Go Frogs!!!

A few short months ago, I could have purchased TCU tickets for fifteen bucks apiece and probably sat on the team bench if I so desired. Since that time, however, TCU had strung together nine straight wins, and stood with an unblemished #4 ranking in the country. Add in the biggest matchup of the year against a 14^th ranked conference rival, and the ESPN College Gameday hoopla, and the result was absolute bedlam in Fort Worth on Saturday night.

Early in the season I had predicted TCU vs Utah may be one of the biggest games of the year for us on the tour, and Saturday I was proven correct. In fact, the Horned Frogs hosting the Utes shaped up to be the biggest game on the TCU campus since the leather helmet era. With a record crowd of 50,307 eager Frog fans looking on, Amon Carter Stadium was stuffed beyond capacity, shattering their old attendance record by nearly 3,000 fans. Initially, we could only find standing room on the concourse behind the endzone seats. The place was electric.

Coming into the game, TCU knew they had to prove themselves BCS worthy. They needed a signature win against a quality opponent, and had to justify their ranking among the nations elite. Even the slightest falter would give the shifty eggheads of the BCS reason enough to snub them. TCU needed “style points”.

TCU delivered.

After a back and forth first half, TCU blew the score wide open in the second half by punching in three touchdowns within a 2-1/2 minute span. The third of which was enabled off by a brilliant interception and return for a touchdown. Offensively, TCU never looked back from this point, as they went on to drop 55 points on the Utes, who simply had no answer for the balanced attack of the Horned Frogs.

Like any Mountain West team that typically lights up the scoreboard, we knew that TCU had an explosive offense capable of putting points on the board. Equally impressive, however, is how balanced this team is on both sides of the ball. The TCU defense was smothering the entire night, forcing a couple interceptions, blocking a kick, and generally flummoxing the Utah offense. The defense is anchored by man-child defensive end Jerry Hughes, who during one defensive “3 and out” series had all three tackles (including a sack) to force the Utes to punt. It seemed like every other play the crowd was chanting “Hugghhhhessssss”!

The victory was capped off by our first field rush of the year. After the final whistle blew, the frenzied crowd emptied onto the field in celebration of one of the biggest wins in school history. Were we not in the upper deck at the time, we likely would have joined the party at midfield.

In short this TCU team might be one of the most balanced non BCS conference teams that we have ever seen before, and they are going to be a scary matchup for any of the traditional powerhouses in a BCS Bowl. That “other” team in Texas better start looking in their rearview mirror….

A shout out to our friend Chip who came all the way in from Massachusetts for the weekend. And to JJ for agonizingly monitoring the Irish score during the game.

Finally, a huge thank you to our friends Heath and Melissa for hosting a phenomenal tailgate at their house prior to the game. Glad we finally got you guys to a game!