FORT WORTH, Texas — In a notable turnaround, TCU is returning to the basics after just two years since their national championship appearance.
The Horned Frogs are far from their undefeated 2022 regular season, where they achieved a remarkable record under head coach Sonny Dykes, leading them to their first College Football Playoff.
With a restructured Big 12 and a new 12-team playoff format halfway through this season, TCU (3-3, 1-2 Big 12) has experienced difficulties with turnovers, inconsistent gameplay, and a few disappointing defeats.
“Every year presents its own set of challenges, and typically those challenges aren’t resolved overnight,” Dykes stated.
“We have a clear understanding of the key areas we need to focus on to improve. The next step for us is to play to our full potential consistently, which we have only achieved during parts of games this season. We haven’t managed to perform that well for a complete game, not at all.”
The Frogs experienced a tough stretch, getting outscored 22-3 late in the game against UCF, suffering an ejection for Dykes during a loss to SMU where they conceded 66 points, and then losing at home to Houston, a team fresh off two shutout losses. Despite scoring an average of 35 points per game, they are struggling defensively, ranked 15th in the Big 12 by allowing nearly 31 points per game.
Dykes expressed that the recent bye week was geared toward focusing on fundamental aspects of the game, such as securing the ball and improving tackling techniques.
Since finishing with a 12-0 record at the end of the 2022 season, the Frogs hold a 9-12 record. They reached the four-team playoff even after losing in overtime to Kansas State in the Big 12 championship but managed to win against Michigan in the semifinals before succumbing to Georgia with a score of 65-7 in the final. Last season, they ended with a 5-7 overall performance.
Bud Clark, a fifth-year safety with impressive performances including a touchdown during the Michigan game, expressed his surprise at the current struggles facing the team. However, he remains optimistic, believing that the team has been able to build momentum and strengthen their unity during the bye week.
“It’s essential to stick together during tough times as this is when teams can start to fall apart, focusing on individual futures and not enough on the collective,” Clark noted. “This year, our focus is on each other.”
TCU will face Utah (4-2, 1-2), another team in the Big 12 that has encountered its own challenges, including the absence of injured quarterback Cam Rising. Following this matchup, TCU will play three out of their next four games at home in a conference that has expanded to 16 teams this season, even after Texas and Oklahoma’s departures.
Following their recent defeat to Houston, Dykes labeled it as “a particularly tough loss,” pinpointing the most frustrating aspect as the team not leveraging its potential, despite a commendable attitude and work ethic.
Third-year sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover ranks second in the Big 12 with an average of 334.5 passing yards and 16 touchdowns per game. However, he has also thrown six interceptions over the last three games—a drastic change after completing his first 143 attempts of the season without a single interception, marking a notable achievement for any NCAA quarterback at that time.
“The key is to remain smart and avoid trying to accomplish too much on your own. A significant part of that is trusting your teammates and having overall confidence in your team,” Dykes addressed. “When a quarterback feels secure, they can play freely and not feel pressured by each play’s outcome. We must get Josh to a point of confidence.”
Dykes emphasized the importance of confidence and consistency for the Frogs, suggesting the potential for a successful season still lies ahead.
When asked about what that would entail, Clark encapsulated it succinctly: “Winning out.”