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Kicking off 2016 with John Denton

September 2, 2016

OK!  Here we go!

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!

Ty Slanina, football

TCU wide receiver Ty Slanina returns after missing much of 2015 due to injury.

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!

Guarding the Super Bowl trophy

February 8, 2016

 

Every year, millions of people watching the NFL’s Super Bowl catch a glimpse of Ben Nix ’63. But what viewers really see what’s he’s holding — the shiny Lombardi Trophy that goes to the big game’s winner.

A former Dallas Cowboys security officer and FBI agent, Nix has worked for the NFL since 1981. Each year, his job is to coordinate the travel and protection of the league’s ultimate prize.

BenNixNFL-Lombardi-TrophyThe trophy, made by Tiffany’s, weighs 7 pounds and costs about $50,000. It’s made of sterling silver. Unlike the Stanley Cup in hockey, the Lombardi Trophy is made anew each year. The winning team keeps it forever rather than giving it back at the start of the ensuing season.

Starting the week of the Super Bowl, Nix goes wherever the trophy goes, transporting and guarding it at numerous appearances at the site of the big game each year. Photos are OK, but no one touches it without white gloves, until it’s time to hand it to the league commissioner at the trophy presentation.

“The most difficult part is to keep the hands off it until the team gets it,” he said. “It smudges up pretty easily and so we try to keep that from happening.”

Nix, a former TCU football player, gets busy at the fourth quarter winds down.

“About four minutes left in the game, [I] bring it out to the field and eventually hand it to the presenter who takes it down to the winning team,” he said.

And when that final minute runs off the clock and the handoff is made, Nix exhales.

“There’s always a sense of relief,” he said. “There’s no question about that. Yeah, a big sense of relief.”

TCU-Baylor for the 111th time

November 27, 2015

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Happy Thanksgiving Weekend!

I hope all of you have a great holiday and enjoy all your family traditions, whatever they may be. This holiday is all about family and food. And it wouldn’t be complete without some football with one of our Big 12 family … and feud.

Baylor-TCU is a game that’s been long-anticipated, sort of like Grandma Denton’s sweet potatoes … with melted marshmallows.

The campuses are only 83 miles apart. These two are each other’s closest neighbors on Big 12 Lane. And the shared fence has taken a beating of late. It’s a rivalry that’s complete — from the guy in the last row to the players and all the way down to the head coaches. It’s thorough and thick, and it’s amazing that it’s taken this long.

Sure, Baylor and TCU played 110 times all through the early years and throughout the history of the SWC, but it never had the heat that it has now. In the old days, the Bears view of the Brazos was ruined on a regular basis by the hated Aggies, and TCU couldn’t stand SMU, a mere 30 miles east.

TCU and Baylor will play for the 111th time tonight, and it’s one of the most played series in college football. If the SWC hadn’t broken apart, this would be one of the top three series in college football in terms of total games played.

It’s hard to imagine these two teams going at it more than once a year, but when these two schools were located in Waco, multiple meetings were commonplace: They played twice in 1901, three times in 1902, twice in 1904, three times in 1905, three times in 1907, three times in 1908, three times in 1909 and twice in 1910. The Frogs and Bears lost 10 games when didn’t play each other after 1995 until 2006.

The flames on this rivalry really got fanned in 2010 when Andy Dalton and the Rose Bowl-bound Frogs (from the MWC) welcomed RGIII and his Superman cape into Amon G. Carter Stadium. TCU led 35-3 at the half and dismantled Baylor in grand fashion, 45-10. That made it three straight TCU wins over Baylor and the folks in Waco didn’t like it. The next fall, when Casey Pachall and the Frogs rolled into Waco, Art and RGIII and big pass plays were waiting. While the Frogs had a chance to win it at the end, this shootout victory by Baylor leveled the table. Since the Frogs entered the Big 12 in 2012, it’s been a year-round tussle in worthy of neighborhood attention.

Even though TCU has lost two games and Baylor has lost one, there’s still a lot on the line, especially bragging rights and who gets to have fun with billboards in I-35 and team photos for the next year. It’s the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and these two teams are shopping for weaknesses to exploit and good gets that no coupon can bring. The store opens at 6:30 p.m. Don’t be late for these door busters!

