It’s September! That means dove season in Texas. I heard hunting expert Big Billy Kinder, a TCU Football alumnus, say there will be 250,000 Texas dove hunters out spraying shot this weekend in pursuit of birds … wow!

AND it’s finally football season. What a lineup for the first weekend.  Looking at the schedule, I almost thought I “Rip Van Winkled-it” through the fall and it was bowl season already. Look at what the College Football Playoff has given us: more meat and fewer cupcakes; real games between ranked teams early in the season. And a nice list it is!

Big 12 fans need look no further than No. 3 Oklahoma vs. No. 15 Houston. Could this be the play-in game for the Coogs’ Big 12 future?

No. 4 Florida State takes on No. 11 Ole Miss. Don’t laugh, Frog fans. Ole Miss is improved and they have a great quarterback.

No. 2 Clemson visits Auburn. And Georgia at No. 18 takes on No. 22 North Carolina. And don’t forget, Wisconsin hosts No. 5 LSU at Lambeau Field … can you say physical?

Are you detecting the heavy Southeastern Conference sauce like I am??

Closer to our Big 12 home, Bill Snyder and his Kansas State Wildcats take their mojo to No. 8 Stanford; No. 10 Notre Dame rolls into Austin to take on Texas; No. 16 UCLA tries on the humidity for size in College Station against the Aggies.

Oops, I nearly forgot … No. 1 Alabama tunes up the machine at Jerry World against No. 20 USC in what will be the yawner on the menu. Tide rolls.

But those games are not why you’re reading this. You’re interested in the Frogs … and you should be.

Last year’s injury-dotted march to 11 TCU wins and a historic bowl victory for the ages set the stage for this season. Now that we’re on the silver-lining side of the 2015 season and all those injuries that vaulted redshirts and freshmen into duty (especially on defense), Coach P has a team that’s mature beyond its years and has depth to show for last year’s storm that ended perfectly at the Alamo Bowl. And then … those seven home games … huge!

Now add Kenny Hill after 18 months at Camp Frog, where he learned the TCU way. Then add a recruiting class full of talent, many of whom will make their way onto the field this year, to a defense with depth aplenty.

Things I’m looking forward to:

• Watching the impact of quarterback Coach Sonny Cumbie on Kenny Hill. If you thought Trevone Boykin was good after a makeover, then just wait for this one.
• Opposing offenses trying to deal with the speed and power of defensive ends James McFarland and Josh Carraway coming full speed at them at the same time. How many opposing running backs will be on the field solely to block?
• The fleet of receivers vying to answer the question: “Who’s going to replace Josh Doctson?” The answers are in place, believe me. It all will unfold.

 

As we begin the season, here are some names to keep an eye on:

On offense: Emanuel Porter (#1) is primed to have a great year. His hands are always in the right spot, and you saw what he can do in the Alamo Bowl. Kyle Hicks (#21) is a back about to blossom – he showed glimpses last year. This year you’ll see the whole picture.

Ty Slanina’s back from injury, ‘nuff said. Same for Deante Gray – fast! Another receiver, Taj Williams (#2) will make plays; over the last two years at Iowa Western Community College he had 128 catches! Watch out for tight end/halfback Cole Hunt (he’s Joey Hunt’s little brother); he can run deep routes really well. And watch out for frosh (that’s old school for freshman) Sewo Olonilua at running back. He’s 6-3, 225 pounds and knows which way the end zone is. Don’t’ forget running back Darius Anderson, either. Too bad we can only play 11 at a time!

On defense:  Lots coming back, and a lot of new faces. And all of them can run. I already mentioned McFarland and Carraway, and the defensive tackles get my attention, too. Joseph Broadnax had a great fall camp, as did Aaron Curry. Chris Bradley has nine starts at defensive tackle and knows his way around a block. L. J. Collier is hungry and motivated. At linebacker, welcome back Sammy Douglas. In the secondary watch out for two freshmen, safety Innis Gaines and cornerback Vernon Scott. At the other corner are Jeff Gladney and former wide receiver Tony James. He threw a 20-yard pass in the Alamo Bowl. (Remember the double pass play Doug Meacham called early in the third quarter?) James is now a corner and can keep up with anyone.

The kicking game took a hit with Jonathan Song’s injury, opening the door for kickers Ryan Graf and Brandon Hatfield to step up. Punter Adam Nunez had a great fall camp. He’s a pure punter.

South Dakota State brings a young, talented team into “The Carter.” The Jackrabbits are ranked No. 8 in the Football Championship Subdivision for a reason. They’re better than you want them to be. It’ll be a good idea for the Frogs to start quick in this one.

 

Happy Football Season!

Kick ‘Em High!