It’s been a rough week for many of us around TCU.

Universities and their communities are built on loyal alumni and supporters — personalities and propellers. Those whose stance or love for their alma mater is never questioned.

Such is the case for two great Frogs whose lives we celebrated this week

Susan Nix ’69 came to TCU in the 1960’s as Susan Appleby, became Miss TCU in 1969, married the quarterback, Kent Nix ’69 and she was on her way. She was a one-woman LinkedIn, who knew everyone, their line of work and where they fit into the Fort Worth tapestry. They all knew her as well. Name a TCU organization and she had a piece of it, giving of her time, talents and leverage to get the job done. From the Colonial Tournament to the Cotton Bowl and the Armed Forces Bowl to how you looked in your outfit, there was no guessing what she was thinking.  She let you know. And TCU was the beneficiary of this dynamo’s love and devotion all of her adult life. She used to call me on the phone and say, “Hey, Kern Tips (in reference to the legendary radio voice of college football in Texas in the 1930s, 40s and 50s), where’s the money today?” I always loved hearing from her and I’ll miss those phone calls, which almost certainly meant you were already involved in something — even if you didn’t know it!

Courtesy of the 1969 Horned Frog and the Nix Family

I first met Dick Lowe ’51 as a freshman kicker on the TCU Football team in 1980. Dick come by practice one day to check out the team. We struck up a conversation and he called me by name ever since that day. He, too, knew where everybody fit in and he was great with details and could recall plays from decades ago. Ever since he arrived at TCU from Wichita Falls, Texas, he made sure that TCU was taken care of. From his days on the field to the oil business to the TCU Hall of Fame, Dick always answered the purple call, even when it wasn’t fun. He rode the TCU roller coaster through the decades, through highs of the 1950s and lows of the 70s and 80s, and never turned his back on his alma mater. When the time came to invest in TCU Football and help rebuild, he was there. He took the lead with his heart and with his wallet, all for the betterment of a school that he loved. He, too, never made you guess where he stood on any issue. He told the truth and he spoke from the heart.

Courtesy of TCU Athletics Media Relations and the Lowe Family

We can all learn a lesson from Susan Nix and Dick Lowe: Speak truth from the heart.

I’m blessed that they were a part of my life from early in my time at TCU. They are great Horned Frogs.

The No. 15 Oklahoma State Cowboys come to visit Saturday at 11 a.m.

Both teams are coming off of games in which they scored 50+ points. Both teams ran the ball with power and authority last week and I don’t expect any different Saturday at The Carter.

The TCU-OSU game will be a battle between the second- and third-longest term head coaches in the league. Courtesy of TCU Athletics | Photo by Ellman Photography

OSU is still in the run for the Big 12 Championship Game. The Frogs are trying to keep it rolling, having won three of the last four gridiron matches. This one will be a battle between the second- and third-longest term head coaches in the league. Patterson coached his first full season at TCU in 2001, Gundy in 2005. There are 311 wins between these coaches, and they do it their own way.

Oklahoma State played a seldom-used running back last week and all Dezmon Jackson did was go for 235 yards through the Texas Tech defense on his way to three trips over the goal line. Chuba Hubbard, the Cowboys’ all-world running back is out and won’t likely play vs. TCU.

On the defense, the Pokes are trying to hang on by a trigger finger. They’re a big beat up and have given up 40 or more points in three of their last four games.

I expect both teams to do what they’ve done best of late: Run the ball. This could be a quick game.

TCU’s secondary will have to be weary of OSU’s Tylan Wallace. The Biletnikoff Award candidate (nation’s best wide receiver) is part of a long list of great wideouts who have worn the orange and black for Coach Gundy.

As much as these offenses have to offer, it’ll be the team that contains and tackles best that will win this one.

I give the Frogs the edge.

Did You Know:

– Oklahoma State was originally called Oklahoma A&M College.
– Boone Pickens Stadium (formerly Lewis Field) is one of the few college football stadiums in the nation where the field runs east to west.
– OSU head coach Mike Gundy was a record-setting quarterback for OSU in the 1980s.
– Former TCU head football coach FA Dry played his college football at OAMC.

The weather will be dry with cool temps in the mid-50s at kickoff.

We’re on the air on the Horned Frog Sports Network at 10 a.m. Join us on WBAP 820 AM, Sirius 113, XM 201, the Riff Ram app or on TuneIn.

Until then,

Kick ‘Em High!