Insights from the game

by **leopold** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:06 pm

Okay. A day has passed, now let's see what everybody thinks. Some good and some questions.

- I was worried about not having Beasley this game was going to handicap us, but now I'm wondering if our receivers may have may have had the chance to get better this game because of his absense. Had a couple of guys, especially DJ, come up big in the game, and this might have been a chance for guys to get some reps and catches they might not normally get. Since we got the win this turned a negative into a positive.

- Kicking game is solid all around. Our kicker isn't fantastic, but is competent, and hasn't hurt us so far. The missed XP probably didn't hurt us at all because TCU went for two and missed (Thank God). Our punter is solid and our return game isn't spectacular but hasn't made the mistakes they made last year. Margus still looms for all teams desperate enough to kick.

- We still aren't getting turnovers. The one we got was HUGE but the only qualm I have with our D is that they have to be more opportunistic.

- I hate it when people question playcalling, but I have to say it: There is a definite trend of us giving up leads and it's not just mental. I know people say that this is a potential weakness of the RnS, but we have a RB that can run AND block, and apparently we might have TWO decent RB's in the group now. Is it crazy to put a second RB in and run a little when we have a lead - shoot, that might blow the opposing D's mind! Am I crazy here - just add a little bit of a wrinkle to the O when you need to burn three or four minutes? Even long completions don't burn clock.

- I would love to know how much of an impact one game (or maybe one season) can have on conference realignment. I have said on this board a number of times our conference realignment options are limited somewhat due to the fact that TCU is basically a bigger, more successful version of SMU, ATHLTICALLY speaking. Same size, location, history, etc. If a conference was going to look at SMU they had to consider TCU first because of these reasons, potentially blocking any options SMU might have. But perception may change a little bit after yesterday - I wish I know what other schools AD's thought after seeing our score, if anything.

by **Dutch** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:09 pm

one game does not make for a BCS invite.

by **redpony** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:21 pm

Leo- good points. We may not get a BCS invite but yesterday certainly didn't hurt our chances. At least it showed that we can play with 'the ranked teams'.

GO PONIES!!!

by **Hoop Fan** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:45 pm

it has to count for something because human nature is 'what have you done for me lately' and everything is magnified at least double right now.

by **PonyPlayer4** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 3:50 pm

I need to go back and watch the game again in a quiet place and when I'm not drunk then I will get back with some thoughts.

by **RE Tycoon** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 4:23 pm

Hoop Fan wrote:it has to count for something because human nature is 'what have you done for me lately' and everything is magnified at least double right now.

Great win no doubt, but the only way one win would have made a blip on the radar of an average AQ AD would have been against a top 10 team like A&M. Right or wrong, most ADs are still skeptical TCU belongs with them, so it would have really helped to win against a ranked establishment team instead of a team like TCU. The only way we get any instant AQ momentum from this season is if we run the table and go 13-1.

If we beat UCF, I might believe that is possible and if we only have one loss going into UH, every ponyfan on the planet needs to be in Houston.

by **peruna81** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:26 pm

24 hours later the taste is still sweet-

-this very well may be what could be calledl a 'down/rebuilding year' for TCU...the loss of Dalton et al has had a bigger impact than they thought. Fine by me, doesn't diminish a bit what was done. That said, there now looms a new 'rival' in SMU for the Frogs, not just the same old 'cross-town whipping boys' of years previous.

-we didn't play our best game..and still won. When was the last time SMU made mistakes against a ranked opponent and came away victorious? Been awhile for sure...

-Depth is still an issue...TCU picked up the pace (like A&M), and our D-line at times looked gassed. As BUS would say, we need more bigguns..

-While the win doesn't put us in the AQ mix, it does let others know there is ANOTHER rising Texas program...if a conference wants to finish out with a team that seems destined for greater things than the 'Armed Forces Bowl', then SMU certainly didn't hurt itself in the timely nature of this win. TCU has earned a place at the table. Beating them (consistently) will get us on the reservation list at the next seating.

by **ponyboy** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:13 pm

My thoughts are we are where we hoped we be at this point in June Jones' tenure. We're not all world, we're no longer afterthoughts on the national stage. Part one of three parts complete.

by **PonyPlayer4** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:32 pm

TCU cheerleaders > SMU cheerleaders

by **RE Tycoon** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:43 pm

PonyPlayer4 wrote:TCU cheerleaders > SMU cheerleaders

Not even close either.

We need a version of what I believe they call the "Showgirls". That squad looked like a farm system for the Cowboy's Cheerleaders. I know we have hotter women than TCU, how do we upgrade our cheerleaders?

by **smupony94** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 8:46 pm

Raplh wants to copy the USC song girls and tells Orsini every time he sees him

by **well travelled pony** » Sun Oct 02, 2011 9:35 pm

ralph is a wise man. Bet HB Pony Dad would second that.

Go Ponies!