Not Really a Bad Season

Now that the season is over, the expectations have been lowered, the anxiety has diminished, the hopes for fame and glory have been virtually extinguished and the Horned Toads are headed for a lesser bowl than wished for. They played well at some point in every game, but they played badly in almost every game also. Oh, if only the magic that was conjured up for the Waco massacre could have been emulated in every game. That was the game that all TCU diehards (like me) relished the most from this season. Offense and defense played with a fire and intensity that would have devoured any opponent on that day. That it happened to be the Bears, was the 'secret sauce' that intensified the pleasure on the palate. What a game, the offense was spectacular and the defense was equally magnificent. It was truly the highlight of the season.

Not so for the West Virginia, OSU or Kansas State games. Self-destructive efforts of dismal performances that ensured a season mired in the doldrums of defeat. Too many dropped passes, too many penalties at crucial times, too many turnovers, too many injuries, and too many missed field goals.  Periods of brilliance were swamped by mediocre  and sometimes downright futile execution of plays on both sides of the ball. So disappointing to us, but can you imagine the frustration of the players and coaches who know what these kids are capable of. These kids are good, much better than their season records. They are capable of games like Baylor every game of the year. They were barely beaten by Arkansas and Oklahoma and, O' , for just one of those three field goal attempts against Tech. The other games that they should have won, they did.

This team is better than their record indicates for this year. Coaches have to figure out what went wrong in the blow out games and right the course for the coming season. They can do it, they have before. Some of the freshmen from this year will mature into starters and some of the new recruits will earn starting positions on next year's squad. Upper classmen will be better, faster, and smarter than this year. Don't blame Kenny Hill, that kid played his heart out every game and Boykin was a tough act to follow.. For every errant pass he threw, a talented wide receiver dropped one at some critical moment in a game. Think what he might have accomplished if Josh Doctson had been one of his receivers. This was a team effort and both sides contributed to the season's results. The defense improved as the season progressed but the offense remained erratic throughout.  We broke even in the end and we are used to better.  "We" doesn't include you or I, but a talented group of kids that are coached by one of the best coaching staffs in the country. Don't give up, this was a transition year and we survived it with a .500 record and we will probably win a bowl game. Not really a bad season.