TCU News: “We have set the bar high as a program and we expect to win a lot of football games”

Football:

Behind Patterson’s energy and a young roster, TCU AD sets high expectations for 2021 | The Star-Telegram

2021 feels like THE year. Unfortunately, Iowa State, Oklahoma, and Texas probably all feel the same.

“Gary has got as much energy as I’ve seen in my nine years here at TCU,” Donati said. “This year was hard on everybody and we’ve had to reinvent how to operate a football program in light of the pandemic. After the disappointment of last year, we were all excited to get back to the postseason so there is a sense of some unfinished business among the players and staff after not being able to play in the bowl game.

“We lost some key pieces, but we bring back a number of starters that have played significant time and made big plays for us. I know he’s really fired up about this group’s potential next year and is excited about the future of the program going forward.”

TCU football: JD Spielman is expected to return in 2021, others face decisions | The Star-Telegram

Spielman and Hickey are back, Storment is out, and Myers is TBD.

Spielman, who joined the Frogs as a transfer out of Nebraska last offseason, will take advantage of the NCAA freezing eligibility this fall amid the coronavirus pandemic. Spielman joins others such as defensive tackle Corey Bethley and offensive lineman Blake Hickey returning for an extra season.

A source said offensive lineman Austin Myers is still undecided of whether to return to TCU for the 2021 season, pursue a professional career or possibly transfer.

SMU, TCU extend football series through 2024 | FBS Schedules

Y’all always have opinions on this one.

Instead of skipping the game in Fort Worth and playing in Dallas in 2021, the series was pushed back one season.

The 2022 contest is scheduled for Sept. 24, 2022 and will be played at SMU’s Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

Newly released dates for the SMU-TCU series are Sept. 23, 2023 at TCU and Sept. 21, 2024 at SMU.

The 2021 SMU-TCU game will mark the 100th Battle for the Iron Skillet. The Mustangs and Horned Frogs first met on the gridiron in 1915 and TCU leads the overall series 51-41-7.

Basketball:

3 things that need to happen for TCU to make the NCAA tournament: strong performance against ranked opponents | The Dallas Morning News

Yes, it’s a young backcourt, but the turnovers have been terrible.

Get better at ball control

One thing the TCU has been less than stellar at this season is ball control. TCU is ranked last in the Big 12 with 208 turnovers. This is something that is proving costly. On average opponents score 15.8 points off of turnovers. While the losses to Baylor, Kansas and Oklahoma were all by more than 15.8 points, working on ball control would have made these games closer and given the Frogs a better chance.

TCU is playing tough opponents in the upcoming weeks and they are going to need to limit turnovers in order to come away with a few wins.