Patterson losing his team
Whispers of doubt are echoing in my mind, overwhelming my thoughts into a deafening chamber of uncertainty. The paranoid suspicions have gradually escalated into a dull roar and I can’t ignore my nagging suspicions anymore.
Maybe Gary Patterson doesn’t know what he’s doing with the Horned Frogs anymore.
I hate to admit that, considering all the offensive and defensive accomplishments for the brunt of the last sixteen years. But this season’s Horned Frogs team is wretched — another member of a Big 12 conference intent on imploding upon itself.
Let’ look at the evidence, shall we?
The defense — which is usually a steadfast fixture of Patterson's schemes — hasn’t been the same since 2014. This years unit was supposed to be the most hyped and experienced since the Horned Frogs went undefeated and won the Rose Bowl in 2010-11. Instead, this year’s D is forfeiting 30 points per game, which continues to be the most in the Patterson era. Additionally, going from a stud quarterback in Trevone Boykin – albeit a play-caller with personality issues after his domestic assault arrest in SA earlier this year — to another high maintenance asset in Kenny “Trill” Hill, has proven volatile for the offense, especially with his interception problems.
TCU look like a mess, and with the current personnel and health issues, Patterson’s veteran guidance can only take them so far.
I think Gary Patterson lost his defensive mojo #frogs pic.twitter.com/4KcgSVR1Xi
— Markus Bahena (@RealMarkusB) October 22, 2016
Expectations vs. reality – a mental battle of contrasts
TCU was projected in the top-15 in nearly every preseason poll. Coming out of the gate, there were several red flags raised in the South Dakota State opener, in which the Horned Frogs nearly croaked against a cupcake program with the ugliest logo in the history of college football.
They must have heard the disgust of fan’s looking at that hideous thing, because they’ve recently rebranded. The logo is still an eye sore:
Have you seen the new @GoJacksFB Unis? 🔥🔥🔥#BlackJacks pic.twitter.com/8a4PZHgAVi (via @GoJacksFB)
— NCAA FCS Football (@NCAA_FCS) October 21, 2016
With the amount of hype propelling the Horned Frogs forward, what is the motivation now to get them through the rest of the year? This is the first time Patterson has dropped three games since 2013, when the team floundered to a 4-8 record.
A Texas Bowl appearance could happen, but did the roster have the mentality of championship or bust starting the 2016 campaign? How does former Aggies quarterback Hill feel watching his previous alma mater excel without him?
A mental toughness issue will be the largest obstacle for TCU heading into the latter stretches of the season, especially since they psychologically wilted against the Mountaineers from the opening kick-off.
Kenny Trill struggles with unhealthy offense
It’s not just Hill’s fault; he ranks in the top five for the FBS in total yards, but struggles with consistency, lobbing over nine interceptions, particularly during crucial stretches. However, he’s looked less than stellar against quality opponents, and only managed 148 passing yards against a restrictive West Virginia unit today. The highest receiving total was a mere 35 yards by Taj Williams, who was lead off the field temporarily for a nasty looking injury, but rejoined the fray later in regulation. Six offensive starters are currently out with various injuries.
The Mountaineers’ defense completely outworked the usually productive TCU offense, limiting the Horned Frogs beneath thirty point of their average and holding them scoreless in the second half. The offensive line was pressured, allowing two sacks.
Here's the video of TCU RB Kyle Hicks getting taken down by a ref. Pretty funny. https://t.co/DYjbWOxSfx
— Max Olson (@max_olson) October 22, 2016
Special teams squished the Frogs with a clumsy cleat
I’m not one to call out players for their spectacular failures on the field, but receiver Deante Gray needs to park his tush on the bench and sulk over his poor performance for the next couple weeks. The receiver was responsible for two turnovers during first half punt-returns, butter fingers that trembled and wobbled the ball into the smothering defenses hands. The first was during the opening return, giving West Virginia possession at the TCU 17, and a quick drive to a 10-yard touchdown pass. Gray pushed the shovel into the artificial turf, and the rest of the team continued digging their early Big 12 grave.
#TAMU right now pic.twitter.com/IdjGfRh9kP
— T.J. McAloon (@tjmcaloon) October 22, 2016
Bye week cry week — rest period does nothing to prep for superior foe
Against teams with winning records, TCU is still winless (0-3). Both sides of the ball looked very disinterested against Kansas, barely edging the Jayhawks 24-23, and most predicted Patterson would rectify the flaws during the bye week. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case, with the Horned Frogs looking sloppy from the opening kick-off fumble, and discouraged from the first West Virginia touchdown.
If there was any silver-lining to the final result, it’s WVU as a legitimate underdog CFP contender. The Mountaineers are the best team the Horned Frogs faced, and their inexperienced defensive unit of nine-starters have shined against the Air Raid passing attacks of both Tech and TCU, limiting each to their lowest point totals of the season respectively. WVU converted 7-of- 13 third down conversion, and limited TCU to one converted third down attempt on the day.
Realizing that @WestVirginiaU is probably the best team in the @Big12Conference pic.twitter.com/CCIibGFF4o
— Texas HS Football (@texashsfootball) October 22, 2016
