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With the addition of Texas Christian University to the conference, Texas and several other Big XII schools will rekindle a once lively rivalry with the TCU Horned Frogs that ended with the dissolution of the Southwest Conference. TCU has experienced a tremendous amount of success recently and Gary Patterson has high expectations for the Frogs in their first season as a member of the Big XII. Horn Sports sat down Alex Apple, our pal over at HornedFrogBlitz.com (Scout/Fox Sports) and asked him a few questions about the TCU program.
HS
- How excited is Texas Christian University and its fans about joining the Big 12 Conference?
HFB
- I don't think that anyone can deny that the TCU fan base is overjoyed to re-up with some old rivals from the Southwest Conference. Simply put, the fan base did not identify with opponents from the Mountain West, but as evidenced by ticket sales (Amon G. Carter sold out the entire season in days), the fan base is energized, fired up, and ready to go.
HS
- TCU typically does not have an annual Spring Game and that was no different this year. What can you tell us about the progress of the offense & defense this spring?
HFB
- TCU has actually had a spring game more times than not, but this year the game was simply not open to the public. The focus of the spring turned to the defense as everyone wondered who would step in at linebacker after the departures of Tank Carder, Tanner Brock, and Deryk Gildon. Patterson found some answers in redshirt sophomore Antonio Graves and Kenny Cain, but he was very unhappy with his secondary. The Horned Frog offense is loaded, but TCU's ability to defend will be the major question mark. Gary Patterson has had the nation's best defense in 2 of the last 3 seasons.
HS
- Gary Patterson is a well-respected football coach who has been known to recruit well. Has the move to the Big XII helped TCU’s recruiting efforts or is it still too early to tell?
HFB
- The move to the Big 12 has definitely helped TCU in recruiting, but Gary Patterson has made a living off of recruiting players that he sees potential in as coaching them up from there. For example, Tank Carder was a 2 star athlete coming off a neck injury when he signed with the Frogs. 4 years later he was the Rose Bowl's defensive MVP. Patterson has yet to pull in the "5 star" that the fan base craves, but their recruiting has definitely been aided by the move to the Big 12 as well as their back to back BCS bowl appearances.
HS
- The Frogs have won 10+ games 4 years in a row, including an 11-2 record last season. Should Big XII fans expect another great season from TCU in 2012?
HFB
- Expect TCU to be much better in November than they are in September. With that being said, the Frogs have the potential to start out 7 or 8-0, but their schedule is backloaded with four tough games. Going to Morgantown will likely be the Frogs toughest game thus far when they start their tough month of November that includes Kansas State, Oklahoma, and the ole Longhorns who the Frog fan base can not wait to get a shot at.
HS
- For fans that have never watched a college football game at Amon Carter stadium in Fort Worth, what can they expect?
HFB
- Amon G. Carter will be brand new this season. The new state of the art stadium speaks to the tremendous progress that Gary Patterson has made during his reign at TCU. The stadium has sold out its season tickets. The students will occupy all of the lower bowl on the east side of the stadium (as modeled after how the students sit in Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium). Expect a very nice facility that is very similar to a pro stadium. For a real treat, hit up Dutch's hamburgers on University Drive before the game for the best burger in Cowtown.
Lastly, don't underestimate how excited TCU fans are to be back playing their natural rivals. A game in Austin vs. the Longhorns sure beats going to Laramie, Wyoming or Boise, Idaho.
We will be keeping a close eye on them now and for many years to come. Follow Alex Apple on twitter - @AlexAppleDFW for all things related to TCU Athletics or visit HornedFrogBlitz.com.
HS
- How excited is Texas Christian University and its fans about joining the Big 12 Conference?
HFB
- I don't think that anyone can deny that the TCU fan base is overjoyed to re-up with some old rivals from the Southwest Conference. Simply put, the fan base did not identify with opponents from the Mountain West, but as evidenced by ticket sales (Amon G. Carter sold out the entire season in days), the fan base is energized, fired up, and ready to go.
HS
- TCU typically does not have an annual Spring Game and that was no different this year. What can you tell us about the progress of the offense & defense this spring?
HFB
- TCU has actually had a spring game more times than not, but this year the game was simply not open to the public. The focus of the spring turned to the defense as everyone wondered who would step in at linebacker after the departures of Tank Carder, Tanner Brock, and Deryk Gildon. Patterson found some answers in redshirt sophomore Antonio Graves and Kenny Cain, but he was very unhappy with his secondary. The Horned Frog offense is loaded, but TCU's ability to defend will be the major question mark. Gary Patterson has had the nation's best defense in 2 of the last 3 seasons.
HS
- Gary Patterson is a well-respected football coach who has been known to recruit well. Has the move to the Big XII helped TCU’s recruiting efforts or is it still too early to tell?
HFB
- The move to the Big 12 has definitely helped TCU in recruiting, but Gary Patterson has made a living off of recruiting players that he sees potential in as coaching them up from there. For example, Tank Carder was a 2 star athlete coming off a neck injury when he signed with the Frogs. 4 years later he was the Rose Bowl's defensive MVP. Patterson has yet to pull in the "5 star" that the fan base craves, but their recruiting has definitely been aided by the move to the Big 12 as well as their back to back BCS bowl appearances.
HS
- The Frogs have won 10+ games 4 years in a row, including an 11-2 record last season. Should Big XII fans expect another great season from TCU in 2012?
HFB
- Expect TCU to be much better in November than they are in September. With that being said, the Frogs have the potential to start out 7 or 8-0, but their schedule is backloaded with four tough games. Going to Morgantown will likely be the Frogs toughest game thus far when they start their tough month of November that includes Kansas State, Oklahoma, and the ole Longhorns who the Frog fan base can not wait to get a shot at.
HS
- For fans that have never watched a college football game at Amon Carter stadium in Fort Worth, what can they expect?
HFB
- Amon G. Carter will be brand new this season. The new state of the art stadium speaks to the tremendous progress that Gary Patterson has made during his reign at TCU. The stadium has sold out its season tickets. The students will occupy all of the lower bowl on the east side of the stadium (as modeled after how the students sit in Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium). Expect a very nice facility that is very similar to a pro stadium. For a real treat, hit up Dutch's hamburgers on University Drive before the game for the best burger in Cowtown.
Lastly, don't underestimate how excited TCU fans are to be back playing their natural rivals. A game in Austin vs. the Longhorns sure beats going to Laramie, Wyoming or Boise, Idaho.
We will be keeping a close eye on them now and for many years to come. Follow Alex Apple on twitter - @AlexAppleDFW for all things related to TCU Athletics or visit HornedFrogBlitz.com.
