Walking out of Amon. G Carter following the 44-11 TCU victory over BYU, I was left with a question, "Where has this team been all year?" Let me preface this by saying I am not trying to discredit Chandler Morris and the effort he brought to this team every week. This week, though, Josh Hoover will get his flowers and the praise he deserves. While it was a great overall game, there were still some negative parts that I took away. Continue reading below as I break down the positives and negatives.
The Negatives
Where was this to start the year?
I understood there would be growing pains to start this season. After all, the Horned Frogs were starting the season with essentially every key position replaced. The issue now is that the team that showed against BYU is what we expected all season. This was the first complete game the Horned Frogs have played since Michigan last season. The TCU faithful is now left wondering, "Why did it take until Week 7 for it to all come together?" The truth is, I have no idea. I can tell you that the rest of the season doesn't look as dreadful with the gauntlet of a schedule coming up for the Carter Boys, and this looks like a reinvigorated team.
The Positives
Josh Hoover
I don't want to overreact, but Hoover might win the Heisman this year. In all seriousness, that was one of the best quarterback performances I have seen in a while. Hoover was making throws in tight windows, his field vision was outstanding, and the poise for a freshman quarterback was unparalleled. There are two things I believe TCU fans should take away from his performance: how well the offense works with his arm strength that allows him to get the ball to the receivers quicker in out routes and slant routes, and how much the team rallied around him. The picture below shows energy and love for the game that has been missing on the sidelines since early in the SMU victory.
The Defense
Joe Gillespie, that was a masterclass performance and the best defensively coached game you have put together since starting at TCU. The different five-man front looks and blitz packages were a tremendous coaching job. With that said, the players not only executed to near perfection, but the defense as a whole seemed to be flying around the field with a new level of intensity. The last thing I want to say about the defense, to put into perspective how great they have been this season, is if you exclude the Colorado game, the Horned Frogs' defense is only giving up 13.6 points per game.
The offensive line
The offensive line as a cohesive unit has had ups and downs this season. Still, Saturday's performance helped Hoover settle into the game and focus on finding the open receiver rather than navigating the pocket. There were multiple plays throughout the game where the protection allowed Hoover to step up into his throws and plant his feet. If the O-line can keep this play up, this offense can terrify any opponent.
While it's easy to wonder "what could have been" with how well the team played yesterday, it isn't worth it. This season is all about enjoying the ride. There is still a shot the Frogs can play in the Big 12 Championship, but right now, we are watching this team play with rejuvenated energy, and fans should feel fresh now, too.
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