There are two polar opposite emotions currently residing in the hearts of TCU football fans:
1) Pure misery and shame, a woeful begging to end the season so that we may start 2014 anew,
and
2) Win at all costs in order to salvage what is left of this horrid season.
The common denominator of this mess is that the season needs to end, but how that will happen is left up to the team and coaching staff. If there is any indication on how that will turn out, then we can look back on the rest of the games and feign optimism for the things to come.
But let's not dwell on the fact that we have a losing record and are in danger of becoming ineligible. Let us not dwell on the fact that we begged our way into a “big boy” conference, only to be the sacrificial lamb for a table of kings. Let us not dwell on the fact that we have only won one game at home against a Big 12 opponent in two years (though the results of this game are still pending, seeing that the entire stadium promptly dismissed itself after halftime against Kansas). Lets not dwell on the fact that we may never get another decent recruit to even consider playing for TCU.
OK, maybe that last one was a bit harsh.
TCU and the entire Forth Worth community have to focus on one thing for the rest of the season: beating Baylor. I admit it is said to say that our season will, in the end, revolve around a game against Baylor. But for this year, just go with it.
Baylor is ranked. TCU is not. What better way to cap the season than to spoil a rival team’s hope for a BCS Bowl bid, or dare I say it, National Championship, on your home turf? How ironic it would be to have a bunch of Baptists in the college football's "Big Dance."
The only thing to come to fruition after a win like that: immense pride.
If TCU pulls out a win against Baylor in the season finale, the season will be remembered for this one game. A potential bowl game bid may be on the line for us, but even if that is not the case, we still need to beat Baylor.
Having a losing season, but keeping Baylor from a BCS Bowl game ought to be seen as success, at least in part. Knowing that we can sink lower than we’ve ever sunk, as far as athletics are concerned, and still beat Baylor tells us something. It says that not matter what, purple reigns. Even in Waco.
Now, do I think this will happen? Lets be real. No, absolutely not. Baylor’s offense is on torrid pace to shatter any and all records. Standing in its way are opposing defenses that don’t stand a chance against there passing attack.
To beat Baylor, you have to be able to put up a lot of points, something this TCU offense has yet to do. Even if we do slow down the Baylor passing attack, they are still going to move the ball. This is a juggernaut offense that has yet to be stopped. If Baylor moves the ball up and down the field, which they have done all year, they will win the field position battle, meaning TCU’s offense will be forced to move the ball into opposing territory, something we have not been able to do all year.
There are a million reasons why the TCU offense is in a state of flux: the offensive coordinators are not calling the right plays, the wide receivers are dropping passes, the running backs are skipping practices, the offensive line is not any good and there is still a debate as to who should be “the guy” at quarterback. The only sure thing about this offense is that we have a tight end listed on the roster, but he will never be seen on the field. Ever.
Before we tarp this mess of a season and start thinking about next year’s team, let’s give it one last shot at redemption.
Give ‘em hell.
