TCU players point to the game against Air Force on Oct. 10 as the place when everything started to click.
It was in that game the Horned Frogs had to beat icy cold weather and a stingy Air Force defense to earn a 20-17 win and preserve their undefeated campaign. And it was then the Frogs realized they could win under any circumstance.
Knowing that is especially important as the Horned Frogs travel to Wyoming this weekend where snow is in the forecast. It also helps that the Frogs can see the finish line and the prize waiting for them when they cross it.
“We’ve got to go play these last two games,” TCU quarterback Andy Dalton said. “We can’t get complacent. We still have to go play our game and I think we’ve still got a lot of motivation in front of us that I think we’ll come out and play.
“I think our whole team has kind of seen [the finish line] this whole year, but to get over a big game like [Utah], it’s getting closer.”
Coach Gary Patterson has maintained that he hasn’t had to tell his players about the importance of the next two contests. After the Utah win, he went into the locker room and started talking about Wyoming. The players listened and understood they weren’t finished.
Wyoming has struggled against the top teams in the conference this season, scoring just 10 total points against Utah, BYU and Air Force. But the Cowboys are coming off a big win against San Diego State and need just one victory for bowl eligibility.
And Boise State is nipping at the Horned Frogs' heels just waiting for them to slip and open the door for the Broncos.
“Every week someone gets upset,” Patterson said. “It’s been going on forever. On that day, the best team wins.”
It was in that game the Horned Frogs had to beat icy cold weather and a stingy Air Force defense to earn a 20-17 win and preserve their undefeated campaign. And it was then the Frogs realized they could win under any circumstance.
Knowing that is especially important as the Horned Frogs travel to Wyoming this weekend where snow is in the forecast. It also helps that the Frogs can see the finish line and the prize waiting for them when they cross it.
“We’ve got to go play these last two games,” TCU quarterback Andy Dalton said. “We can’t get complacent. We still have to go play our game and I think we’ve still got a lot of motivation in front of us that I think we’ll come out and play.
“I think our whole team has kind of seen [the finish line] this whole year, but to get over a big game like [Utah], it’s getting closer.”
Coach Gary Patterson has maintained that he hasn’t had to tell his players about the importance of the next two contests. After the Utah win, he went into the locker room and started talking about Wyoming. The players listened and understood they weren’t finished.
Wyoming has struggled against the top teams in the conference this season, scoring just 10 total points against Utah, BYU and Air Force. But the Cowboys are coming off a big win against San Diego State and need just one victory for bowl eligibility.
And Boise State is nipping at the Horned Frogs' heels just waiting for them to slip and open the door for the Broncos.
“Every week someone gets upset,” Patterson said. “It’s been going on forever. On that day, the best team wins.”
Graham Watson | email
College FootballWatson joined ESPN.com in 2008 after four seasons covering the Missouri Tigers and the Big 12 Conference for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. She also covered college football recruiting for the Dallas Morning News.
ABOUT THIS BLOG
College Football Nation
Have a question about college football? Ask our bloggers:
You must be signed in to post a comment