Frogs O' War - No. 17 TCU vs. Texas: Frogs go for five straightThe #1 TCU Athletics blog on the internet!https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50293/fow-fav.png2018-09-24T10:30:02-05:00http://www.frogsowar.com/rss/stream/176545092018-09-24T10:30:02-05:002018-09-24T10:30:02-05:00MMQB: Hooked and Hungover
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<img alt="TCU v Texas" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/XTxUJeh2pLYLqMgmlmm4F1phpMY=/0x0:4179x2786/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61513705/1038035066.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>TCU finds itself at a crossroads after dropping the big 12 opener in Austin.</p> <p id="gOPxZG">That game was not alright, not alright, not alright. In our Pick ‘em article I predicted that TCU would come out and be the team that was better coached, better motivated, and would bounce back after the loss from Ohio State. I was wrong on just about every front there. We looked sloppy, missed a lot of opportunities, and frankly got kind of embarrassed. I’m not saying we got spanked, but we just looked like everyone wasn’t on the same page. </p>
<p id="qjhPeU">I’m going to switch it up this week, let’s just jump in right into the bad stuff:</p>
<h1 id="EqRMzf">The Bad:</h1>
<p id="VhfrZB">- Losing to Texas. We almost had the 5 year streak complete...it would’ve set the school record for longest winning streak against the University of Texas. Oh well, looks like we are just going to have to win the next 5 in a row. </p>
<p id="cnedyI">- Dropped passes. We had a couple of dropped passes that would’ve picked us up first downs, and to be honest I’m a little frustrated with Turp as a receiver this year. It’s recency bias, because I know what he is capable of as a receiver, but he’s had some dropped passes the last 2 games and I need to see him get back in form. I know SR hasn’t been putting them in the basket per se, but they aren’t uncatchable. I believe in you Turp. </p>
<p id="gf6s92">- Shawn Robinson’s turnover issues. QB1 had 3 turnovers that he was responsible in this game: 2 picks and a fumble. The first pick was once again a result of him hawk-eyeing his receivers and the DB made a play on the ball after reading Shawn’s eyes. This is something that I’ve pointed out in the past couple of MMQB entries, and he HAS to work on this if he ever wants to reach his ceiling as a passer. He’s got the arm talent for days, I just need to see him take that next level making his reads. The second pick he just didn’t see the safety (at least that’s what it looked like to me) and to be fair it was a good play by the safety. The fumble was probably the biggest momentum killer of the game. It came right after the Horns had missed their second FG of the game and Shawn called his own number but the defender came from behind and knocked the ball loose. </p>
<p id="sAlEmk">Now I’m not going to rip into a 19/20 year old amateur athlete, because I try to be better than that, but this was a bad game from Shawn. I don’t know if Texas just game planned really well for us or if we just executed very poorly. They made our running backs almost a non factor, and forced number 3 into making costly mistakes. Hats off to them there. It is also worth noting that he is only a true sophomore and has started 5 games in his career. He’s not a finished product yet, and has plenty of time left to develop, so hold off on the eject button just yet. This is the first time since the 2007 Andy Dalton season that the Frogs went into a season <em>planning</em> to start an underclassmen under center. Take a deep breath, and trust the coaching staff. The tools are all there, we’ve just got to see Shawn Robinson put them all together. </p>
<p id="slnCEM">- The luck of the schedule - something that is worth noting is that with the Ohio State game being at AT&T stadium in Arlington, the Frogs have not played a legit home game since the season opener. Four full weeks will have gone by when TCU takes the field against Iowa State, and I do believe that this had a bit of a factor in our performance. A team typically builds its confidence and rhythm at home. That’s where 99% of teams are more comfortable playing and as a result tend to win more. I know I’m not shattering any pre-conceived notions by saying this, but it is worth taking a look back at TCU’s schedule: </p>
<ul>
<li id="LQWvkg">Southern at home</li>
<li id="LxbhCw">On the road at SMU (in a thunderstorm)</li>
<li id="6hPqSn">In Jerry world against Ohio State with 70% of Ohio State fans in the stands</li>
<li id="3o9dqf">On the road in Austin to face the Longhorns for the conference opener. </li>
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<p id="TnmBug">I don’t think we’ve established our rhythm on offense yet, because how could we? I’m not trying to make excuses, but I think once we hit this next stretch of games is where we will really see what type of team this is. I thought at the beginning of the season we were a 9-3 type team. After this game against UT we looked closer to a 6-6 team. I can see us going on a 2016 USC like run where once we hit our rhythm and find our identity on offense, we just go on a tear. I can also see us going 2016 TCU and losing some heartbreakers and getting blown out because of self inflicted wounds. Only time will tell. </p>
<p id="PJ0TWO">- Last thing, the turnover drought. It’s been 2 games now since the TCU defense has forced a turnover. We’re going to need to get something up in that column if we want to stay around in those close games. </p>
<h1 id="JcMOwP">The Good:</h1>
<p id="GMZzOK">Well let me see...I liked our uniform combo? Although with the way that we played, I doubt that we’re going to see that combo brought back. </p>
<p id="toLx6V">The team didn’t give me much to work with in this category, but I did like the speed that our defensive ends played with in this one. I know we haven’t seen a lot pop up in the sack category this season for Banogu, but he’s now being game planned for and double teamed on a lot of snaps. We’re going to need big plays from other members of the D-line and I liked what I saw from Collier in this one. He got pressure consistently when the UT offensive line was worn down late in the game. </p>
<h1 id="oc9gW0">Play of the game:</h1>
<p id="9kUIgC">Again there wasn’t a ton to work with here, but I did enjoy the return of the face route when in the red zone (and by enjoy I mean I did not like it, but it worked so what do I know). I present to you........the return of the fade route:</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jalen Reagor with the touchdown from Shawn Robinson. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TCUvsTexas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TCUvsTexas</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TCUFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TCUFootball</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/TexasFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TexasFootball</a> <a href="https://t.co/7iQbfJLDo7">pic.twitter.com/7iQbfJLDo7</a></p>— SWC Round-Up (@swcroundup) <a href="https://twitter.com/swcroundup/status/1043622536930623488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2018</a>
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<h1 id="A9mitW">Up Next: revenge game</h1>
<p id="uUrMsN">I don’t care that we came out sloppy last game. It’s on to the next one, and this is one that I want us to win by 3 scores at MINIMUM. I’m still bitter about losing to Iowa State in a heartbreaker last year...so let’s run them out of the building when they come to town. This is an Iowa State team that gave OU a scare just a couple of weeks ago, so let’s not sleep on them. I don’t want to see the Frogs drop to 2-3, but now is the time to prove what kind of team this is. There’s only one way out of this hole, and this team is going to have to crawl it’s way out.</p>
<p id="2fiARW">- On to the next one.</p>
https://www.frogsowar.com/2018/9/24/17894060/mmqb-hooked-and-hungoverMason Chreene2018-09-23T13:17:20-05:002018-09-23T13:17:20-05:00TCU falls out of the AP Poll
