This week, it’s proper form to make a wisecrack regarding the following: John Denver, coal mining, and couch-burning. Sadly, though, the only joke so far this season is how inept the Frogs have been away from Amon G. Carter, so I’ll avoid my fatherly instincts and skip an eye-rolling attempt at humor for now.
The good news, especially for a coaching staff looking for a bounce-back after an ugly loss at Kansas State, is that TCU logged their 60th win of all time against Baylor this weekend during a ludicrous 6-hour contest (thanks to multiple lightning delays during the fourth quarter, which took nearly three hours on its own). The Frogs now own a seven-victory all-time advantage over the Bears in the most consistent series in Texas collegiate football. TCU has bested their former Waco neighbors in 13 of the last 18 meetups and have consistently beaten the Baptists since the two started sparring yearly in 2010.
The first three quarters — which can be considered a completely separate game — went the way of the Frogs lately. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson (#13) seemed out of sync and couldn’t develop a regular connection with any receiver, and Andy Avalos’ defense kept the Baylor rushing attack in neutral.
Josh Hoover (#10), on the other hand, used his pass attempts effectively and seemed confident, thanks to an effective and committed rushing game that seemed so absent in Manhattan last week. The Frogs trailed for fewer than 5 minutes on Saturday, going down early by a touchdown, but once the offense opened up, TCU was able to match Baylor and extend to a 21-point lead by the fourth quarter.
Then lighting struck, literally and repeatedly, causing three separate field-clearing delays that led to an excruciatingly long final period that most spectators — either via TV or in attendance — didn’t witness. The final delay, which occurred with barely 6 minutes of clock time remaining, drove most fans from the stands and reached the limit of television coverage. The game was kicked to the ESPN app but was blacked out locally.
The final ticks proved a game within themselves, with the Bears forcing Hoover’s only turnover of the game, a fumble returned for a touchdown, followed by a 95-yard drive by Robertson through the air, and suddenly the 21-point lead had shrunk to a measly 6. The Bears earned a legitimate chance to win after they recovered an onside kick with 30 seconds remaining. Avalos’ defense saved the day by intercepting Baylor’s embattled quarterback for the third time, saving what would have been a comeback that could have legitimately ended with someone in purple losing their coaching job.
The about-face on play selection from Offensive Coordinator Kendal Briles was refreshing. We witnessed under-center formations with flankers, fullbacks, and other commitments to the running game. Thirty-eight attempts for 196 yards and three scores, mostly through Kevorian Barnes (#2), kept TCU in control despite Baylor’s frenetic barrage toward the end of the game. Hoover also tossed for three touchdowns and connected with Jordan Dwyer (#7) and Eric McAlister (#1) seven times each during his 31 attempts, with zero interceptions. Robertson, in contrast, tossed 52 times, completed fewer than half, and was picked thrice. Add a forced fumble for the TCU defense, and the four takeaways kept the Baylor offense from catching stride with enough time left to win. As I feared and predicted, the Bears’ offense was potent but kept from being consistently so by Avalos’ defense, which continues to be sneakily stout and regularly opportunistic.
The Frogs head to Morgantown this week for their last matchup before their conference bye week. WVU is 2-5 and winless in the conference alongside the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the Big 12 basement. The Mountaineers’ remaining schedule is formidable, with homestands against Iowa State and now 21st-ranked Cincinnati, plus road tilts against BYU (the lone remaining unbeaten in the conference) and Houston, who are currently 6-1 and seem dangerous and scrappy.
WVU’s best win (they have only two) was an overtime victory in the Backyard Brawl against rival Pitt, but their only other was against lowly Robert Morris. The Colonials are 1-6 and tied for last place in the Northeast Conference, so hardly a victory to be lauded. The Mountaineers’ offense has been anemic, averaging barely more than 15 points per conference game while allowing 36. Still, West Virginia has played only one Big 12 game at home so far this season, and their rivalry win over Pitt was in Morgantown.
Both WVU and TCU will be looking to slump-bust on Saturday evening. The Frogs seek their first conference road win, the Mountaineers their first conference win, period. Avalos and the defense will have extra preparation to do this week, as WVU is now sharing snaps between Scotty Fox Jr. (#15), who is now the de facto primary passer (because of a foot injury to Nicco Marchiol), and Khalil Wilkins (#14), who will throw but is the team’s leading rusher. It is reasonable to assume that this Frog defense will be able to take advantage of known tendencies and inexperience in the Mountaineer backfield, but sometimes having to prepare for multiple quarterbacks can add enough chaos factor to drive more points than normal.
Our Frogs are 14.5-point favorites on the road, which is marked bookie disrespect for their opponent, but based on performances this season, Morgantown couches are likely safe on Saturday evening and TCU can roll into their bye week bowl eligible. Next week is time to regain some health on the offensive line and backfield before what is shaping up to be a Big 12 gauntlet of teams all still very much in the hunt for a championship-game appearance.
Don’t be fooled. I’m still highly skeptical of Briles’ ability to stay committed to the rushing attack, but perhaps their success against the Bears will stick in his mind when the going becomes slower. One victory over TCU’s most common rival doesn’t undo the over-passing and time-of-possession transgressions of the past, but I’m still hopeful for his evolution as the season continues.
