Well, here we go. Game 11 and the Frogs are in a spot.

Sure, they’ve suffered tons of injuries and the pollsters and the national media have called for last rights, but I see it another way. The Frogs are in a spot to launch. And you should relish this situation. It’s one that GP and his staff have been in before (see Louisville ’02, BYU ’05, Boise ’11, Southern Miss ’01, OU ’05), and they can pull out all the stops in order to make the Frogs the best team on this one day. And it’s a day that will be paid attention to by those same national media and CFP voters … just to make sure there’s nothing going on at Memorial Stadium. For me, it couldn’t be better. Meacham & Co. will have a game plan to surprise and add spark, I’m sure … no matter who’s playing QB.

This is not as big a reach as you think. The 2005 TCU team that won in Norman pulled a HUGE upset and while they were quick and good, they didn’t have near the depth that this 2015 team does and they weren’t 9-1, thus, my stance.

Keys to the game:

• Be good on first down on both sides of the ball. Get something on first down when TCU has the ball. Stop the run with OU has it.

• Use misdirection and trick plays to slow OU’s attacking front seven. Let the OU defensive line take themselves out of the play.

• Be GREAT in the kicking game. KaVontae Turpin could carry the day.

• Force turnovers. In a game like this one – when the wind is blowing hard out of the north – field position will be key. Take it away and take a win back to Fort Worth.

• Play loose and have fun. It’s OU who’s supposed to win. The experts all say so. No pressure, no problems, I always say.

Kick ‘Em High!

Take a deep breath, Frog Fans. Now, take another. Relax. And I mean RELAX. This is your mid-week therapy session.

Since I got off the air after Saturday afternoon’s win over Kansas (that got the Frogs to 9-1), I’ve been bombarded with texts, questions, negative thoughts and dirges from down-in-the-mouth Frog fans who think this season is lost.

Sure, Trevone turned an ankle. It happens. It’s college football. Welcome to the corner of Unhealthy & Unhappy. But wait a minute. Time to count your purple blessings-all nine of them.

This TCU Football season has been great and, despite enough injuries to rival a war movie, the Frogs are still in “the conversation.”  Twenty-three different players lost to injury and still 9-1. That shows depth. Big-time depth. The kind of depth that “those” types of programs have. Forever you’ve heard that college football saying, uttered in the most respectful tone:

“Ohio State, Nebraska, USC, Notre Dame … they don’t rebuild, they reload.”   

Well, Coach P and staff have been reloading like Davey Crockett at The Alamo. So far, so good, I say. Pass the powder horn.

It could be the other way around. Let’s take a look back:

• 30 years ago TCU sat at 3-7 (0-7 in the SWC) with Texas A&M still to play (and no it wasn’t pretty).  53-6 to cap off senior day.

• Or give a nose to the bouquet offered by this Cabernet Sauvignon from 40 years ago:  TCU sat at 0-10 with a November 22nd date with Rice to go.  TCU won 28-21 to avoid going winless.   Anybody want to guess the attendance?

Further, I’ll offer this question to you: How many other teams have records worse than TCU? I counted ‘em. Out of 128 Football Bowl Subdivision programs, 115 have records worse than the Frogs, and 12 have records that are the same or better. Only five are 10-0: Ohio State, Clemson, Oklahoma State, Iowa and Houston.

It’d be hard for TCU to be in much better shape, record-wise. And you’re headed toward another bowl game. Now exhale!

Feeling better now? Good. See you in Norman.

Kick ‘Em High!

A loss at Oklahoma State amidst a road trip where nearly nothing went right. A drop in the polls. Myriad questions about Josh Doctson that seem to be never-ending. And talk that this season is lost. NOT.

What I believe is lost in this hurricane of ring bologna, opinions, poll discussions and conjecture is that the Frogs have had enough. They’re ready to get back on the field. And Play. Saturday’s game against Kansas is just what the doctor ordered, not just because it’s winless Kansas, but because it’s a chance for the Frogs to breathe and let it all out.

Gary Patterson’s beat up, injury-riddled Frogs have held it together to this point to get to 8-1. Head trainer David Gable’s been busy. This is the Anti-2014, when the Frogs lost all of two players (BJ Catalon and Mike Tuaua) to season ending injury late in the year. This year, it’s been an average of about 1.5 a week. Coach GP said this week it would be wrong for him to criticize his team because they’ve done a great job filling in, making do and getting to 8 wins. Damn right.