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<img alt="TCU v Texas" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/u6qrPCQiKCFFSJ_h91aGz1DeWuc=/0x0:3780x2520/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61510879/1038128298.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Horned Frogs are unranked for the first time in 2018.</p> <p id="YD4hyf">It was to be expected, after TCU fell to 2-2 on the season, but Sunday it became official - the Horned Frogs are unranked for the first time this season.</p>
<p id="kpnnoB">After opening the preseason as the country’s number sixteen team, the Frogs climbed as high as #15 before falling to #17 after dropping a 40-28 contest to a top five Ohio State team. But after Saturday’s disappointing loss in Austin to (then) unranked Texas, the Frogs are out of the top 25 though they continue to receive votes.</p>
<p id="iMpzu3">Meanwhile, Texas is BACK, folks, as the Horns re-enter the AP poll in week four at #18, one spot behind where the team they beat had previously camped. Oklahoma, who needed OT to evict Army, dropped from five to six, supplanted by an LSU team that has been a steady riser through the first four weeks of the season. Oklahoma State dropped out of the top 25 as well, after a thrashing at home at the hands of Texas Tech, who enters for the first time in a while at #25. Cowboys’ fans must have whiplash - as they seem to rise and fall precipitously week to week. </p>
<p id="MoCBkM">West Virginia, the only team in the Big 12 Conference that has dominated every opponent they’ve faced this season, holds steady at #12, the second highest-ranked Big 12 Conference team.</p>
<p id="cA2RPr">The top ten, for the most part, stayed the same - other than OU swapping places with the Tigers, the only other change was Auburn taking ownership of the tenth position after being previously tied with Washington, who comes in at eleventh.</p>
<p id="MWSkK0">In a clear admittance of “we don’t know anything yet”, Kentucky, Duke, and Cal are all ranked. I would bet the farm that at least two of those three are nowhere near the polls by the end of the regular season, if I were the gambling type.</p>
<p id="McJ07D">The current best team in Texas, the UNT Mean Green, is also receiving votes, and have a chance to be ranked for the first time in forever, should they manage to beat LA Tech next weekend.</p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2018/9/23/17892770/tcu-falls-out-of-the-ap-pollMelissa B. Triebwasser2018-09-23T10:00:01-05:002018-09-23T10:00:01-05:00“Losing is a disease.” Gary Patterson wants to see his players make winning plays
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<img alt="TCU v Texas" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ijoTry5dWAcTRc-7hoQNMleAviI=/791x0:4380x2393/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61506851/1038083848.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>No excuses from TCU’s head coach - he needs to see players take advantage of their opportunities when given their shot.</p> <p id="VAyN86">Texas beat TCU Saturday, and absolutely deserved the win. The Longhorns out played the Frogs in all aspects of the game, but it’s hard not to look back on what transpired and not see TCU shooting themselves in the foot time and time again.</p>
<p id="Z5ii5y">As disheartening as the loss is - the first in the last five tries and first in Austin since TCU joined the Big 12 - it’s how Tom Herman beat the Frogs that hurt the most, because of how familiar it was. “They’re doing what they need to do on offense to win ballgames, and they’re letting their defense win the ballgame for them. It’s a good game plan. We know that game plan very well. That’s how we’ve been here 21 years sometimes. So this is no different than Andy Dalton in 2007.”</p>
<p id="BItwDf">Nailed it.</p>
<p id="lgymh0">Texas did to TCU what TCU did to so many teams at the height of their Group of Five dominance - controlling the tempo, forcing turnovers, and ensuring their quarterback didn’t lose games for them. Sam Ehlinger had a big game Saturday, attempting 32 passes, completing 22 of them to rack up over 250 yards. He found Collin Johnson for 124 of those yards in the talented receiver’s best game of the young season. But it wasn’t the statistics that cost the Horned Frogs a win in Austin, it was their lack of execution. And to Gary Patterson, that means taking a long, hard look in the mirror - for him and his entire program. “You’ve got to get ready to go. You’ve got to get ready to play. And for my sake, the way I look at it, you’re going to be critical -- I’ve got to change things up. Everybody needs to be critical of themselves, myself, anybody else.”</p>
<p id="UzY6ZX">One of the moments that many were critical of was the decision to punt late in the game, with less than three minutes to play and the Frogs on their own 38. Many felt that TCU was giving up by punting on fourth and four in that situation - that having two timeouts was not reason enough to give Texas back the ball. TCU would get the ball back with less than 90 seconds remaining, and the game thoroughly out of reach. Patterson was, of course, asked about that decision in the post game, and defended his thinking. “I had two time-outs, so -- I don’t play to lose. I don’t play to get through it, but I had two. I knew if I could stop them on 1st down and give them the ball on the 34-yard line, they’re just kicking another field goal. I know how to manage games. It wasn’t that play that got us beat, I can promise you that. And you had a backup quarterback in the game.” Yes, Michael Collins entered the game after Shawn Robinson took a big hit on first down, but it was still somewhat puzzling in the moment. Did that call cost TCU the game? Absolutely not. Did it feel akin to taking a knee? For many of the folks watching, sure. But Patterson has more than earned the benefit of the doubt over his 18 seasons as head coach of the Horned Frogs.</p>
<p id="SIn3Pw">At the end of the day, TCU is now facing an unfamiliar position - losers of two straight for the first time in what seems like forever (but actually, October of 2016), they have to pull themselves up off the mat and find a way to beat an Iowa State team that has given them fits recently. So what message did GP have for his guys in the locker room? “Losing is a disease. I told them about six weeks ago about little things. When it’s your turn to make a play, when things are going good, somebody finds a way to make a play. Things aren’t, somebody finds not a way to make a play. You’ve got to find a way to make guys make plays, and there was guys that made plays today, we just need to make more of them.”</p>
<p id="BMpYF6">The Frogs do indeed need to find ways to make more plays - having gone without forcing a turnover since the SMU game, TCU has turned the ball over six times themselves in that span. The defense, that has been so solid, needs to get stingier - and find a way to wreak havoc and force turnovers. The offense has to be more consistent - Shawn Robinson needs to run more and turn it over less, the wide receivers need to not have drive and momentum killing drops, and the offensive line has to find a way to create holes for the running backs. These are all fixable things.</p>
<p id="vHEU7y">TCU just needs to play up to their ability for four quarters, something that is incredibly doable, but hasn’t been done, yet, this season.</p>
<p id="4X9tAa">But, don’t expect Gary Patterson, or his team, to panic. This isn’t his first rodeo, after all. “We’ve been here before. In that 40 games we’ve won the last four years, one of them was a 6 and 7. How do you try to win more than that? All we have a chance to win is 10 right now, because you’ve lost two. You get the next one, then you get the next one. How do you get to 10? Since you don’t have a chance at 12, how do you get to 10?”</p>
<p id="Aih4y0">The Frogs will try and get to ten next weekend, when they return home for the first time in four weeks. Maybe a little home-cooking and the Frog faithful will be just what the doctor ordered for a TCU team that needs some positive momentum. </p>
<p id="fAo9ug">Let’s see them win the next one.</p>
https://www.frogsowar.com/2018/9/23/17891710/losing-is-a-disease-gary-patterson-wants-to-see-his-players-make-winning-playsMelissa B. Triebwasser2018-09-22T05:00:02-05:002018-09-22T05:00:02-05:00How to watch TCU vs. Texas: TV Channel, Game Time, Streaming, Etc.
