Best TCU Moments Bracket: The Play-In Games

Welcome to the Frogs O’ War Best TCU Moments Bracket! We’re living in a sports wasteland right now, which means we have plenty of time to look back over TCU’s sports history and pick our favorite moments.

We’ll be doing a full March Madness style tournament, where you vote on each matchup and help us determine the best TCU sports moment.

The full slate of 64 teams releases tomorrow (Monday, March 23rd) at 1pm, but before we can #ReleaseTheBracket, we need your help figuring out the final four teams to get in. You’ll find four matchups below, two 11-seed games and two 16-seed games (along with who the winner will play in the round of 64).

Vote below, and/or vote in the polls you’ll see on Twitter related to these matchups. Polls will close at Noon tomorrow, so vote quickly!

11-Seed Play-In Game 1

Jason Verrett’s Blocked Field Goal vs. West Virginia (2012)

TCU needed a 94-yard touchdown pass from Trevone Boykin to Josh Boyce just to force overtime in this one, as TCU had their backs to the wall almost the entire game. Despite all their efforts, the Frogs still watched as West Virginia lined up to attempt a 36-yard field goal to win the game. Then Jason Verrett stepped in.

TCU went on to win the game in the second overtime thanks to a touchdown and 2-point conversion from Boykin to Boyce, but they only got the chance because of Verrett’s effort.

Josh Carraway’s Touchdown Fumble Return vs. Baylor (2015)

What a sluggish, disgusting, beautiful mess this football game was. Injuries affected this game before it even started, and it ended with a legendary play (that may or may not be in the bracket already).

But with TCU down in the first half 14-7 and struggling to do anything on offense, Josh Carraway said “don’t worry, I’ve got this.”

The Frogs went on to win in double OT, 28-21.

Winner Plays: 6-Seed James McFarland’s Endzone Interception vs. Ole Miss (2014)

11-Seed Play-In Game 2

Tanner Brock’s Helmetless Block

What is insanity? Some say it’s repeating the same thing over and over again, but expecting a different result.

TCU fans will say it’s running full speed while helmet less to completely level an opponent, breaking your punt returner free in the process.

Bob Lilly’s 10-tackle game vs. SMU (1959)

Unfortunately we don’t have any video of Lilly’s effort, which also included a blocked punt and two fumble recoveries. What we know though is that Lilly led a TCU defensive effort that sacked SMU quarterback Don Meredith nine times, and helped SMU to -1 rushing yards on the day.

Before he was Mr. Cowboy, Lilly was Mr. TCU, and this game entrenched him as a legend.

Winner Plays: 6-Seed Jamie Dixon Buzzer Beater vs. Texas (1986)

16-Seed Play-In Game 1:

No More Fireworks vs. Tech (2014)

Remember that year TCU obliterated Texas Tech 82-27? Remember how we scored so many points that we ran out of fireworks for the season?

I do.

Josh Boyce’s 93-yard touchdown reception vs. Utah (2010)

TCU was primed for another undefeated season, but once again in 2010 Utah stood in the way. Much like TCU’s drubbing of the Utes in front of a College GameDay crowd in 2009, the Frogs wasted no time stepping on Utah’s throat in this one.

Dalton’s dart to Boyce, and Boyce’s subsequent strength and speed, put TCU in front quickly, as they Frogs ran away with things 47-7.

Winner Plays: 1-Seed Immaculate Deflection (2011)

16-Seed Play-In Game 2: Dan Goodale misses field goal vs. TCU (2011) vs. JD Miller’s buzzer-beater over Oklahoma State (2018)

TCU went 11-2 in 2011, as we all marveled at Andy Dalton’s successor Casey Pachall zip the ball all around the field. The Frogs headed to Boise as underdogs, though, with the Broncos looking to make another BCS appearance, ranked 5 in the country.

TCU had other ideas, taking the lead over Boise State late thanks to a full on beast mode play from Josh Boyce (a play that may or may not be in the bracket already). It still all came down to a college kicker though, and Dan Goodale wasn’t up to the challenge.

Winner Plays: 1-Seed Welcome Home - TCU Joins Big 12 Conference (2012)