The Horned Frogs treated us all to a delicious afternoon last Saturday in Fayetteville with a 28-7 win. TCU controlled the game throughout and did what they had to do to win on the road: they got off to a hot start, played great on third down on both sides of the ball, dominated time of possession and were more physical than their opponent. The running game was especially impressive. The Frogs wore down Arkansas and finished them off in the fourth quarter. Textbook road win.

I loved CBS’ Brad Nessler’s comment about Sewo Olonilua’s touchdown run at the end of the game: “That’s 13 yards of carnage right there.” I wish I’d said it.

What I left Arkansas thinking:

• This TCU team is very physical.
• Kenny Hill’s vision up-field is improved. His third down throw to Shawn Nixon in the second half was perfect.
• The offensive line was impressive in sparking the Frog’s power running game last Saturday. You have to knock people off the ball. They did.
• This defensive unit has the size and speed to be really good. And they’re physical.
• Defenders Ben Banogu, Innis Gaines and Travin Howard were especially physical against Arkansas.
• This team knows it has work to do.

Travin Howard and Coach Gary Patterson discuss a play on the sidelines during TCU’s season opener against Jackson State.
Photo by Glen E. Ellman

Games come quickly and this week it’s the Iron Skillet. SMU-TCU will play for the 97^th time. There’s a lot of history in this series and this is probably the most intriguing match-up in quite some time. SMU is improved and can score points. It’s the first time since 1985 that the Frogs and Mustangs meet as undefeated teams.

Coach Gary Patterson confirmed that he has told the Frogs the story of the 2005 game, a 21-10 SMU upset of a TCU team that has just beaten Oklahoma the week before. It was the Frogs’ only loss in that 11-1 season.

This is game three of what Coach Patterson calls the “Four Game Season” which is how he describes this first segment of the schedule. An in-depth look at SMU is coming Friday.

Until then,

Kick ‘Em High