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<img alt="Texas v TCU" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lAWKXKi8DTS7SLSLb48GKSOKgbo=/0x77:4270x2924/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61500861/870336556.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Richard W. Rodriguez/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Here’s how you can follow the Frogs on Saturday. </p> <p id="Au1pNE">TCU looks to improve upon their current four-game winning streak over the Longhorns with a win in Austin Saturday. There are several stoylines heading into this one - “rejects” vs. blue chips, is Texas really back, etc. We know you’ll want to follow along. Here’s how you can. </p>
<p id="NeOJaS"><strong>Time</strong>: 3:30pm</p>
<p id="TPUbDp"><strong>TV: </strong>FOX | <strong>Live stream: </strong><a href="https://www.foxsportsgo.com/">FOX Sports GO</a></p>
<p id="egwYiq"><strong>Radio</strong></p>
<p id="5jaMcr">88.7 KTCU</p>
<p id="ZkjaM8">WBAP AM820/99.5HD2</p>
<p id="NydgE2">You can also stream the live broadcast on your smartphone anywhere in the world with the TUNEIN App, then search TCU Sports Network or online at <a href="http://tunein.com/tcu"><strong>tunein.com/tcu</strong></a>.</p>
<p id="AFgZV3"><strong>Watch Party</strong></p>
<p id="TxNvz5">There are tons of watch parties all over the country, if you can’t get the game at home, or want to be with other Frogs. Just <a href="https://alumni.tcu.edu/new/2018-gwp-texas"><strong>check out the list</strong></a> on the TCU Alumni website, and there’s probably one near you!</p>
<p id="mBZ37I"><strong>Odds</strong></p>
<p id="P1UWTg">TCU is currently a 2.5-point favorite heading into Saturday’s matchup, according to <a href="https://sports.bovada.lv/football/college"><strong>Bovada.com</strong></a>. The Over/Under is set at 62.</p>
https://www.frogsowar.com/2018/9/22/17889586/how-to-watch-tcu-vs-texas-tv-channel-game-time-streaming-etcJamie Plunkett2018-09-21T10:00:07-05:002018-09-21T10:00:07-05:00Round Table: State of the Frogs as they enter Big 12 play
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<img alt="TCU Football vs Ohio State | September 15, 2018" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/3GsEi4lKZMm3arMpgjANW4DigYQ=/0x0:3000x2000/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61485979/Gary_Patterson_15.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>TCU Football vs Ohio State | September 15, 2018 | Melissa Triebwasser</figcaption>
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<p>We gathered the FOW crew to talk TCU ahead of the Big 12 opener. </p> <p id="16WA03">TCU Football opens Big 12 play tomorrow, taking on Texas in Austin as they look to run their record t0 3-1 and begin the conference season on a high note. We gathered a few Frogs O’ War staff members to give their thoughts on the game, the season, and what to expect going forward.</p>
<p id="jOw8hF"><em><strong>The Big 12 has played one conference game this year, but, for the rest of the league, the season starts Saturday. How are you feeling about TCU as they begin conference play?</strong></em></p>
<p id="mPoAav"><strong>Mason Chreene</strong>: Pretty good all things considered. I watched us keep things pretty competitive with the best team that we are likely to play all year(?). We played with a lot of speed in that one, and the defense looked like it was up to the task for almost the entire game. Now playing a big 12 offense is different than a big 10 offense, but I think a 10 win season isn’t out of the question. </p>
<p id="LttBB9"><strong>Chris Conaty:</strong> I think TCU is in a really good position as they enter Big 12 play and look like they should be legitimate contenders for a conference championship. Shawn Robinson still has to improve his decision-making and take care of the ball a little better, but once he does, look out. This offense is filled with offensive playmakers and can keep up with any offense in the Big 12. Add in another vaunted Coach P defense and the Frogs should be able to position themselves to get back to Arlington.</p>
<p id="9yDj93"><strong>Grant McGalliard: </strong>The Ohio State game, despite the loss, made me feel more confident about TCU than I did beforehand. The offense can score against an elite defense, and the Frogs’ defense can stop a good offense. Oklahoma and West Virginia are the two games I’m worried about, and the Sooners will have to come to Fort Worth this year. TCU should be set up well to return to the Big 12 title game. </p>
<p id="bNE4d1"><strong>Parker Fleming: </strong>TCU could finish fourth in the Big 12 this year, easily. They could also finish first. Two factors there - one, the Big 12 is tight and uncertainty abounds. Two, TCU has potential - that first half against Ohio State demonstrated that TCU can, for some period of time, hang with - and even beat - anyone. The second half against Ohio State demonstrated that TCU can, for some period of time, play as if they have two left feet. Can TCU figure out how to sustain the up without crashing into the down? Still uncertain, for me. </p>
<p id="NbEns6"><em><strong>We have seen several B12 teams get big OOC wins - whose win was most impressive, which loss hurts the most?</strong></em></p>
<p id="GEMHMm"><strong>Mason Chreene:</strong> Most impressive - Kansas over Rutgers. Take that Big 12 haters. Which loss hurts the most? Probably watching Kansas State get run over by Mississippi State, who is probably going to be the 4th best team in the SEC West. </p>
<p id="QYQPVp"><strong>Chris Conaty:</strong> For me, the Oklahoma State win over one of the top G5 teams in the country led by an experienced QB was the most impressive win thus far for the Big 12. Texas over USC though was a close 2nd. The toughest loss for the conference was Iowa State dropping their rivalry game at Iowa. It was a tough game but it will be used as a measuring stick for the middle of the packs in the Big 12 and Big Ten. I think people expected more from the Cyclones this year than they have showed.</p>
<p id="8DzdeR"><strong>Grant McGalliard: </strong>I’ll split the difference with Mason and Chris and say the most impressive win was Oklahoma State trouncing Boise State, while the most disappointing loss was Kansas State getting beaten at its own game by Mississippi State. The Cowboys looked like they haven’t lost a step even without Mason Rudolph and James Washington, and the defense under new coordinator Jim Knowles is much improved. Meanwhile, if Kansas State doesn’t find a way to score soon, it’s going to get ugly. </p>
<p id="h3oQSS"><strong>Parker Fleming: </strong>I’m just not sure how you can answer this other than the Boise State win for Oklahoma State. Strong defensive and special teams performance, in a game that the “cool” off-brand narrative suggested they should lose. TCU losing to Ohio State certainly hurts, just in terms of depth for playoff chance, I think, but Texas will remember losing to Maryland clearly should they get an underwhelming bowl assignment. </p>
