TCU’s Marcus Cannon is ready for his close-up

The position switch was not as drastic as, say, moving from running back to defensive end, but Texas Christian’s Marcus Cannon still had challenges.

Cannon, an All-Mountain West Conference selection at right tackle in 2009, moved to the more high-profile left tackle spot before this season.

He spent hours in his room practicing footwork.

“I was kind of nervous taking such a big weight on,� he said.

Cannon, a 6-foot-6, 350-pound senior, is hoping to produce a showcase performance Saturday when unbeaten TCU plays Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

The game features Wisconsin left tackle Gabe Carimi, the Outland Trophy winner as the nation’s top lineman. And Cannon could match up at times against Badgers defensive end J.J. Watt, a junior who is regarded as a possible first-round pick in the NFL draft.

Cannon, who was selected all-conference again this season, welcomes the attention that could be generated among NFL talent evaluators.

“If everybody is looking at me that’s a good thing,� he said.

Cannon’s main assignments will be protecting senior quarterback Andy Dalton and opening holes for running backs Ed Wesley, Matthew Tucker and Waymon James.

TCU has averaged 43.3 points and 491.5 yards a game.

Left guard Kyle Dooley (6 feet 3, 315 pounds), center Jake Kirkpatrick (6-3, 305), right guard Josh Vernon (6-2, 300) and right tackle Zach Roth (6-6, 316) are the other projected starters on the line.

Cannon said the offense does not feel overshadowed by the Horned Frogs’ top-ranked defense.

“We’re probably more proud of our defense than they are,� he said. “You go against a No. 1 defense every day, you’re bound to get better.�

Return engagement

TCU running back Aundre Dean, a Texas native, played in the Rose Bowl stadium for UCLA as a freshman in 2008.

Dean, a 6-foot, 215 pound sophomore, rushed for 22 yards in 10 carries for the Bruins before transferring to TCU.

Dean redshirted last season. He has gained 223 yards in 32 carries this season.

Quick hits

TCU is facing a Big Ten opponent for the first time since defeating Northwestern, 48-45, in double overtime in 2004. The Horned Frogs are 10-14-2 against Big Ten opponents. Wisconsin and TCU tied, 14-14, in 1970. … TCU is 11-13-1 in bowl games, 5-4 under Coach Gary Patterson.

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