  • Quarterbacks – Who will they be?   Not exactly the scenario that everyone from Lee Corso to Dave Campbell anticipated at the beginning of the year. Trevone Boykin is hobbled but available and Baylor has no Seth Russell and no Jarrett Stidham. Chris Johnson has moved back to quarterback from wide receiver to fill in and he did a nice job vs. Oklahoma State. And he’s big.
  • Running Backs – I like this matchup between Shock Linwood and TCU’s Aaron Green. Two of the more productive backs in the Big 12. These backs both bring the BALANCE to their respective offenses.
  • Defenses – The Frogs have had problems defending deep passes and Baylor has had problems stopping the run. How each group has healed up since last week’s battles will be key here.
  • Kicking Game – TCU has the best field goal kicker in TCU history in Jaden Oberkrom, and he’s almost done as a Frog. Watch and appreciate him. He may be the difference in this one. And don’t forget the return game … it may be Turpin-Time!

It’s a Purple Out game at The Carter, so lay off the tryptophan and get amped up for this one.

Kick ‘Em High!

Stormin’ Norman … it’s time

November 20, 2015

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Well, here we go. Game 11 and the Frogs are in a spot.

Sure, they’ve suffered tons of injuries and the pollsters and the national media have called for last rights, but I see it another way. The Frogs are in a spot to launch. And you should relish this situation. It’s one that GP and his staff have been in before (see Louisville ’02, BYU ’05, Boise ’11, Southern Miss ’01, OU ’05), and they can pull out all the stops in order to make the Frogs the best team on this one day. And it’s a day that will be paid attention to by those same national media and CFP voters … just to make sure there’s nothing going on at Memorial Stadium. For me, it couldn’t be better. Meacham & Co. will have a game plan to surprise and add spark, I’m sure … no matter who’s playing QB.

This is not as big a reach as you think. The 2005 TCU team that won in Norman pulled a HUGE upset and while they were quick and good, they didn’t have near the depth that this 2015 team does and they weren’t 9-1, thus, my stance.

Keys to the game:

  • Be good on first down on both sides of the ball. Get something on first down when TCU has the ball. Stop the run with OU has it.
  • Use misdirection and trick plays to slow OU’s attacking front seven. Let the OU defensive line take themselves out of the play.
  • Be GREAT in the kicking game. KaVontae Turpin could carry the day.
  • Force turnovers. In a game like this one – when the wind is blowing hard out of the north – field position will be key. Take it away and take a win back to Fort Worth.
  • Play loose and have fun. It’s OU who’s supposed to win. The experts all say so. No pressure, no problems, I always say.

Kick ‘Em High!

Frog fans, R-E-L-A-X.

November 17, 2015

KUseniors

Take a deep breath, Frog Fans. Now, take another. Relax. And I mean RELAX. This is your mid-week therapy session.

Since I got off the air after Saturday afternoon’s win over Kansas (that got the Frogs to 9-1), I’ve been bombarded with texts, questions, negative thoughts and dirges from down-in-the-mouth Frog fans who think this season is lost.

Sure, Trevone turned an ankle. It happens. It’s college football. Welcome to the corner of Unhealthy & Unhappy. But wait a minute. Time to count your purple blessings-all nine of them.

This TCU Football season has been great and, despite enough injuries to rival a war movie, the Frogs are still in “the conversation.”  Twenty-three different players lost to injury and still 9-1. That shows depth. Big-time depth. The kind of depth that “those” types of programs have. Forever you’ve heard that college football saying, uttered in the most respectful tone:

“Ohio State, Nebraska, USC, Notre Dame … they don’t rebuild, they reload.”   

Well, Coach P and staff have been reloading like Davey Crockett at The Alamo. So far, so good, I say. Pass the powder horn.

It could be the other way around. Let’s take a look back:

  • 30 years ago TCU sat at 3-7 (0-7 in the SWC) with Texas A&M still to play (and no it wasn’t pretty).  53-6 to cap off senior day.
  • Or give a nose to the bouquet offered by this Cabernet Sauvignon from 40 years ago:  TCU sat at 0-10 with a November 22nd date with Rice to go.  TCU won 28-21 to avoid going winless.   Anybody want to guess the attendance?

Further, I’ll offer this question to you: How many other teams have records worse than TCU? I counted ‘em. Out of 128 Football Bowl Subdivision programs, 115 have records worse than the Frogs, and 12 have records that are the same or better. Only five are 10-0: Ohio State, Clemson, Oklahoma State, Iowa and Houston.