If the College Football Playoff committee considered depth as a component of ranking, the Frogs would be No. 1 – easily. No team in the nation has dipped deeper into the depth chart, redshirt vault and scout team than TCU. That’s the silver lining and it’s blinding. The Frogs are piling up experience and depth and there’s a training room full coming back next year. Smile, Frog fans.

Now to the business at hand: It’s a three-game season, and the Frogs can beat everyone on the schedule. Wind ’em up and let em go.

The rebound starts with Kansas, a team that has lots of needs. In fact, they remind me of teams I played on at TCU in the early 80’s: a smattering of talent, lacking depth, lacking offense and desperately trying to learn how to win. Thanks to former KU head coach Charlie Weis, the Jayhawks numbers are way down. Massive move-in (and then move out) of junior college recruits over two recruiting classes by Weis left new KU head man David Beaty with fewer than 75 scholarship players in the 85-scholarship era. (To frame that low number for your, FCS teams like Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston State, Appalachian State have 65 scholarships). Walk-ons make up the balance of the squad. Bottom line: the Jayhawks need players, and they hope Coach Beaty and his Texas ties will bring talent from the Lone Star State to Lawrence to build up the program.

Things to know about KU:

• The Jayhawks played one of their best games against Texas last week, scoring 20 points. (That’s the most in Big 12 play since they scored 20 against Texas Tech a month ago.) They’ve scored more than 23 just once.
• The Jayhawks have not won a road game since in 2009. They’ve lost 37 straight road tilts and haven’t won a Big 12 road game since 2008.
• KU has been pesky – the Frogs average margin of victory in three previous Big 12 games against Kansas is just 9.3 points.
• KU and TCU had quite a rivalry, playing each other every year from 1944-1964, when a dispute over a recruit ended one of the Frogs longest-running non-conference series.

Tomorrow is Senior Day, and this group of players deserve your support as they’re presented tomorrow. This group has been through a lot, and the 5^th year seniors have won two conference championships in their time: 2011 MWC and the 2014 Big 12. Can they win a third?

Kick ‘Em High!

Happy November Frog Fans! Welcome to the Funhouse of College Football.

Much like those classic attractions at the state fair with mirrored walls, moving floors, rolling barrels and sudden shocks that pull all types of emotions out of us, college football’s seductive stretch drive is here. Frustrating College Football Playoff poll chatter, discussions of who’s the real “power” in the Power 5 and a Thursday night game between Baylor and Kansas State that held my attention to the end distracted and moved me all while I was trying to study up on Oklahoma State.

Four games to go: two on the road, two at home. And a ticket to the playoff hanging on every snap. Exactly where you want to be. Sure, it can be frustrating to see the Frogs roll out at No. 8, but there’s a long way to go. Remember, too, that Ohio State got to the pinnacle from the 16 spot in the first playoff poll last year. Lots of things are going to happen as we round the clubhouse turn in 2015. Thankfully, most of the committee’s work will be done for them … on the field.

Speaking of field, let’s turn out attention to Lewis Field. That’s what they used to call the stadium at Oklahoma State (now Boone Pickens Stadium) before Mr. Pickens stepped in and triggered a renewal in OSU Athletics. Trivia Item No. 2: Did you know that OSU used to be called Oklahoma A&M?

Other questions await with answers coming tomorrow at 2:30 Central time. Can the Frogs quiet the raucous crowd that well lean over the wall into their bench area? Boone Pickens Stadium is a snake pit for visiting teams. A fast start for the Frogs is a must to keep Cowboy fans quiet. Trevone Boykin will need to make the most of this opportunity against what may be the best (and most healthy) defense the Frogs have faced yet.

What’s most mysterious about OSU is that, much like the Frogs, they’ve survived close games and have found ways to win. And they’ve made it a habit. Oklahoma State (8-0) boasts one of the best defensive lines in the nation, led by Houston native Emmanuel Ogbah. He’s a beast who is on pace for another double-digit year in the Sack Dept. He had 11 last year.  The Frogs need to know where he is at all times. Linebacker Jordan Burton is highly active, coming off a 13-tackle day last week at Texas Tech.

