Oklahoma 33, TCU 14: Smoked and Rolled

Let’s just be up front about this. TCU is not a good football team right now, especially on offense. They made a subpar Oklahoma defense look elite on Saturday, as Max Duggan took hit after hit behind a still-awful offensive line.

Questionable and conservative play calling eventually manifested what felt inevitable from the get go: this was a 60-minute concession that Oklahoma is better and we should not try anything too risky for fear of getting blown out.

*checks final score*

TCU punted from plus territory twice on the day, and punted three times with less than five yards to gain, all while trailing the entire game. After completing their longest pass of the day - a 47-yarder to Pro Wells who chugged down the field like a freight train - TCU ran the ball seven consecutive times.

Yes, the drive resulted in TCU’s only touchdown of the day, but please remember that passes should only be sprinkled sporadically throughout the offense.

Of course to throw requires blocking, and TCU’s retooled offensive line (John Lanz starting for an injured Quazzel White, TJ Storment starting for a benched Austin Myers) didn’t do much of that on the day. Max Duggan was hit far, far too many times, and yet he continued to get back up and do everything he could to try and get a win.

Oh, and we can’t forget the penalties, lest we ignore the several drive-killers sustained by TCU. False starts, unsportsmanlike conducts, and illegal blindside blocks all killed what little momentum the Frogs could muster on the offensive side of the ball. In total, TCU racked up 10 penalties for 94 yards on the day.

It was good, though, to see some Pro Wells action (we need much, much more of it) and outside of a bad drop, Quentin Johnston had another very good outing.

Here’s the thing about all of this. TCU has incredible talent on the offensive side of the ball. I stand by that, even if that means I sound like a lunatic. Max Duggan, Quentin Johnston, Taye Barber, Blair Conwright, Pro Wells, Zach Evans, Darwin Barlow, Daimarqua Foster. This team should be producing more than they are currently.

Defensively, losing Noah Daniels was a huge blow. Kee’Yon Stewart was forced into duty late in the second quarter through the end of the game, and he struggled mightily. But, TCU’s defensive line, namely Khari Coleman, made significant strides today. Coleman and Trevon Moehrig were absolutely stellar all game long.

The defense conceded 33 points, yes. Big plays killed them again, yes. But at some point we know what the larger narrative is going to be and we start looking for bright spots.

The larger narrative at this point? TCU is 1-3, including an 0-3 start at home, with what looks like a very poorly coached team.

It’s disappointing to see all of this talent rolled out onto the field with game plans that feel thrown together.

TCU has to get over this loss quickly, because they head down to Waco next week for a 2:30pm battle with Baylor.