It’d be hard for TCU to be in much better shape, record-wise. And you’re headed toward another bowl game. Now exhale!

Feeling better now? Good. See you in Norman.

Kick ‘Em High!

All set for Senior Day

November 13, 2015

seniorday

A loss at Oklahoma State amidst a road trip where nearly nothing went right. A drop in the polls. Myriad questions about Josh Doctson that seem to be never-ending. And talk that this season is lost. NOT.

What I believe is lost in this hurricane of ring bologna, opinions, poll discussions and conjecture is that the Frogs have had enough. They’re ready to get back on the field. And Play. Saturday’s game against Kansas is just what the doctor ordered, not just because it’s winless Kansas, but because it’s a chance for the Frogs to breathe and let it all out.

Gary Patterson’s beat up, injury-riddled Frogs have held it together to this point to get to 8-1. Head trainer David Gable’s been busy. This is the Anti-2014, when the Frogs lost all of two players (BJ Catalon and Mike Tuaua) to season ending injury late in the year. This year, it’s been an average of about 1.5 a week. Coach GP said this week it would be wrong for him to criticize his team because they’ve done a great job filling in, making do and getting to 8 wins. Damn right.

If the College Football Playoff committee considered depth as a component of ranking, the Frogs would be No. 1 – easily. No team in the nation has dipped deeper into the depth chart, redshirt vault and scout team than TCU. That’s the silver lining and it’s blinding. The Frogs are piling up experience and depth and there’s a training room full coming back next year. Smile, Frog fans.

Now to the business at hand: It’s a three-game season, and the Frogs can beat everyone on the schedule. Wind ’em up and let em go.

The rebound starts with Kansas, a team that has lots of needs. In fact, they remind me of teams I played on at TCU in the early 80’s: a smattering of talent, lacking depth, lacking offense and desperately trying to learn how to win. Thanks to former KU head coach Charlie Weis, the Jayhawks numbers are way down. Massive move-in (and then move out) of junior college recruits over two recruiting classes by Weis left new KU head man David Beaty with fewer than 75 scholarship players in the 85-scholarship era. (To frame that low number for your, FCS teams like Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston State, Appalachian State have 65 scholarships). Walk-ons make up the balance of the squad. Bottom line: the Jayhawks need players, and they hope Coach Beaty and his Texas ties will bring talent from the Lone Star State to Lawrence to build up the program.

Things to know about KU:

  • The Jayhawks played one of their best games against Texas last week, scoring 20 points. (That’s the most in Big 12 play since they scored 20 against Texas Tech a month ago.) They’ve scored more than 23 just once.
  • The Jayhawks have not won a road game since in 2009. They’ve lost 37 straight road tilts and haven’t won a Big 12 road game since 2008.
  • KU has been pesky – the Frogs average margin of victory in three previous Big 12 games against Kansas is just 9.3 points.
  • KU and TCU had quite a rivalry, playing each other every year from 1944-1964, when a dispute over a recruit ended one of the Frogs longest-running non-conference series.

Tomorrow is Senior Day, and this group of players deserve your support as they’re presented tomorrow. This group has been through a lot, and the 5th year seniors have won two conference championships in their time: 2011 MWC and the 2014 Big 12. Can they win a third?

Kick ‘Em High!

Looking for a fast track and 9-0 in Stillwater

November 6, 2015

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Happy November Frog Fans! Welcome to the Funhouse of College Football.

Much like those classic attractions at the state fair with mirrored walls, moving floors, rolling barrels and sudden shocks that pull all types of emotions out of us, college football’s seductive stretch drive is here. Frustrating College Football Playoff poll chatter, discussions of who’s the real “power” in the Power 5 and a Thursday night game between Baylor and Kansas State that held my attention to the end distracted and moved me all while I was trying to study up on Oklahoma State.

Four games to go: two on the road, two at home. And a ticket to the playoff hanging on every snap. Exactly where you want to be. Sure, it can be frustrating to see the Frogs roll out at No. 8, but there’s a long way to go. Remember, too, that Ohio State got to the pinnacle from the 16 spot in the first playoff poll last year. Lots of things are going to happen as we round the clubhouse turn in 2015. Thankfully, most of the committee’s work will be done for them … on the field.