Offensively, Oklahoma State flies in the face of traditional college football knowledge. The old coaching adage is, “If you have two quarterbacks, you have none.” Au contraire, says Cowboys’ Maître d’ Mike Gundy. He has a passer in Mason Rudolph, and a versatile runner/spark plug in J.W. Walsh. It’s a system that’s working for Gundy & Co.

They don’t always stay in character, either. Last week, Walsh, the runner, had two touchdown passes in excess of 70 yards, so the Frogs can’t just load up to defend the run when Walsh enters the game. Walsh’s dad, John, is the head football coach at Denton Guyer High School, so he’s got the game in his blood.

Keys for this one are going to involve the trenches. How the Frogs’ offensive line handles OSU’s front will be critical. The Cowboys will dial up stunts to increase pressure on TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin.

On the other side, the Frogs’ defense will have to contain Walsh and his zone-read magic. He’s good and running back Chris Carson (originally a Georgia commit) can find daylight.

And don’t forget the deep ball. The Frogs have to be mindful of James Washington, who burned Texas Tech for long pass plays last week (75 and 73 yards). To sum it up, there’s a lot to defend, but I like the way the Frogs’ defensive line has looked the last two games: fresh and fast. I expect to see more tomorrow.

Speaking of fresh, remember that the Frogs have had 10 days to recharge and repair after the West Virginia win. That’s something that seems lost on folks this week.

It’ll be sunny and 62 in Stillwater, and the field at Boone Pickens Stadium is a fast track (artificial turf).

Looking for 9-0!

Kick ‘Em High!

The Frogs tee it up tonight with Halloween looming this weekend. “The Carter” will be rockin’ with a full-on blackout and another sellout crowd.

Trick or Treat? The second season is here.

A five-game gauntlet awaits the Frogs. Three at home. Two on the road. Three of them against ranked teams. Two trips to the state of Oklahoma: one against a Cowboys team that just keeps winning, and one against an OU team that’s just mad and may be the most dangerous of the five remaining. And a finale against a wounded Bear who is now young at heart. Buckle up, Frog fans. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

But that’s what you want. Remember back in July when you were craving college football? You were almost seven months into your withdrawal, and you’d watched all your archived games on your DVR or on DVD? That 1998 Sun Bowl is just as good the 118^th time, huh? But nothing satisfies like the new season. Well, here it is in a nice, neat five-week package … full of tricks!

As I always say, in September, you can draw a line from the result of a game to the depth chart. That’s when teams are fine-tuning. In November, though, you draw lines from scores directly to your team’s post-season fate. It gets serious, and it gets your attention. Just like the old days, TCU would much rather be in the Cotton Bowl (one of the College Football Playoff semifinal sites), instead of the Sugar Bowl, a New Year’s Six game this year. Did I just write that???

Be careful with West Virginia. Sure, they’ve lost three straight, but look who they fell to: OU, Baylor and OSU – three hurdles still on the menu for the No. 5 Frogs. And they have a crafty coach. I like Dana Holgersen and what he does with his offense. He likes balance and he loves the screen game. WVU won’t be afraid to run the ball, and TCU will get tested early.

On defense, the Mountaineers load their muskets with a 3-3-5 scheme that disguises blitzes and makes reads tough. Because of all that movement, the linebackers are sometimes late to the party, especially on blitzes. This could open the door for big plays for TCU. Additionally, if I was coaching WVU’s defense, we’d be working on tackling.

If you like kickers, as I do, this is your game. Jaden Oberkrom has made more field goals that anyone who’s ever taken a swing at it at TCU. Josh Lambert for WVU is strong and can hit from long-range, as can Oberkrom. These guys have ended the last two games in this series. You may see some long kicks tonight.

Something else to look for tonight: Abby Faber, the little girl and Iowa State fan, who has become Trevone Boykin’s new best friend, will be in the house tonight. Keep your eyes open for her. Now that’s a treat!!!

Oh, and how about Coach Jill Kramer and the VolleyFrogs???  Love that “net” result over Texas last night!

Kick ‘Em High!!

TCU alums Bradley Lovell ’10 and David Smart ’13 were reppin’ the Horned Frogs this week at the northern terminus of the Pacific Crest Trail. The 2,658-mile route follows a continuous hiking trail from the California-Mexico border to the Washington-Canada border. “It took us nearly six months,” Smart wrote us just three days after completing the journey. “We started the journey on April 23 and completed on October 17. We’re so glad we had the opportunity to represent such an amazing school!” Smart and Lovell are graduates of the Neeley School of Business and hail from Dallas.