<p id="0cVT3s"><em><strong>Oklahoma is clearly the favorite to be one of the two teams playing in Arlington in December, but which team (outside of TCU) do you feel has the best odds to make it to the Big 12 Championship game?</strong></em></p>
<p id="8FS80Q"><strong>Mason Chreene: </strong>My gut tells me that if it’s not TCU it would be West Virginia, but a couple of things give me pause for that one. 1) Will Grier has never played a full season of college football. 2) Dana has a tendency to underperform when his team sets their expectations high in September. I think the real sleeper is Oklahoma State. I still don’t know how good they really are, but I know Mike Gundy is a consistently good coach very much like Patterson. My eyes are now closely on the Pokes for the rest of the year. </p>
<p id="fS95yQ"><strong>Chris Conaty: </strong>I’m with Mason in thinking the favorite still has to be West Virginia. Will Grier has absolutely lived up to the hype so far and it’s unfortunate their game this past weekend was cancelled because they likely would’ve added a solid P5 win to the conference’s resume.</p>
<p id="35pXqt"><strong>Grant McGalliard: </strong>It’s West Virginia. WIll Grier might have the best receiving corps in the country surrounding him, and the Mountaineers will host both TCU and Oklahoma, giving them much-needed home field advantage. </p>
<p id="VFcoq6"><strong>Parker Fleming: </strong>This is tight. West Virginia is going to have an injury - they’re just too thin, but their defense has improved and looked decent. Oklahoma State is surprising, but do they have the grit? Texas might be good. They might also be bad. I’m going to go on a limb and say Iowa State sneaks into third this season. </p>
<p id="79vut9"><em><strong>After three games, the Horned Frogs are 2-1 and have shown flashes of being potentially really good. Gary Patterson, too, has said that he thinks his team will be really good by the end of the season. What is your expectation for TCU in the Big 12 this year? How good are they?</strong></em></p>
<p id="KZ1GCu"><strong>Mason Chreene: </strong>TCU IS RUNNING THE TABLE. Okay, actually I need to see how we play against Texas before I can really set my expectations for how this team will look in conference play. I know that we are a little prone to making young mistakes on special teams as well as the occasional head scratcher on offense, but the defense looks rock solid. I think we’re good, but I need to see us be great. I need to see us put fear in opposing teams’ defenses before I claim us as the <a href="https://media.giphy.com/media/E2HLVCttKONCo/giphy.gif">Big 12’s reckoning</a>. </p>
<p id="7narMN"><strong>Chris Conaty:</strong> I don’t want to say that TCU is going to win the Big 12, but I think they should absolutely finish in the top 3 of the conference. The four teams I could see playing in the Big 12 title game right now are Oklahoma, TCU, West Virginia, and Oklahoma State - in that order. The Frogs have the benefit of playing 2 of those at home and the toughest one of those two, Oklahoma, after a Thursday game, giving Coach P more time to prepare.</p>
<p id="wgbJjL"><strong>Grant McGalliard: </strong>I’ll say the Frogs go 8-1 in conference, with a win we’ll be really excited about (Oklahoma or at West Virginia) and a loss we won’t like (Oklahoma State or -- <em>gulp </em>-- Texas.) If the Frogs don’t make it to Arlington with this defense and these skill players, it’ll be difficult to not call this season a disappointment. </p>
<p id="MG7vfY"><strong>Parker Fleming: </strong>Disappointing October loss. Who knows what to do with Oklahoma State in November - the Frogs usually gain steam towards the end, where OSU usually loses it. I think 7-2 in conference, with a loss to Oklahoma and a dumb loss on top of it probably sets the ceiling for TCU - it’s hard to shake how easily that third quarter devolved last week. </p>
<p id="ztF8rp"><em><strong>Through 3 weeks what individual TCU player performance has gotten you really excited? Which performance has gotten you worried?</strong></em></p>
<p id="m3yY30"><strong>Mason Chreene: </strong>I feel like the obvious answer will be Shawn Robinson, rightfully so since QB is the most important position in sports, so I’ll take a different route. I’ve really liked what I’ve seen from Innis Gaines. He stood out last year and was a playmaker, but this year I have a feeling he’s going to reach a whole other level. The guy flies to the ball, flies to the QB, blitzes like a mad man, and has hops to bat the ball down. I love having a fun safety to watch. Chris Hackett is in my top 3 favorite TCU players to watch play, and Innis reminds me a lot of Hackett in terms of how fun he is to watch. He’s got a little bit of Earl Thomas speed with a dash of Eric Reid’s prowess to lay the boom. In terms of performances that get me concerned, I’d like to see a bit more run stopping from the middle of our line. I know Patterson takes pride in stopping the run, but if I have to pick a nit after 3 weeks, that’s the one..and yes I know full well the SMU game was played in a rainstorm. </p>
<p id="BVsd6v"><strong>Chris Conaty: </strong>I agree with Mason that Innis Gaines has been exciting to watch. I remember his high school highlights and he was a hard hitter and a ball hawk so it’s nice to see him finally breaking out. Plus, I love how he is always hyping up fans and getting people involved. Since Mason went in depth on Innis, I’m also going to add in senior LB Alec Dunham who has made some major plays so far this season. He’s a great dude and it’s nice to see him breakout as well. Not much has gotten me worried yet, but if I had to pick one thing - it’s probably the kicking game. We’ll see if GP sticks with Bunce for field goals or starts giving Song opportunities.</p>
<p id="oxyUGG"><strong>Grant McGalliard: </strong>Man alive, Jalen Reagor is good. I know he was expected to be the No 1 receiver coming into this season, so it’s not like this comes as a surprise to anybody. But I didn’t expect him to be as reliably dominant as he has been. He’s not Josh Doctson yet, obviously, but his potential could fill up Amon G. Carter Stadium. As Shawn Robinson gets more comfortable at quarterback, expect to see those two form a formidable partnership.</p>
<p id="2f1KPM">Adam Nunez dropped a punt and broke my heart. I want to see the most underrated punter in the nation hit his stride again. </p>
<p id="P0W9FK"><strong>Parker Fleming: </strong>I’ve been generally impressed with the wide receiver play, but Garret Wallow as a true freshman has embedded himself as a rock in this defense. He is very on brand for a TCU player - overlooked, works hard, kind of crazy. It’s nice to see Ridwan Issahaku contributing, as well. I’m very positive on the individual defensive performances. On the negative side, how have we not figured out special teams yet? Snap, kick, easy. </p>
