TCU got big results from its philosophy change on offense. Now coach Gary Patterson may consider changes on defense, too.
It wont be major just a tweak or two.
Defensively, there are some things were going to really analyze hard, Patterson said. We did it offensively this year, and defensively were going to look very hard at some things we need to to do to help ourselves in the coming season that I think some people are doing that can help us.
Patterson hired two offensive coordinators, Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie, to take the Horned Frogs from a traditional attack to a no-huddle spread attack. They nearly doubled their yardage and point output, and Meacham is nominated for the Broyles assistant coach of the year award.
Defensively, the Horned Frogs lead the Big 12 in takeaways, tackles for loss, third-down defense and fewest first downs. But they are 92nd in the country in passing yards allowed and 45th in total defense. They have given up five plays of 70 yards or more.
Anybody who is good at what they do is looking and saying, Were not real good at this, or, We havent been as good as what we needed to be, Patterson said. So how can we, with the players we have coming back next year, be what we want to be? How do you find the next tweak that can make a difference?
Scouting Iowa StatePatterson is impressed with Iowa State on offense because the Cyclones will run every form of option you can with a back and a quarterback, and they scored 45 points on Texas, which Patterson believes has one of the best defenses in the conference.
Former recruitPatterson remembers Iowa States leading rusher, Aaron Wimberly, committed to the Horned Frogs before switching back.
Patterson no doubt also remembers the reasons TCU recruited him.
Hes very fast, Patterson said. Hes one of those guys that could be a slot receiver. Him and the Jarvis West kid, theyre both returners, so they can make you miss and take it to the house. They get him out of the backfield a lot, so weve got to make sure we pay a lot of attention to him with our linebackers. And some safeties.
Wimberly has rushed for 569 yards and seven touchdowns.
Glad for KillPatterson said the Big Ten coach of the year award for Minnesota coach Jerry Kill, one of his closest friends in coaching, is well deserved.
Minnesotas 8-4 season has benefited the Horned Frogs strength of schedule.
The guys in it for all the right reasons, and his teams play like that, Patterson said. Theyre going to play hard, theyre not going to play to beat themselves, and theyve done a great job of recruiting. Weve got to go up and play them next year. Im not real fired up about that.
TCU defeated Minnesota 30-7 in Fort Worth on Sept. 13. The Horned Frogs open next season at Minnesota on Thursday, Sept. 3.
Source: http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/college/big-12/texas-christian-university/article4294382.html
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