Speaking of field, let’s turn out attention to Lewis Field. That’s what they used to call the stadium at Oklahoma State (now Boone Pickens Stadium) before Mr. Pickens stepped in and triggered a renewal in OSU Athletics. Trivia Item No. 2: Did you know that OSU used to be called Oklahoma A&M?

Other questions await with answers coming tomorrow at 2:30 Central time. Can the Frogs quiet the raucous crowd that well lean over the wall into their bench area? Boone Pickens Stadium is a snake pit for visiting teams. A fast start for the Frogs is a must to keep Cowboy fans quiet. Trevone Boykin will need to make the most of this opportunity against what may be the best (and most healthy) defense the Frogs have faced yet.

What’s most mysterious about OSU is that, much like the Frogs, they’ve survived close games and have found ways to win. And they’ve made it a habit. Oklahoma State (8-0) boasts one of the best defensive lines in the nation, led by Houston native Emmanuel Ogbah. He’s a beast who is on pace for another double-digit year in the Sack Dept. He had 11 last year.  The Frogs need to know where he is at all times. Linebacker Jordan Burton is highly active, coming off a 13-tackle day last week at Texas Tech.

Offensively, Oklahoma State flies in the face of traditional college football knowledge. The old coaching adage is, “If you have two quarterbacks, you have none.” Au contraire, says Cowboys’ Maître d’ Mike Gundy. He has a passer in Mason Rudolph, and a versatile runner/spark plug in J.W. Walsh. It’s a system that’s working for Gundy & Co.

They don’t always stay in character, either. Last week, Walsh, the runner, had two touchdown passes in excess of 70 yards, so the Frogs can’t just load up to defend the run when Walsh enters the game. Walsh’s dad, John, is the head football coach at Denton Guyer High School, so he’s got the game in his blood.

Keys for this one are going to involve the trenches. How the Frogs’ offensive line handles OSU’s front will be critical. The Cowboys will dial up stunts to increase pressure on TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin.

On the other side, the Frogs’ defense will have to contain Walsh and his zone-read magic. He’s good and running back Chris Carson (originally a Georgia commit) can find daylight.

And don’t forget the deep ball. The Frogs have to be mindful of James Washington, who burned Texas Tech for long pass plays last week (75 and 73 yards). To sum it up, there’s a lot to defend, but I like the way the Frogs’ defensive line has looked the last two games: fresh and fast. I expect to see more tomorrow.

Speaking of fresh, remember that the Frogs have had 10 days to recharge and repair after the West Virginia win. That’s something that seems lost on folks this week.

It’ll be sunny and 62 in Stillwater, and the field at Boone Pickens Stadium is a fast track (artificial turf).

Looking for 9-0!

Kick ‘Em High!

Trick or treat? Second season starts tonight.

October 29, 2015

wvu

The Frogs tee it up tonight with Halloween looming this weekend. “The Carter” will be rockin’ with a full-on blackout and another sellout crowd.

Trick or Treat? The second season is here.

A five-game gauntlet awaits the Frogs. Three at home. Two on the road. Three of them against ranked teams. Two trips to the state of Oklahoma: one against a Cowboys team that just keeps winning, and one against an OU team that’s just mad and may be the most dangerous of the five remaining. And a finale against a wounded Bear who is now young at heart. Buckle up, Frog fans. It’s going to be a bumpy ride.

But that’s what you want. Remember back in July when you were craving college football? You were almost seven months into your withdrawal, and you’d watched all your archived games on your DVR or on DVD? That 1998 Sun Bowl is just as good the 118th time, huh? But nothing satisfies like the new season. Well, here it is in a nice, neat five-week package … full of tricks!

As I always say, in September, you can draw a line from the result of a game to the depth chart. That’s when teams are fine-tuning. In November, though, you draw lines from scores directly to your team’s post-season fate. It gets serious, and it gets your attention. Just like the old days, TCU would much rather be in the Cotton Bowl (one of the College Football Playoff semifinal sites), instead of the Sugar Bowl, a New Year’s Six game this year. Did I just write that???

Be careful with West Virginia. Sure, they’ve lost three straight, but look who they fell to: OU, Baylor and OSU – three hurdles still on the menu for the No. 5 Frogs. And they have a crafty coach. I like Dana Holgersen and what he does with his offense. He likes balance and he loves the screen game. WVU won’t be afraid to run the ball, and TCU will get tested early.

