Five Things You Should Know About TCU

After experiencing the definition of the Frogs being “gigged” in Stillwater last October to the tune of 49-29, the Horned Frogs will vie for revenge this week after thumping Baylor two weeks ago in Waco.

1. Stillwater South

It may feel like Stillwater South this weekend with former Cowboy quarterback J.W. Walsh (2012-15) joining co-offensive coordinator Doug Meacham (alum who coached on Gundy’s first staff from 2005-12), defensive coordinator Chad Glasgow (played at OSU from 1991-93, coached as a GA after as well) and running backs coach Curtis Luper (played in Stillwater from 84’ to 87’ before transferring, coached Kendall Hunter and Keith Toston as running backs coach from 2005-08.

A couple of things here: how in the world is it legal for J.W. Walsh AKA the General allowed to drive down I-35 with his playbooks walking into Frog Camp looking for a job?

If Coach Bro can delay Baker from playing in Norman for a year we’ve gotta look into something about this. TCU coach Gary Patterson mentioned that “all of OSU’s signals will be changed because of J-Dub” but competitively this just feels funny.

Also, while offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich is becoming more culturally acceptable, how much does Coach Gundy kick himself for not hiring Meacham internally?

Letting him walk to Houston is one of those “what ifs” for Cowboy fans. The guy almost won the top assistant in the country award in 2014 and he just looks like he doesn’t care at all with those Ray Bans.

He looks like the offensive coordinator version of Matthew McConaughey.

2. Justice Hill could become/is our Kyle Hicks

TCU coach Gary Patterson was quoted this week talking about junior running back Kyle Hicks saying “I think he’s our best player… He lines up in empty, he can be a wide receiver, he motions out, and he understands everything. He’s a great jump cut guy and he’s got natural speed.”

Hicks torched Baylor for five touchdowns (only one behind LT’s record!) on 26 carries for 192 yards (7.4 yards per carry). Hill? He’s done nothing but average 100 yards per game in conference play and revitalize a dead heart of a rushing attack.

Justice Hill (@jhill21_) became the first #OKState freshman to run for 100+ yards in back to back games vs top 25 teams — 135 yards, TD. pic.twitter.com/wYKLlIq9x2

— Nate Feken (@TheGreat_Nate) October 2, 2016

Coach Yurcich raves about Hill’s ability to “make you miss” and how effective that makes him. It’s hard not compare them, Hicks came in at 5’10”, 195 and Hill came in at 5’9” and 170 and if you looked at the B12 rushing totals right now? Justice Hill and Kyle Hicks both have 789 yards (Hicks has one less game but still). They both have four 100-yard games on the season.

When Hicks is ripping off 6.8 yards per carry at times, just take a deep breath and get excited about what we have in No. 27.

3. How the Cowboys Finish

TCU is one of the best four-loss teams out there, three out of four of their losses are by 12 points total. With that being said, “you are what your record says you are” and the Pokes are 8-2, doing the things it takes to win close ball games.

Good teams do things like turn over Bill Snyder-coached teams in the end zone, truck defenders and kneel on Kingsbury’s Raiders to run out the time and ride a future NFL quarterback to pick apart a previously unsolved Mountaineer defense.

"Mama, here comes @chriscarson29, and ain't nothin I can do about it." pic.twitter.com/nb42xYGHJF

— Recovering OSUaholic (@RobertW_OkSt) November 13, 2016

That’s nothing against the Frogs who have dealt with a ton of injuries this season, have a smothering pass rush, a top-15 coach worth every penny of the four million he gets paid, and likely lead the league in playmakers per capita with Hicks, receivers Desmon White and KaVontae Turpin.

But close out Tech and Arkansas at home and this is a ranked matchup not being played at 11 a.m. in November.

4. Mason and Company vs A Gary Patterson Defense

Let’s pan over to Mason and James Washington when they see who’s next on the schedule and remember what they did last year:

Now, TCU has a ferocious pass rush (Josh Carraway with 6.5 sacks and fellow end Mat Boesen are top five in the conference) and some solid ballhawks but every coach to play the Pokes lately reflects on how tall of a task this passing offense is.

Washington is averaging 20.21 yards per catch (!), Percy McCleskey has 720 yards and seven scores and then you’re getting into the best third, fourth and fifth receivers around. TCU’s five defensive backs on the field will get plenty of work this Saturday.

5. All the Foods

If you’re going to the game in Fort Worth this weekend (and aren’t a DFW native), please eat at a few places for me: anything “extra trashy” at Torchy’s Tacos, a burger at Kincaid’s or Dutch’s, and kick back at the Rodeo Goat downtown. I hear Joe T. Garcia’s is incredible for a nice Mexican dinner as well. And if you head over to Dallas, hit up Pecan Lodge. Just make sure and bring a wheelbarrow for someone to roll you back to your car.