The Frogs open the 2015 home slate tomorrow against Stephen F. Austin, and it’s already apparent that this is a different year. Last year, the Frogs got on a roll with a new offense and the blessing of little or no injuries until late in the season.

It’s Week 2 for the Frogs, and they already have taken hits to the two-deep, including two linebackers — an area that Coach P and the defensive staff were already working on. Junior linebacker Sammy Douglas is gone for the year due to injury, and freshman Mike Freeze has taken a leave of absence. Along the defensive line, it was announced that Peach Bowl juggernaut James McFarland is likely done for the year with a broken toe. All this news leads me to the key matchup for TCU vs. SFA: TCU’s defensive front 6 vs SFA’s experienced offensive line.

SFA returns all five starters along their offensive line. Two juniors and three seniors who have played 151 games combined and 115 starts. They know what they’re doing, and they’re the key to SFA’s offensive hopes on Saturday. TCU’s defensive line will need to be great as they try to confuse SFA and protect the Frogs’ young linebacker corps. SFA quarterback Zach Conque (pronounced Konk) is the head coach’s son, and he’s a big dual-threat QB who has two good receivers in Aaron Thomas and Robert Sylvester. They throw it around. Eight different ‘Jacks caught passes last week.

On offense, the Frogs and their fans will be looking to light the roman candle on the 2015 version of the “Meacham Field” air attack. Wide receiver Josh Doctson told me that he didn’t have a good game against Minnesota and that he had a lot to work on this week. I’ll remind you that Josh had eight catches for 74 yards and a touchdown … and he’s not satisfied. I like his attitude, and my guess is that the entire offense (coaches Meacham and Cumbie included) feel the same way. I look for a much smoother, faster, swishy showing tomorrow.

By the way, I was asked this week, “Who was Stephen F. Austin?”

OK … Stephen Fuller Austin is known as the “Father of Texas.” A Yale-educated statesman who, along with his father, Moses, gained approval to bring 300 American families into the Mexican colony known as Texas. He chose an area consisting of 200,000 acres between the lower Colorado River and the Brazos River for his settlement. He spent time in prison at the hands of Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna and later served as a commander in the Texas Revolutionary Army. He saw Texas through from a colony to an independent republic, and he lost the Texas presidential election to Sam Houston in the fall of 1836. The state capital is named for him … Austin.

A little football and a little history for you.

Kick ’Em High!