Steven Johnson: After another mistake-filled defeat, TCU’s season is at a crossroads

On the way to the national championship game last season, every time TCU needed to make a clutch play the Horned Frogs rose to the occasion.

From Quentin Johnston’s game-winning touchdowns against Kansas and Michigan to Griffin Kell’s bazooka field goal against Baylor and the comebacks against Kansas State and Oklahoma State, TCU was the team that always played its best when the moment demanded it.

After TCU’s 24-21 upset loss to West Virginia on Saturday, it’s clear the biggest difference from 2022 to 2023 is the lack of consistency from quarter to quarter and the inability to rise up during clutch situations.

“That’s twice this year we’ve had opportunities at the end of the game to put a drive together and kick a field goal or score a touchdown,” coach Sonny Dykes said. “That’s two times we weren’t able to do it. That’s not what we’re accustomed to.”

Like most of the TCU fanbase, Dykes developed an expectation that these are the type of moments that the Horned Frogs would thrive in.

It’s these moments that separate pretenders from contenders because every game won’t be a blowout just look at Georgia gutting out a win over Auburn from earlier in the day as an example.

It’s easy to assume that that winning pedigree will translate from one year to the next, but it’s not that simple unless you’re one of the sport’s juggernaut programs like a Georgia or Alabama or have a special team like the Horned Frogs did in 2022.

“What last year’s team did was figure out how to make plays there,” Dykes said. “We drove it down at the end of games and scored touchdowns or kicked field goals and extended games. We just couldn’t get it done (this season).”

It’s not just that TCU is coming up short in these pressure packed situations, it’s also the fact that the Horned Frogs even find themselves in those moments.

Against Colorado, the Horned Frogs had at least 17 points wiped off the board because of two red zone interceptions and a missed field goal.

Against West Virginia, TCU outgained the Mountaineers by nearly 100 yards despite having one yard in the third quarter. The Horned Frogs had two kicks blocked, another field goal missed and were stuffed on fourth-and-inches after driving into the red zone.

It’s hard enough beating a quality opponent like West Virginia, it’s even harder when you’re competing against yourself.

“Frustration is high because the two games we lost we had a shot to win,” offensive tackle Andrew Coker said. “That’s all you can really ask for is a chance to win at the end of the game. We’re 0-for-2 now. I think part of it is how we can stay out of those situations and part of it is us when we’re in those situations is executing at a higher level.”

Coker was one of the leftovers from last year’s elite offense and his leadership will be key for the Horned Frogs. The Big 12 remains wide open with one of Texas or Oklahoma due for a loss next week and many of the other expected contenders have their own issues.

The key for the Horned Frogs is not letting one bad night turn into a bad stretch.

“Last year we had a lot of one score games and we came out on top, this year we’re 0-2,” Coker said. “That’s what this season is really going to come down to. When you’re playing good teams week in and week out it’s going to come down to one score games, who has the ball last and can make a play at an end.

“We have to figure out what we have to do as a team, as a coaching staff, as a program to convert when we get into those situations and how to execute at a high level.”

As frustrating as the loss was, Coker was able to maintain perspective and cited another example of last year to remind everyone that the season isn’t over.

“This is usually a turning point for a team’s seasons,” Coker said. “When you’re a good team like us and you lose a couple tough games, you can start to see locker rooms dividing. I haven’t seen that yet, but it’s all about staying together.

“The best way I can help is to talk about Kansas State last year. They lost a non-conference game, lost two conference games and got a shot in the Big 12 title game. For us we have to realize the Big 12 championship game is not out of reach for us.”

The Horned Frogs said all the right things after another loss as a double digit favorite, but if the team still wants to contend it’s time for TCU to start doing the right things on the field, especially in crunch time.