<p id="PPnGBy"><em><strong>We did not have a single coach in the Big 12 fired this past season. Do you think that will happen again this year? If not, who is the one that gets fired first?</strong></em></p>
<p id="Sqwj0E"><strong>Mason Chreene: </strong></p>
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<p id="jR8EIy">Sadly, no I don’t think we are going to see everyone back next year, and if I had to guess who...I think it’s Kliffy. I really love having Kingsbury in the Big 12, he just fits our MO really well. However, I think if Tech doesn’t make it to 7 wins this year then he is going to be out. </p>
<p id="6O7ORu"><strong>Chris Conaty: </strong>I think Beaty is still most likely to go, especially with a new AD. However, I doubt he does, so long as he picks up at least one conference win.</p>
<p id="P3UP3W"><strong>Grant McGalliard: </strong>Kingsbury has to make a bowl. If he doesn’t, he’s gone -- and I don’t think Tech’s defense is nearly as improved as some have claimed. So I’ll say Kliff, whom I sincerely like.I hope he finds an OC job somewhere and kills it. </p>
<p id="pTaaxd"><strong>Parker Fleming: </strong>Beatty is gone. He just, he’s gone. But, try this on: Kliff Kingsbury, Hawaii Offensive Coordinator. </p>
<p id="hdoRVQ"><em><strong>Yes it is a ways away, but what team do you want TCU to play in it’s bowl game? (Assuming we make one, and it cannot be a CFB playoff game)</strong></em></p>
<p id="eCkUaA"><strong>Mason Chreene: </strong>I would absolutely love to play Notre Dame. I would love for us to absolutely get the chance to play another big brand name this year. Imagine it, TCU vs Notre Dame in the fiesta bowl. I’d love to visit Phoenix, catch some Suns basketball and watch TCU put the beat down on the Irish. </p>
<p id="oldkN6"><strong>Chris Conaty:</strong> LSU. Sugar Bowl.</p>
<p id="75mCQk"><strong>Grant McGalliard: </strong>What Chris said, if only so I have an excuse to eat beignets and hit up Bourbon Street.</p>
<p id="D7jyiN"><strong>Parker Fleming: </strong>New Orleans is a fun time. I’d love to play a name brand school. Just, NY6, and a name brand school - please let’s avoid the G5 game. </p>
<p id="8YOckW"><em><strong>Now that we’ve seen this team in action a bit, what would it take for you to consider this season a “success” vs a “failure”?</strong></em></p>
<p id="jMSKK8"><strong>Mason Chreene: </strong>I think that getting to 9 wins before the bowl season would be where I would draw the line for this TCU team. I think we have the talent and the ability to get there. I think 2 losses in conference is what i’m preparing myself for. I don’t need a return trip to the Big 12 title game to consider this season a success, but if I see those young bucks developing, getting in those reps then I’ll be able to sleep comfortably knowing that this season is a success. It’ll only be a failure in my eyes if we absolutely collapse down the stretch and lose to Baylor (holds back expletives). Also this season is a success if Ben Banogu gets 15 sacks, full stop. </p>
<p id="Bmud5r"><strong>Chris Conaty: </strong>Top 4 in the Big 12 is what I would measure as a success for our team at this point. Outside of the Oklahoma schools and West Virginia, I don’t think any of the other teams should finish higher than us.</p>
<p id="husfKf"><strong>Grant McGalliard: </strong>I said above that this team should make it to Arlington. But if there’s a weird tiebreaker and the Frogs finish third, there will be plenty of reasons to think that next year could be TCU’s year. </p>
<p id="uMJVSM"><strong>Parker Fleming: </strong>Fewer than 9 wins heading will feel like a disappointment, although I cannot distinguish if that’s reality or entitlement. As I’ve mentioned, TCU has serious talent, but also demonstrated some pretty low floors early on. I expect them to normalize. I have no delusions of us running the table in the Big 12, or even winning the championship game beating someone twice. I’d be happy with beating everyone in Texas, splitting the Oklahomas, and just leaving Morgantown healthy to get back to Arlington this December. </p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2018/9/21/17885350/round-table-state-of-the-frogs-as-they-enter-big-12-playMelissa B. Triebwasser2018-09-21T08:30:02-05:002018-09-21T08:30:02-05:00Frogs O’ War Podcast: Texas Preview
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<p>Jamie and Melissa preview TCU’s upcoming game in Austin. </p> <p id="esyltk">We have (most) of the audio issues fixed! Creeping towards the ever elusive perfectly produced podcast. </p>
<p id="2NFzba">Jamie and Melissa preview TCU’s matchup with Texas, where a win could set the new record for consecutive victories over the Longhorns (5). Picks to click, matchups to watch, and opinions about Barton Simmons’ “roster of rejects” comments abound.</p>
<p id="RmHZpG">Also - an update on the One Chip Challenge punishment, which Jamie will perform on Facebook Live following TCU’s game against Iowa State.</p>
<p id="jHe9jJ">As always, give us a rating and review on iTunes, and subscribe wherever you can find us! Thanks for listening. </p>
<div id="vwgHnl"><iframe src="https://www.podbean.com/media/player/efjgf-9a5a5c?from=yiiadmin&skin=11&btn-skin=101&share=1&fonts=Helvetica&auto=0&download=0&rtl=0" scrolling="no" data-name="pb-iframe-player" width="100%" height="100" frameborder="0"></iframe></div>
https://www.frogsowar.com/2018/9/21/17885866/frogs-o-war-podcast-texas-previewJamie Plunkett2018-09-20T15:00:02-05:002018-09-20T15:00:02-05:00Football 201: Ohio State Recap, Texas Advanced Stats Preview
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<img alt="TCU Football vs Ohio State | September 15, 2018" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/cVOSD028LU7dgH0ySXCMpp6oQF4=/232x224:2519x1749/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61481805/Trevontae_Hights.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>TCU Football vs Ohio State | September 15, 2018 | Melissa Triebwasser</figcaption>
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<p>Behind the numbers on TCU’s recent loss, and how the Horns and Frogs stack up.</p> <h3 id="sjzxZ7">
<a href="https://www.footballstudyhall.com/2018/2/2/16963820/college-football-advanced-stats-glossary"><strong>Advanced Stats Glossary</strong></a><br><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vSDwtvoor9Kuhi9x4umu2rfqkGSoYKwvnnYxP-n4UHiYop3sQd9vE88gLLiG3xys7yqc6TWOR9HH4c4/pubhtml"><strong>Five Factors Box Scores</strong></a><br><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQ2e9xV7-ClihFVJ3kla0ZDxzFCQ7-WXvQRur-nK6gOzo333PqSetw52kEGgbXKb6viGZSbYuJugvRR/pubhtml#"><strong>Team Advanced Stats Profiles</strong></a>
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<p id="p62Hpx">Greetings, friends and Frogs, and welcome to your weekly behind the numbers look at TCU football. Below, I recap the Ohio State loss and preview the Texas matchup, all from the perspective of the margins, peripherals, and unseen trends. <br><small><em>Author’s note: No graphs this week. Life happens, sometimes. </em></small></p>
