What else is there to say about the year 2020 that hasn’t been said or expressed already?

The words that come to mind when I think about all that has taken place (or hasn’t taken place) since March are those penned by the great Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead:

What Long Strange Trip It’s Been.

The last time Brian Estridge and I were on the air was March 11th in Kansas City at the Big 12 Men’s Basketball Championship, calling the Frogs’ loss to Kansas State.

It was the last game of the season for the Frogs and, as it turned out, the last game of the season for everybody. Everywhere.

The next day, conference tournaments, NBA games, major sporting events and cultural events started pulling the plug.

Everybody go home and wait there for instructions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we do everything and there’s no masking the impact that it’s had on our lives. 

We’re all learning just how flexible we can be. And what we can do without.

One thing I’m not willing to do without is college football. I’m ready. And if you’re reading this, I bet you are, too.

We’re ready to get back into Amon G. Carter Stadium. I imagine we will all look this excited. Courtesy of TCU Athletics | Photo by Ellman Photography

If all goes well over the next two and a half days, the Frogs will kick off the 2020 season in almost October.

You have to go back all the way to 1943, in the midst of WWII, to find a TCU season start date that’s later. That year, the Frogs hosted Arkansas in the season opener on October 2nd! A 13-0 win.

Other opening day gems in Frogs history include:

• 1958 – a 42-0 win at Kansas
• 1972 – a 42-0 win over UTA
• 1984 – a 62-18 win at Utah State
• 1991 – a 60-7 win over New Mexico in Jim Wacker’s last opener at TCU
• 1998 – a 31-21 upset win at Iowa State in the first game of the “new” era
• 2004 – a 48-45, 2OT win over Northwestern
• 2010 – a 30-21 hard-fought win over Oregon State that started the run to the Roses

But back to this week’s business.

This altered 2020 season presents a challenge that head coaches dread: a season opener that’s a conference game.

No time to work out the kinks and the twists that go with first games. Just tee it up and go right into conference play.

They all count, but conference games “weigh” more.

The Frogs have to be ready. As a former player, I feel sorry for them in that fall camp has gone on forever.

Iowa State will be chomping at the bit to make things right after a dismal performance against Louisiana in which the Cyclones gave up a punt return, kickoff return and a long pass — all for touchdowns.

Friday, we’ll take a close look at Iowa State and the rebuilt Cyclones.

Until then,

Kick ‘Em High!