In the hours following quite possibly the ugliest 27-point shutout win one might ever see, I sent out text messages to some high school friends of mine who go to the University of Texas. The message was sent out at 11:13 p.m. and read “See you in a week.” At 11:14 p.m., I got replies from two of my friends with the same response: “Prepare 2 die.”
Oh, no you didn’t.
My response? “TCU is not Arkansas State.”
For that instant, I became the passionate, sometimes inebriated fan that once screamed “Hit ’em in the mouth!” on every third down. It was my “I’m as mad as hell, and I’m not going to take this anymore!” moment.
Before the discussion could escalate any further and being the respected public figure that I am, I stepped back and put down my phone. Besides, I don’t want to have to go Brick Tamland and ultimately hurl a trident at one of my friends.
This is what happens when old friends get back together for what figures to be one of the biggest non-conference match-ups of the weekend.
TCU against Texas is not about David conquering Goliath, Rocky beating Apollo by one second in Rocky II or even Hulk Hogan body slamming Andre the Giant. There is no need to conjure up the spirits of Rudy Ruettiger and the 1980 U.S. hockey team, and for everyone’s sake, save your inner Seabiscuit for another game.
Even with Aaron Brown’s status up in the air and Tommy Blake’s situation turning into “As the Tommy Turns,” the Frogs have as good of a shot at winning as any road team that visits Darrell K. Royal Stadium.
After a first half against Baylor that had a few fans canceling their trips to Austin, the defense’s tour de force of the second half had Frogs fans dreaming of a Colt McCoy sandwich – an All-American quarterback between two slices of All-American defensive ends in Chase Ortiz and the returning Blake.
But let’s not be mistaken. With McCoy, Jamaal Charles, Limas Sweed and offensive linemen that could probably eat a couple of Denny’s Grand Slam Breakfasts each and still be hungry, the Longhorn offense is capable of giving defenses swift kicks to the groin at any given moment. After seeing the immediate returns of defensive coordinator Gene Chizik’s departure to Iowa State, in which juggernaut Arkansas State roughed up Bevo’s defense for 272 yards through the air and another 125 yards on the ground, TCU knows they’re getting UT’s best shot on offense to make up for its lackluster defense.
There’s no need to tell Fort Worth’s finest what it does not already know. It’s the opportunity the program and the TCU community have been waiting for.
Whether it’s Brian Bonner nearly taking a punt return to the house, Andy Dalton finding Shae “Big Play” Reagan for 50 yards or the defense flying around the field, creating turnover after turnover, the Frogs don’t let too many opportunities pass them by.
That same kind of carpe diem attitude is what has made the Frogs what they are. The fight this Austin-bound team has shown during the Gary Patterson era is representative of step two in its 12-step journey.
As the eyes of Texas and the nation are upon Austin for this weekend’s game, remember that it might get a little ugly. Just be sure to leave your tridents at home. See you on 6th Street.