<h1 id="b7YrmD">Last Week: <a href="https://www.landgrantholyland.com/"><strong>Ohio State Buckeyes</strong></a> (Postgame win probability 63.1%) 40, <a href="https://www.frogsowar.com/"><strong>TCU Horned Frogs</strong></a> (36.9%) 28</h1>
<ul><li id="Ex1teN"><strong>What went right for the Frogs?</strong></li></ul>
<p id="lm29ci">Well, if you erased a four minute stretch in the third quarter, a whole lot went right. Last week, I mentioned that TCU would have to figure out a way to break some long, downfield plays if they were to compete against the Buckeyes. Their IsoPPP (90th in the country heading into the matchup) bumped all the way up to fifty-eighth this week on the back of a 51 yard Tre’Vontae Hights touchdown and 93 and 16 yard rushing touchdowns for Darius Anderson. The offensive line had a first half demonstrating they can hang with anyone. TCU may not face a better defensive front seven all season, and the Frogs moved the ball well - a 40.8% success rate, which includes the late floundering by the Frogs - and 6 scoring opportunities (4.7 points per) to the Buckeyes’ 7 (3.9 points per).</p>
<p id="Ap9yzj">The defense contained the 2nd best offense, according to <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/10/13/16457830/college-football-advanced-stats-analytics-rankings">S&P</a>+, in the nation in an under-appreciated manner. I won’t harp too long on this, but teams like Penn State moved up in S&P+ this week after playing Kent State because the Nittany Lions were projected to cover and did much more. Somehow, covering the spread against an elite team is a net negative for TCU, though. I’m tuning into a deeper examination of the dynamics of S&P+, and because it penalized the Frogs for this game, I’m going to attempt some other reasoning to explain how well the Frogs played, outside of a disastrous 4 minutes. </p>
<p id="PbDNxL">Ohio State had 11 drives, 525 total yards, and 3 offensive Touchdowns (plus a field goal). That averages out to 47.7 yards per drive for Ohio State, 2.18 points per drive. The Buckeyes averaged over six points per scoring opportunity heading into the TCU game, and that number is now well below six - TCU held the Buckeyes to nearly half their average points in a scoring opportunity. The Buckeyes were averaging north of 4 points per drive, and TCU held the Buckeyes to nearly half that. Anyway you look at the non-special teams, non-turnover play, TCU absolutely outplayed the Buckeyes. Somehow, that means that TCU is more like Indiana, Kentucky, and App State than Michigan State, Notre Dame, or Memphis. Something is wonky with opponent adjustments, if that’s the case, or the influence of special teams and turnovers is vastly overstated. </p>
<ul><li id="TEQ5C2"><strong>What went wrong? </strong></li></ul>
<p id="UBTSwk">I’ll keep this brief, as we all watched the game. Two statistics tell the story of the game.<br><strong>Turnover Margin: </strong>Ohio State +3, TCU -3<br><strong>Average Starting Field Position: </strong>Ohio State 30.1, TCU 18.9.</p>
<p id="RhiEap">That won’t do. The Frogs’ ~40% postgame win probability is a testament to the defense’s play on Saturday. TCU couldn’t get ahead of field position, and consistently found themselves in exposed positions. Guess what Ohio State does excellently? Takes advantage of an exposed team. TCU can hang with anyone, but the field position has to get better. (I’ve always said, “You can’t fumble a snap out of the end zone if you’re not standing right in front of the end zone.”)</p>
<h1 id="fEO0fR">This Week: <strong>TCU Horned Frogs</strong> (25th S&P+, 27th in Offense, 41st in Defense) at <a href="https://www.barkingcarnival.com/"><strong>Texas Longhorns</strong></a><strong> </strong>(43rd, 62nd, 39th)</h1>
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<p id="SuCOav">The matchup this weekend in Austin, forecast to be a wet one, features two teams at polar opposites, an established power taking on a scrappy up-and-comer with (allegedly) new life. A sound fundamental team with a palpable identity versus an ethereal mess of talent and grit, smashing together, with state and conference dominance on the line. TCU, reeling from a close but definite loss to Ohio State, heads to Austin to take a stand and right the ship at the start of conference play, as the hosting Longhorns, riding high on a drubbing of nominal powerhouse USC, look to prove they are, for real this time we promise, ‘back’. </p>
<h2 id="dJscB3">When Texas has the ball:</h2>
<p id="SrIICb">The Longhorn offense, simply put, doesn’t have a “thing”. Three drives went for more than 8 plays last week, and both the Longhorns’ non-garbage touchdowns last week against USC were more a story of USC’s tackling than Texas’s efficiency. Texas moves the ball at a below average rate, 43% against Maryland, Tulsa, and USC. Much of Texas’s success came against USC, as the Trojan’s 87th ranked offense struggled to move the ball and withstand the heat of Austin. Despite a second half collapse and a terrible offense, USC still had a 42% postgame win probability. Putting together that logic - after Texas’ “thumping” USC, the Trojans still had a better statistical chance of winning that game profile than TCU did against Ohio State. Not exactly an encouraging sign for the Horns, but to their credit, they are starting to normalize a bit after a week one embarrassment. </p>
<p id="jI3fqC">All in all, Texas moves the ball at an about average clip, hampered by their abysmal starting field position (27.9 yard line, 94th in the nation). TCU is allowing opponents to start at the 26 yard line, good enough for 31st in the country. Here again we come to another game where TCU can do themselves favors by, I don’t know, not kicking the opening kickoff out of bounds? </p>
<p id="cFlxoL">In the rushing game, Texas gets stuffed at the line 18.4% of the time (64th in the country), indicating offensive line problems on which TCU’s defensive line will love to feast (23.1% stuff rate, 39th in the country) . The Texas OL provides just an average push; the opportunity rate is 58th in the nation, hovering right about 49% (TCU allows 46.2, good for 73rd, but I tend to believe this is more schematic than executive). The Longhorns tend towards passing on Standard Downs, and running on Passing Downs, indicating perhaps some gamesmanship in UT’s play-calling. The Longhorns are well above average at avoiding open field tackles - only 77.6% of their tackles come in the open field, 34th in the nation. TCU’s defense can flip this game by making tackles in the open field, avoiding those second and third effort conversions; a 21st overall Havoc Rate indicates TCU excels here. </p>
