
TCU cornerback Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson gave Michigan bulletin board material before their CFP matchup when he talked about speed vs. size.
If you wanted some fireworks before the Fiesta Bowl CFP semifinal between Michigan and TCU, you just got them courtesy of Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson.
Hodges-Tomlinson had a whole lot to say about the matchup with Michigan on Saturday, particularly regarding the difference between the Big 12 and the Big Ten.
“We’re way faster than any team that they’ve seen,” Hodges-Tomlinson said at Fiesta Bowl media day, per Trevor Woods of Maize N Brew. “What comes with speed is power. I feel like it’ll be different for them.”
Hodges-Tomlinson implied that defensive speed could have a major aspect for TCU trying to shut down the Michigan offense and quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
“Whenever something wrong happens, he has to be able to make a check or he has to extend plays,” the CB said. “He’s done that in their conference. So you know man, kudos to him.”
The underlying question there is whether McCarthy will be able to do the same against a Big 12 defense.
TCU CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson gave Michigan bulletin board material
It doesn’t sound like Hodges-Tomlinson is a believer in Big Ten teams and their ability to keep up with the speed TCU brings to the table.
“Just understand that they’re in the Big Ten, they like to talk about size and stuff like that. At the end of the day, size does not play a role in football,” he said. “We’re just ready for the job at hand. I hope the best for them, I just want them to understand that we’re coming.”
The idea that size doesn’t play a role in football is a new one. It’s certainly not the only factor in winning, but it’s a factor. If any of Hodges-Tomlinson’s quotes come back to haunt him, it’s probably that one.
The Thorpe Award winner has put his money where his mouth is this season while leading the Horned Frog defense to the College Football Playoff. So if anyone on TCU’s team wanted to talk, Hodges-Tomlinson is worthy.
“They’re a solid team,” he said. “So we’ll see how it goes.”
We definitely will.
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