TCU football is running out of opportunities to turn its season around, and Saturday's Halloween matchup against Kansas might be one of the Horned Frogs' most important games of the year.

Sonny Dykes' team enters the contest at 3-4 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play following a disappointing 24-20 home loss to West Virginia. Kansas arrives with an identical record after rallying to defeat Baylor 25-24.

MORE: TCU’s 75-0 Yardage Pattern Ends In Crushing Home Loss To West Virginia

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT at Amon G. Carter Stadium, with FS1 televising the game.

For TCU, the biggest concern is an offense that hasn't consistently converted opportunities into points despite encouraging performances from quarterback Jaden Craig.

Craig has thrown for 2,066 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions this season.

He delivered 372 passing yards against West Virginia, but the Horned Frogs still couldn't finish enough drives to secure a victory.

Wide receiver Ed Small leads TCU with 38 receptions for 514 yards, while Jordan Dwyer has emerged as another important target.

However, injuries in the backfield could complicate the offensive game plan against Kansas.

Leading rusher Jeremy Payne, who has accumulated 429 yards and two touchdowns, is questionable after missing the West Virginia game.

Running back Landon Walker is also questionable with an undisclosed injury.

Linebacker M. Short has been listed as unavailable, while kicker Kyle Lemmermann and wide receiver F. Fierro have appeared on injury reports with uncertain status.

Their availability remains subject to updated game-week reports.

Kansas has its own injury concerns.

Quarterback Cole Ballard has been sidelined with a shoulder injury, while running back Kewan Amachree has been listed out.

Wide receiver Keaton Kubecka and several additional offensive reserves have also appeared on the Jayhawks' injury reports.

Kansas quarterback Isaiah Marshall presents a challenge for the Horned Frogs after throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns against Baylor.

Running back Dylan Edwards could be even more important. The Kansas State transfer rushed for 156 yards on 30 carries against the Bears and gives Kansas an opportunity to control possession.

That sets up an intriguing matchup against TCU's defense.

The Horned Frogs rank sixth nationally in total defense, allowing just 264.3 yards per game, and sixth in scoring defense at 13.9 points per contest.

Defensive standouts Koron Hayward, Jamel Johnson and Ansel Din-Mibuh have helped TCU maintain one of the Big 12's strongest units despite the team's losing record.

The question is whether the offense can finally provide enough support.

TCU has historically dominated Kansas, holding a 27-9-4 series advantage, including a 38-27 victory in their most recent meeting in 2024.

But history won't help much if the Horned Frogs continue leaving points on the field.

With upcoming games against Arizona, Kansas State, Utah and Texas Tech, Saturday represents one of TCU's more manageable opportunities to move closer to bowl eligibility.

A victory would improve the Horned Frogs to 4-4 and provide some badly needed momentum.

MORE: TCU Golf Surges Into Third As Charlie Wylie Sparks Ka’anapali Comeback

Another home loss would leave Dykes facing increasingly difficult questions about the direction of his program.

And with the season entering November, those answers can't wait much longer.

Source: Yahoo Sports