The Frogs find themselves in an undesirable position after dropping three straight games. They must win out in order to become bowl-eligible.
After a great second-half effort from the team last weekend against Texas, head coach Sonny Dykes is ready for the rivalry game against Baylor.
“I am so excited. I’m already fired up about that game. I hope we play four quarters the way we played in the second half this game,” he said.
Similarly to TCU, Baylor finds themselves in an off year, dropping many winnable games, most notably getting upset by Texas State back in September.
Still, this game always seems to mean more, as evident by the last two matchups.
Two seasons ago, Baylor had their sights set on the College Football Playoff, but were upset by 3-5 TCU, led by Chandler Morris in his Horned Frog debut.
Last season, 10-0 TCU went into Waco and played an instant classic that came down to the wire. A last-second field goal by Griffin Kell kept the Frogs undefeated on their way to the National Championship.
The “hypnotoad in a hurry” went viral after a successful play the team called “Bazooka.”
This sequence was beautiful https://t.co/F1SvbnNl5g pic.twitter.com/UN3jY7sBBu
— TCU Carter Boys (@TCUCarterBoys) November 14, 2023
This year, the student governments of both schools solidified the rivalry that has been played over 100 times since 1899, formally naming it the “Bluebonnet Battle.”
To add to the drama of the rivalry, TCU unveiled a new helmet to go with their blood-red accented uniforms the Frogs will be wearing on Saturday.
Good things happen when the Frogs wear those uniforms. The past two years, TCU wore them when upsetting Baylor in 2021 and last season when they upset Oklahoma State.
The key to winning this game for the Frogs is simply to play a full four quarters of football.
In the last two weeks, they have started slow, scoring seven in the first half against Texas Tech and six in the first half against Texas.
While the second half success eludes to great coaching adjustments at halftime, it is up to coordinators Kendal Briles and Joe Gillespie to institute a game plan where the Frogs can come out firing on all cylinders in the first half.
Special teams looked a lot better last week. Kell looked like his 2022 self, hitting both field goal attempts, including one from 56 yards out.
The Frogs will also look to keep getting the ball to Savion Williams, who had a career game logging 11 receptions for 164 yards and a touchdown.
“So thankful for that guy. When the lights are shining the brightest he comes out and makes plays,” said quarterback Josh Hoover.
Backs against the wall, the fight is still there for the Frogs, safety Abe Camara kept it blunt.
“Keep pushing,” he said.
TCU opens up as 12.5-point favorites against the Bears this weekend.
Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday from Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth and streaming on ESPN+.