Howdy from Ames, Iowa! We woke up to assurance that it is indeed autumn. The thermometer read 30 this morning.

That’s just a reminder that we are on the road and that the Frogs need to heat up early tonight against Iowa State.

The Cyclones can run the ball. Recall last week’s tussle at K-State? The Frogs’ defense will need to carry over last Saturday’s second-half effort early in this one. ISU running back Mike Warren is the hottest ball-carrier in the country over the last month, averaging 8.8 yards per tote, and he shredded Texas Tech for 245 rushing yards last week.

Iowa State’s offensive line is best when run blocking, so the Frogs need to make the Cyclones believe that they’re a passing team, much like what TCU did to KSU last week after halftime. If the ‘Clones do decide to throw, there are weapons at wide receiver in the Cardinal & Gold: D’vario Montgomery (6-6) and Allen Lazard (6-5) are tall matchup problems, and No. 9 Quenton Brundrage can fly. Don’t forget that Iowa State’s offensive coordinator is Mark Mangino, former head coach at Kansas, who’s a master game-planner.

On defense, Iowa State has gotten better. They needed to. Last year, ISU was dead last in the nation in total defense. They gave up an average of 571 yards per game in Big 12 play.

This year, they’re up to No. 101 in the nation — not great but a jump ahead. Nose tackle Demond Tucker is my favorite. He’s a big-time player for Iowa State, maybe the biggest recruit head coach Paul Rhoads has landed in his seven years at the helm. The linebackers are OK, but the secondary is the strength of the ISU defense. I think the Frogs will test that ISU secondary early.

All in all, the Frogs’ seventh week of the season should be their best. I believe this team has learned its lessons well — especially last week’s close shave.

Kick ‘Em High!

It’s the halfway point in the regular season, and here’s what to look for (along with a few musical references) as the Frogs are On The Road Again (Willie Nelson) to a place they’ve not yet won in as a member of the Big 12.

Coming off the explosive win over Texas, Coach P hinted that the light is starting go on for some of his young defensive players. I’d say so.

It’s That Time of the Season (The Zombies) when players hit another gear mentally and you can tell the difference. A lot of it has to do with the consulting firm of Pierson & Tuaua, experts in adding heart and fuel to defense.

The offense has hit another gear as well and running like a new Mercedes! A surprisingly explosive running game has been complimented as expected by the air game and Josh Doctson. But it’s the New Kid in Town (Eagles), KaVontae Turpin whose time has come.

Kansas State is as beat up on offense as the Frogs have been on defense, and the next new quarterback they run out will be their sixth of 2015.

Keys for the Frogs are to start fast and take advantage of their speed. Defensively, the Frogs have to get K-State off the field, or they’ll play “keep away” and shorten the game.

Bill Snyder is a master game planner, and he’ll have his beat-up troop ready to face the Purple Rain (Prince). The Frogs only win in Manhattan came in 1985 by a score of 24-22. Hopefully, this will be The Second Time Around (Sinatra).

See you on the radio at 5:30 p.m. on the TCU Sports Network, live from Manhattan.

Kick ‘Em High!

Happy Homecoming, Horned Frogs!

In a Homecoming game matchup that never would have happened in my day, the Frogs welcome the Texas Longhorns to Amon G. Carter Stadium for an 11 o’clock kick. It’s Breakfast at The Carter!!!

I’m surprised a bit by the early kick time, given that the Frogs are No. 4 in the nation, and Texas always draws a huge audience. But the upside is that the Frogs/Horns are nationwide on ABC as soon as “ESPN College Gameday” is over.

This game features two teams battling different sets of problems and challenges. The Frogs are clinging to a Top 5 ranking without most of their defensive starters and young players are getting a lot of “OJT” (see footnote).   The Horns, on the other hand, are just trying to find the inside pieces to the puzzle — and their season has been puzzling so far — to all Orangebloods.

After looking a gear behind against Notre Dame, Texas has looked better the last three weeks. They’re improving, but they’ve been victimized by meltdowns on fourth down that involve putting foot to leather — a missed PAT against Cal that would have sent the game to overtime, and last week, the punter failed to follow Step 1 in The Punting Handbook: CATCH THE SNAP.

