As we get deeper into November and Saturdays’ Senior Day home finale for this year, the over-arching thought comes to mind as I think of TCU vs. Kansas.

Who’s got what?

TCU is coming off a 63-17 blowout loss to a very good Oklahoma State team. Better than the CFP committee has them ranked.

Quentin Johnston had five receptions for 152 yards for his third 100-yard game in the last four contests. Courtesy of TCU Athletics | Photo by Ellman Photography

What will the Frogs have in the tank emotionally this Saturday and who will play? Interim Coach Jerry Kill said he’s never seen anything like the injury flu that the Frogs have suffered through this season. That’s 40 years of coaching experience saying that and the Frogs will likely have to move some players around to get through this one. Last week, they had to move Ahmonte Watkins from cornerback to running and he did pretty well: four carries for 21 yards and he caught two passes. Coach Kill said he and his staff may have to get creative again this week just to have decent depth at quarterback. The list of the injured/not available is long, but those who can go have to get up off the mat and get ready. What will the Frogs have?

Kansas is coming off its biggest win in forever. A 57-56 basketball on grass OT win over Texas. In Austin. With two wins all year, fans are starting to believe what new coach Lance Leipold is saying. If you’re not familiar with Coach Leipold, then Google him and give him a listen. He’s Jim Wacker-ish with his message and his delivery and, like Wacker, has won everywhere he’s coached. He won at Wisconsin-Whitewater, his alma mater, and at Buffalo. He’s now taken on a mess at Kansas and seems to be moving Kansas in the right direction one play at a time. He reminds me of my old coach. The only thing missing is a “Sonuvagun!” or an “Unbeleeevable!!”

The question again is what will Kansas have left after the emotionally draining extended game at Texas?

Kansas has been working through the depth chart all year trying to find the right combination.

On offense, Kansas has played two quarterbacks, #17 Jason Bean and #6 Jalon Daniels. It’s Daniels who had the hot hand at Texas last week and led the Jayhawks to the upset. KU got a big recruiting prize with freshman running back #4 Devin Neal. He’s run for 648 yards and has three 100-yard games this year (Duke, Oklahoma, Texas). Slot receiver #8 Kwamie Lassiter is slippery and he has 1404 career receiving yards. He showed up in a big way last week, tying his career high with eight catches at Texas to go along with his third TD of the season.

Defensively, Kansas is still trying to figure it out. At Texas, it gave up 574 yards and 56 points after giving up close to 500 yards to Kansas State and 535 to Oklahoma State. The Jayhawks are allowing close to 500 yards per game, they’re last in the nation in scoring defense, and they’re not very effective on third downs. There’s work to do here and it probably won’t be solved without some recruiting to find larger, better defensive linemen. The Jayhawks get no pressure.

Frog fans, as a former player I can tell you that Senior Day is an emotional time. For most of the players, this is it. Their organized football career is coming to an end. You hug your coach and run out on the field and five minutes later you have to have your tears dried, your breath caught and go play. This has been an excruciating couple of years for these 18 TCU seniors who’ll take a bow Saturday for the last time at The Carter. Between the pandemic and a disappointing season, they’ve been through it. Perhaps no class in TCU Football history has had to go through so much just to get to the field. Come out and support them and say thanks. And be a part of their “what.”

We’ll be on the air LIVE on the Horned Frog Sports Network at 2 p.m. CT for what should be a beautiful day. Great weather and 72 degrees at kickoff.

Until then,

Kick ‘Em High!