On defense, the Mountaineers load their muskets with a 3-3-5 scheme that disguises blitzes and makes reads tough. Because of all that movement, the linebackers are sometimes late to the party, especially on blitzes. This could open the door for big plays for TCU. Additionally, if I was coaching WVU’s defense, we’d be working on tackling.

If you like kickers, as I do, this is your game. Jaden Oberkrom has made more field goals that anyone who’s ever taken a swing at it at TCU. Josh Lambert for WVU is strong and can hit from long-range, as can Oberkrom. These guys have ended the last two games in this series. You may see some long kicks tonight.

Something else to look for tonight: Abby Faber, the little girl and Iowa State fan, who has become Trevone Boykin’s new best friend, will be in the house tonight. Keep your eyes open for her. Now that’s a treat!!!

Oh, and how about Coach Jill Kramer and the VolleyFrogs???  Love that “net” result over Texas last night!

Kick ‘Em High!!

Autumn in the air. Watch Cyclones on the ground.

October 17, 2015

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Howdy from Ames, Iowa! We woke up to assurance that it is indeed autumn. The thermometer read 30 this morning.

That’s just a reminder that we are on the road and that the Frogs need to heat up early tonight against Iowa State.

The Cyclones can run the ball. Recall last week’s tussle at K-State? The Frogs’ defense will need to carry over last Saturday’s second-half effort early in this one. ISU running back Mike Warren is the hottest ball-carrier in the country over the last month, averaging 8.8 yards per tote, and he shredded Texas Tech for 245 rushing yards last week.

Iowa State’s offensive line is best when run blocking, so the Frogs need to make the Cyclones believe that they’re a passing team, much like what TCU did to KSU last week after halftime. If the ‘Clones do decide to throw, there are weapons at wide receiver in the Cardinal & Gold: D’vario Montgomery (6-6) and Allen Lazard (6-5) are tall matchup problems, and No. 9 Quenton Brundrage can fly. Don’t forget that Iowa State’s offensive coordinator is Mark Mangino, former head coach at Kansas, who’s a master game-planner.

On defense, Iowa State has gotten better. They needed to. Last year, ISU was dead last in the nation in total defense. They gave up an average of 571 yards per game in Big 12 play.

This year, they’re up to No. 101 in the nation — not great but a jump ahead. Nose tackle Demond Tucker is my favorite. He’s a big-time player for Iowa State, maybe the biggest recruit head coach Paul Rhoads has landed in his seven years at the helm. The linebackers are OK, but the secondary is the strength of the ISU defense. I think the Frogs will test that ISU secondary early.

All in all, the Frogs’ seventh week of the season should be their best. I believe this team has learned its lessons well — especially last week’s close shave.

Kick ‘Em High!

Adding heart at the halfway point

October 9, 2015

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It’s the halfway point in the regular season, and here’s what to look for (along with a few musical references) as the Frogs are On The Road Again (Willie Nelson) to a place they’ve not yet won in as a member of the Big 12.

Coming off the explosive win over Texas, Coach P hinted that the light is starting go on for some of his young defensive players. I’d say so.

It’s That Time of the Season (The Zombies) when players hit another gear mentally and you can tell the difference. A lot of it has to do with the consulting firm of Pierson & Tuaua, experts in adding heart and fuel to defense.

The offense has hit another gear as well and running like a new Mercedes! A surprisingly explosive running game has been complimented as expected by the air game and Josh Doctson. But it’s the New Kid in Town (Eagles), KaVontae Turpin whose time has come.

Kansas State is as beat up on offense as the Frogs have been on defense, and the next new quarterback they run out will be their sixth of 2015.

Keys for the Frogs are to start fast and take advantage of their speed. Defensively, the Frogs have to get K-State off the field, or they’ll play “keep away” and shorten the game.

Bill Snyder is a master game planner, and he’ll have his beat-up troop ready to face the Purple Rain (Prince). The Frogs only win in Manhattan came in 1985 by a score of 24-22. Hopefully, this will be The Second Time Around (Sinatra).

See you on the radio at 5:30 p.m. on the TCU Sports Network, live from Manhattan.

Kick ‘Em High!