Nonetheless, Charlie Strong’s crew will come in and play hard, believing that the odds are going to swing in their favor sooner than later. Speaking of Sooner, Oklahoma awaits the ‘Horns next week in Dallas. But don’t think for a minute that the Horns will be looking ahead. They’re focused on the Frogs, and here’s how they’ll attack TCU:

1. Jerrod Heard will run off TCU coverage with long pass patterns — UT has some good receivers — and try to use his legs to keep Texas in the game. Heard is the leading rusher for the Longhorns, and he is the key to this offense. Five-star running back Johnathan Gray is still trying to overcome the effects of an Achilles’ injury and the surgery that slowed him last year. So look for UT to use multiple backs.
2. They’ll throw deep and try to hit the big play. Marcus Johnson had a huge game against TCU in the Storm Game two years ago in Fort Worth, and he’s to be respected. One-time TCU commit Daje Johnson is a threat to toast a defensive back every time the ball is snapped.
3. When the Frogs have the ball, watch for the ‘Horns to take chances and blitz TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin. Texas likes to bring linebackers from the edge, and defensive tackle Hassan Ridgeway, at 314 pounds, brings it up the middle. The Longhorns will have to pick their spots though, as Horned Frog wide receiver Josh Doctson loves to find the open spaces created by blitzes. A chess match to watch Saturday, for sure.

It was great to see TCU defensive tackle Davion Pierson bring attitude to the Frogs defense last week. You might see Mike Tuaua back on the field this week doing the same.

For the Frogs, I think they just need to keep doing what they’re doing. They are starting to find real rhythm on offense. Saturday could be another one of those record days of 700-plus yards of total offense.

Defensively, the Frogs are getting better each week. Experience earned now will pay huge dividends down the stretch.

Have a great Homecoming Weekend, enjoy the great weather, and …

Kick ‘Em High!!!!

Trevone Boykin and the Horned Frog offense will have to run the ball to keep Texas Tech’s defense on the field.

As we head to the South Plains for a visit with Texas Technical College (Tech’s original name), both teams are approaching this game from different places than what might have been anticipated before the season.

Tech is 3-0 and hot, coming off a win over Arkansas (in Fayetteville) last weekend. Their offense is back to its old self, and the defense is showing signs of improvement, especially creating turnovers. Tech still has trouble stopping the run (more on that later), but new defensive coordinator David Gibbs may just be the “offseason hire of the year” in the Big 12. He’s definitely had an impact.

A sold-out crowd will greet the Frogs Saturday afternoon at AT&T Jones Stadium. It will be loud, and Tech fans, believing that their team should be ranked, will be ready to distract the No. 2/3 Frogs.

Taking the crowd out of the game will be key. That means a fast start by the offense.

Here are some other huge factors to the game:

• The Frogs have to control the ball (and the clock) to protect their ad hoc defense. Those guys are playing hard, but it’s not the crew Coach P and the defensive staff envisioned a month ago. So you have to give them all the help you can. I think that means running the ball – yes, I said it – even though the Air Raid offense rules at TCU. This season’s situation calls for alternate measures. The Frogs have done a good job on the ground at 231 yards per game. Meanwhile, Tech’s run defense is ranked No. 122 in the nation, giving up 257 yards per contest. Sam Houston State ran for 317 on the Scarlet & Black. Sure, throw it when it’s there, but running the ball and running the clock is good for all 22 this week.

• Tacking is key in this one – and I mean on first contact. Tech’s receivers will make catches. The difference is stopping them at the point of the catch. Don’t allow them to get up-field with sloppy tackling. “Hunting together,” as Coach P likes to say is critical.

• Special teams play will be big in this one. Lubbock is a windy place, and it’s also a very bright place on a sunny day. Returners are going to have to secure the ball while fighting the sun while working from north to south. Punters and kickers are going to have to be solid at impact when kicking into the breeze.

• Frogs need a fast start. TCU has been good at this. So has Tech. The Red Raiders have scored on their opening possession in each of their first three games. If this turns out to be a shootout, it’s good to score first (and have the ball last).

Dinner’s at The Fifty Yard Line steakhouse tonight…a Lubbock legend.

Kick ‘Em High!