<p id="03AIcq">Finally, the Longhorns get in to third down situations quite a bit (85th in the nation at “first downs coming on first or second down”), but move the ball well enough on third to convert (44.1%, 48th in the nation). 54.4% of those third downs classify as “third and long”, and that brings trouble for conversion. TCU’s defense ranks 8th in the nation at 8% third-and-long success rate, so you can see this as a focal point for the matchup - note, TCU held Ohio State to 4/12 on third down last week, and that gave the Frogs a chance to be competitive up until the very end of the game. A similar performance could yield much better results this week against an offense trying to find itself. </p>
<p id="sRY3XQ"><strong>Key Points:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="iErzB2"><strong>Third Down Success</strong></li>
<li id="3JzvNE"><strong>Missed Tackles/ Open-Field Tackles</strong></li>
<li id="8g5hTe"><strong>Field Position</strong></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="Ci75sw">When TCU has the ball:</h2>
<p id="Jssf2y">The TCU offense hinges on the ability to create space, reflected in their below average run rates (TCU prefers to pass, even when that pass is a backfield toss, effectively a “spread pitch”), their 78.1% solo tackles rate, and 13.6 havoc rate allowed (32nd and 49th in the nation). This means TCU gets the ball into the open field without allowing a blow up (havoc), forcing a defender to make a play (solo tackle). TCU’s offense, despite youth at it’s helm an the approximately 17 new starters on offensive line (depending on which national outlet is getting this wrong), moves the ball better than most; their 52.8% success rate is 12th in the nation. TCU is fairly average outside that elite success rate, though; their explosiveness has improved, as discussed before, but their points per scoring opportunity is mediocre, and their turnover margin really hamstrung them against an Ohio State team they could have beaten. <br><br>The TCU offensive line is 8th in opportunity rate, 7th in standard down yards per carry, and 31st in Standard Downs sack rate. Those numbers all drop significantly for passing downs, and that confirms the story of the season; when TCU can start in good field position, get ahead of the sticks, they set themselves up to gain chunks of yardage (and even pop off a big play). The Horns stop the run effectively, ranking in the top 25 in both opponent opportunity rate and stuff rate, and a more than respectable 1.83 line yards. Against a Texas team well above average in opportunity rate and sack rate, the Frogs offensive line will have to work to create space for runs and to give <span>Shawn Robinson</span> time to make quality decisions and place the ball downfield. </p>
<p id="kkuQUs">Texas’s defense, contrary to its offense, knows itself well - the 39th ranked Longhorn defense holds opponents to a 34.4% success rate (29th in the country) and only 3.63 (29th) points per scoring drive. The Horns rank 12th in third and long success rate, meaning the Frogs will have to avoid digging holes, because, much like Ohio State, Texas will make you pay for sluggish first and second downs. Texas’s defense has not done much in the way of defending passes - 59.3% completion rate is 73rd in the nation, and the 34.1% PD to INC ratio is just about average - or getting pressure - the Horns have a 2.0% adjusted sack rate and a 4.3% DL Havoc rate (123rd and 81st in the country), and so if the Frogs can make their blocks, they should move </p>
<p id="phQMny"><strong>Key Points:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li id="Zj2xil"><strong>Can I say field position again?</strong></li>
<li id="PZTBPw"><strong>Converting scoring opportunities</strong></li>
<li id="jlW2Wk"><strong>First and Second Down Success</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3 id="zpmppj"><strong>What to expect:</strong></h3>
<p id="7c867U">The Longhorns will come out ready to play, but have been hapless against the Frogs the last few years despite reasons to be excited - remember the “Save Charlie Strong” game? I expect this to be tooth and nail, and maybe a little bit on the pointsy side, but far from a shootout. </p>
<p id="fzH71O">S&P+ says TCU 30, Texas 27. My gut tells me this is close, but I’m gonna say the Frogs score one late again, similar to last year, after the Texas defense finally broke from bending. </p>
<p id="uGKERe"><strong>TCU 33, Texas 24. </strong></p>
<h1 id="V40Fuf">What Else I’m Watching:</h1>
<p id="SDPpvp"><em>Note: Shout out to </em><a href="http://LSUfootball.net"><em>LSUfootball.net</em></a><em>, randomly the best place for schedules and watching info for all of CFB.</em></p>
<p id="zyKHAn"><strong>Thursday/Friday: </strong>I’m not going out of my way to watch Tulsa/Temple, but FAU/UCF should be a fun first half. Wazzou and USC should be a snoozer.</p>
<p id="PPBwx3"><strong>Saturday (Early): </strong>Kind of a thin slate this week, especially early on. I’d probably watch Georgia at Missouri until it gets uninteresting, and flip to either Notre Dame at Wake Forest or BC at Purdue, both games that should be one sided but could get weird. </p>
<p id="XmlP4d"><strong>Saturday (Afternoon): </strong>Aside from the Frogs, I’m very interested in the Kansas-Baylor game. A win against Baylor, and then Kansas just has to find three more for a bowl. </p>
<p id="ozFfyM"><strong>Saturday (Post-Frogs): </strong>Texas Tech-Oklahoma State, Wisconsin-Iowa, Arkansas-Auburn, Arizona State-Washington, Duquesne at Hawaii, oh my. I rescind my prior comments about a thin week - I’ll be working my DVR hard this weekend.</p>
<p id="OS4h6D">What are you watching this week? Any games I missed? What are your thoughts about the Texas matchup? What are your thoughts about which TCU player the Steelers should draft this year? (Really, please don’t talk about that last one again.)</p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2018/9/20/17867172/football-201-ohio-state-recap-texas-advanced-stats-previewstatsowar2018-09-20T14:00:01-05:002018-09-20T14:00:01-05:00Texas is Alright, Alright, Alright?: A Q&A with Burnt Orange Nation
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<img alt="NCAA Football: Southern California at Texas" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TFFm3ba3WHGURp-J_uBZGiVngQk=/0x0:2664x1776/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/61478791/usa_today_11256544.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We talked to BON to find out how happy Texas fans are, how good Sam Ehlinger is, and what CDC is up to in Austin.</p> <p id="Hx7EGh">For both Texas and TCU, Saturday signals the beginning of the Big 12 season, and an important step in asserting themselves of being contenders in a conference that many see as Oklahoma and everyone else.</p>
<p id="3nijAU">To get a bead on just how good Herman’s Horns are, we talked with Gerald Goodridge of the excellent Burnt Orange Nation, who gave us insight into Sam Ehlinger, the new fan experience under Chris Del Conte, and much more.</p>
