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Football
5 steps for TCU to regain a shot at the playoff | Fort Worth Star Telegram
Carlos Mendez lays out the roadmap for TCU to get back into the national title conversation. Of course, they must first take care of business against Iowa State this Saturday.
It fits the underdog mentality for the Frogs to be unranked. But of course, they don’t plan to stay there. No team with national title aspirations does. TCU was ranked every week except one the past two seasons, and in both years, stayed in the College Football Playoff running deep into the season. In 2014, the Frogs absorbed an October loss to stay in national title contention until the final rankings.
TCU hopes Iowa State visit for Big 12 opener solves problems | Today’sU
The first line in Wendell’s piece stings a little.
“What you have to understand, sometimes to go forward, you need to go back,” [Patterson] said. “I’m not saying that’s what we’re going to do. I’m just saying you have to learn from all the losses. And as coaches, I go back to what I said — people handle failure a lot better than they handle success.”
More of the same as far as predictions for TCU’s offense and defense, but it remains to be seen if any consistency can be had. Arguably the biggest key to this game lies here:
The Cyclones' offensive line has gone through a complete turnover over the offseason. The lone returning starter, tackle Jake Campos, broke his leg, and so now this ISU line starts five untested players. Joel Lanning at QB will look to target 6-foot-5 receiver Allen Lazard, who is a bona fide star. Sophomore Mike Warren returns to claim his starting running back job.
2-Minute Drill: TCU vs. Iowa State | The Gazette
An Iowa perspective on how Saturday’s game may play out, touching on one of the most concerning stats with this TCU team:
TCU hasn’t recorded any interceptions and has allowed a league-high six passing touchdowns in its first two games and an average of 278 yards per game through the air. The Horned Frogs can run with five defensive backs at times, but those numbers indicate Lanning could have a chance to make plays through the air.
Baseball
TCU’s Schlossnagle high on new pitchers, led by MLB pick Lodolo | Fort Worth Star Telegram
With all three weekend starting pitchers returning for 2017 plus Luken Baker, TCU’s depth and talent may be at an all-time high.
“Nick is certainly the highest profile name, but those young pitchers have a chance to be pretty special,” coach Jim Schlossnagle said. “Those guys are going to get a lot of opportunities to pitch this fall because most of the veteran pitchers are either taking some time off or we’re going to be very careful with how we use them.”