Good Friday to you. The rain is very nice, and cooler temps are on the way. Maybe the weather will help the Rangers wash away memories of yesterday’s 10-1 playoff loss to Toronto and the cool off the Blue Jays’ hot bats? Better luck to the Rangers today. I went to the first Rangers game in 1972 at the old stadium, and I’ve gone every year since. Yes, I’m getting old.

The Frogs make their first real road trip this weekend. When they get to Lawrence, Kan., they’ll find a team that reminds me a lot of SMU. New coach David Beaty has scoured Texas for players and has raised the program’s talent level. The Jayhawks’ defense is better and more athletic this year. KU’s offense has struggled … and has been struggling for a while. Ponder this: in its last 32 games, KU has scored more than 21 points just twice.

One of those games was this year’s 55-6 win over Rhode Island.

CAUTION: The other was the 2014 game versus TCU, when the Frogs escaped with a 34-30 score.

Frog defenders wrap up a Kansas receiver during TCU’s 23-17 win on Nov. 14, 2015. (photo by Keith Robinson)

Offensively, Kansas has struggled. And they have a mild quarterback controversy brewing. They’ve played three QBs this year, including redshirt freshman Carter Stanley, but #2 Montell Cozart and #13 Ryan Willis have taken the most snaps. Cozart has the most experience and runs better, but Willis had a solid game last week against Texas Tech in Lubbock, so he’ll get the start against the Frogs. Willis has a great arm but is not quite as mobile. Hello, Josh Carraway, James McFarland and the TCU defensive line!

Willis’ dad was a kicker at Kansas State. I played against his Wildcat teams in 1983 and 1984. What?!! Again, I’m getting old.

KU’s skill people include running back Ke’Aun Kinner. He’s a tough kid who played all of last year with a shoulder that would pop out on a regular basis. It’s fixed now. Wide receiver threats include Texas A&M transfer LaQuivionte Gonzalez, #1, and Patrick Sims, who wears #11. Both are Texans.

Defense is where Kansas’ talent level has improved. Watch out for defensive end Durance Armstrong, #2, and linebacker Joe Dineen, #29, who is an up-and-coming player. In the secondary, one of my All-Denton Name Team selections is #2 Fish Smithson, who returns at safety. He’s fast; he’s in on just about every play and is one of the top tacklers in the nation.

Head coach David Beaty has taken over the play-calling for the Jayhawks, demoting former offensive coordinator Rob Likens. In fact, Beaty made many moves after his first year at Kansas, as five of nine assistant coaches either left the program or were demoted.

Memorial Stadium has not been friendly to the Frogs in their first two trips to “Rock Chalk Land” as members of the Big 12, and I don’t think trip three will be a cakewalk, either. On the road, a fast start will help.

A bit of history for you: The Frogs and Kansas played against each other every year from 1944 through 1964, until a rift over a player broke up the football romance. As the story goes, Bert Coan had just completed his freshman season at TCU in 1958. During the offseason, he attended an all-star game, and a KU booster paid for his trip. Coan suddenly transferred to Kansas. He was a key element of the Jayhawks’ success in the early ‘60s. Once the game contracts between the two schools ran out in 1964, “Head Frog” Abe Martin looked elsewhere for non-conference opponents. In 1965, TCU opened the season against No. 1 Nebraska. The Frogs and Kansas would not play again until 1982.

Trivia: Did you know that Hallmark Cards has a huge printing facility in Lawrence? If you’ve received a Hallmark card lately, chances are it came out of the Kansas plant. You can see it on the main road as you drive into the city.

Gameday weather calls for sunny skies with a high temperature of 71.

I’ll talk to you at 10 a.m. tomorrow.

Kick ‘Em High!

The 1956 Horned Frog yearbook boasts about TCU’s 47-14 win over Kansas in 1955.