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<p id="2aH7xi">Frogs O’ War: It has been another up and down season in Austin, and the reviews are decidedly mixed regarding Tom Herman as he enters his 17th game as head coach of Texas. But after a disappointing start to the season, the Horns blew the doors off of a (stupidly) ranked USC team. Are people coming around on Herman being the guy to lead UT back - for real?</p>
<p id="Z5z5tp"><em>Gerald Goodridge: While I think the performance against USC did a lot to stem some of the tide that was moving in on Tom Herman, I think if Texas suffers a few ugly losses, fans will probably be right back to calling for his head. I said in my season preview that this feels like a Texas team that will lose a game it shouldn’t (checked that one off early), and win a game that it shouldn’t, specifically TCU, WVU or OU. If Texas wins one of those games big, or two of them close, I think it will go a long way to softening people’s hearts to Coach Herman. </em></p>
<p id="nIJxVY">FOW: Texas is coming off a big win, while the Frogs are trying to shake off a pretty painful loss. Does this give the Longhorns any extra measure of hope/confidence heading into Saturday?</p>
<p id="EBOaen"><em>GG: Herman said in his press address Monday that one of his biggest goals for the team and coaching staff is to focus on going 1-0 each and every week, and as cliched as it sounds, I think it’s the truth. As a team that is - another cliche alert- learning how to win, focusing on anything other than the task at hand is a fool’s errand. From an outsider’s perspective, the score against Ohio State is not truly indicative of how tight that game was, but there are hopefully things that Ohio State did against TCU that Texas can try to replicate. </em></p>
<p id="wyu2wj">FOW: Sam Ehlinger has a penchant for the bad turnover, something that hurt the Horns several times last year and again in the opener against Maryland. But, he threw for over 200 yards and no picks in the win over ‘SC last week. Is he good enough to win games consistently in the Big 12, or is he still needing to prove himself week in and week out?</p>
<p id="Bz2MV2"><em>GG: Excluding the fourth quarter against Maryland, Sam Ehlinger is 48-82 (58.5%) for 651 yards, with six touchdowns and no interceptions. At this point I think the fourth quarter against Maryland was the exception, rather than the rule. No excuses, but after a 90-minute rain delay spent thinking about not throwing the game away, it seemed he reverted back to some bad tendencies and forced some passes. In the other three quarters of that game, and in the contests since, he has done an incredible job of reading defenses pre-snap, calling audibles into favorable matchups and going through his progressions rather than one read and run. He’s on his way to proving himself, but there are still a lot of things to prove through the grind of Big 12 play, especially as some of the games will be offensive battles where he’s called upon to win the game, rather than not lose it.</em></p>
<p id="Rci2sD">FOW: Texas has signed a bunch of four and five star running backs over the last few years, but has little to show for it when it comes to the running game. Tre Watson, the self-proclaimed ‘best running back in the country’ has been fine in 2018, averaging just over 4.0 ypc - but has yet to get into the end zone. Is this a recruiting problem, a scheme problem, or an o-line problem? And how do Herman and co get more out of their running game?</p>
<p id="gpzWJy"><em>GG: In the past, it has been a development problem and in 2017 it was definitely an offensive line issue, as that unit was decimated by injuries. I think Watson is an incredible third down back, both blocking and catching out of the backfield, and as much as I love the confidence, he may not be the best running back on the team. Freshman running back Keontay Ingram, who missed the USC game due to an injury, is probably the most talented back on the team and has the potential to be something special if the coaches decide to use him. He’s only had 16 carries this season, but is averaging 6.31 yards per carry and leads all running backs with two rushing touchdowns. Personnel-wise, the Texas running game has been the best when they’re able to rotate Watson and Ingram early, and then bring in the bruiser Daniel Young late to punish tired defenders. </em></p>
<p id="jKbd1s">FOW: <a href="https://twitter.com/PeterBurnsESPN/status/1040281973732851712">It was recently said by Adam Rittenberg that “he talked to a scout that said MAYBE 5 Texas players could crack the starting lineup at TCU”</a>. On the 10/12 Podcast earlier this week, you took umbrage with that assertion. So, which players/positions do you feel Texas has an advantage at? Or which players need to stand out for the Horns to beat the Frogs?</p>
<p id="3ki0ST"><em>GG: The first two players that immediately jump to mind are Collin Johnson and Lil’Jordan Humphrey, because I honestly think those two guys are talented enough to start on most teams in the country. The old adage “You can’t teach size” springs to mind with those two. As far as players that need to stand out against TCU, I think Texas’s front six guys, specifically Charles Omenihu, Gary Johnson and Anthony Wheeler, three players with NFL aspirations. If they can slow down the TCU run game and keep Shawn Robinson from getting too comfortable in the pocket, the defense should look more like it did against USC rather than Maryland.</em></p>
<p id="LWlFzk">FOW: TCU-Texas has been a pretty one-sided affair over the last four years, but this is a much different Longhorns team playing in a much different stadium environment Saturday. Is this the year that Texas casts out their purple demons? Give us your prediction for the game.</p>
<p id="gCKXM7"><em>GG: I can’t get a read on how this one is going to go. I honestly think Vegas is spot on with a three-point margin, especially now that Texas has a kicker it can trust. If I have to make a score prediction, which I am openly terrible at, I’ll say 24-21 Texas. </em></p>
<p id="kYnexC">FOW: BONUS: Chris Del Conte is trying to replicate at Texas what he did at TCU - ie: bringing the “Disney” experience to football games. What are the early returns on the ADs performance/the new game day experience? What are your expectations long term for CDC’s tenure? </p>
<p id="Goplhu"><em>GG: I think the proof is in the pudding. With a record number of fans against USC and a full student section an hour before the game, times are changing. I went to school during the Vince Young and Colt McCoy days, and I could count on my fingers the number of games the student section was full at kickoff. Long-term, I would love to see his plans for the improvements to the athletic facilities come to fruition, and as they do, I believe the level of talent that Texas can bring in will continue to raise and Texas can return to prominence on the field.</em></p>
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https://www.frogsowar.com/2018/9/20/17882450/texas-is-alright-alright-alright-a-q-a-with-burnt-orange-nationMelissa B. Triebwasser