TCU, perennially, is among the top ranked teams in the country. This year – after losses to Baylor and SMU – it appeared that TCU had taken a step back. Now fast forward to their thrilling win over Boise State, in Boise, and perception has changed.
I asked Five Burning Questions of the TCU Play-by-Play voice, Brian Estridge, to get a better feel of where TCU is and where they are going from here.
1) Considering the games that TCU – looking back – should have won (SMU, Baylor) and now viewing the victory of Boise. Is this season a disappointment?
No I wouldn’t call it a disappointment. Anytime you have a chance to win 11 games I would call that a successful season. Especially considering the number of seniors this team had to replace. This team has improved greatly from the beginning of the year. I would call it a very successful season.
2) What we saw Saturday from Pachall. Did we see his ceiling or can he actually get better?
Not in anyway do I think that is his ceiling. He is just a redshirt sophomore with 9 career starts, I’d say he will get much better. He led this team back against Baylor and SMU but was unable to get them over the hump. The Boise game showed he can make that next step. He’ll keep getting better, he has too much talent no to.
3) Jumping to the Big 12 is huge for TCU. How do you see this affecting TCU’s recruiting efforts and the schools future?
I think the move has and will continue to help the Frogs. TCU has slowly eliminated all of the arguments used against them in recruiting. From the arguments of you’ll never play in a BCA Bowl or the facilities are not as good to now you arent in an AQ league, all of those have been eliminated.
4) Gary Patterson is always a hot commodity in the coaching ranks for any opening. Do you think Coach Patterson would leave TCU under any circumstance?
He is a highly paid, highly respected memebr of the great city of Fort Worth Texas. A hotspot for recruiting, I think he knows he has a “birds nest on the ground” as we like to say in Texas. I dont think he is going anywhere.
5) Do you consider TCU Big 12 contenders from day one?
I think leagues try to add to the top of their league in expansion. TCU’s goal every year is to win its conference, I don’t foresee those expectations changing with the move to the Big 12.
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