Three “thank you” notes to write

Wow, where to start on another great Friday during football season??

We as Americans love our national holidays, and the Frog Nation now has two additional dates to commemorate and on which to “Fly Your Flag:"

• January 1, 2011
  
• October 6, 2011
  

What a year it has been!

It’s easy to make an argument that yesterday was one of the all-time historic days in TCU Athletics. TCU, your TCU, the prodigal son of college football for the last 17 years, came home. Grab the fatted calf, it’s time for a party. And while you’re lifting a purple margarita, grab your “thank you” notes. We have people to thank.

Note No. 1 needs to go to the Big East Conference — a league that had the foresight and the good will to invite TCU and gave the Frogs validation as a worthy member of an “Automatic Qualifier” conference. Without ever playing a game in the Big East,TCU gained a whole new respect nationwide and, more importantly, started some other league to thinking.

Note No. 2 goes west. Not sure if you address it to the Pac-10 or the Pac-12, but you know where to send it. It’s the league that told the University of Texas to stay back in their Big XII corner. "Take your Longhorn Network and go home." The Pac-12’s rejection of Bevo put the Big XII back on firm footing and made TCU look like a viable option. This is when things turned TCU’s way.

Note No. 3. Lick a stamp (oops, you don’t have to lick stamps anymore, do you?) and send this note to “Dollar Bill” Byrne and the brain trust at Texas A&M. The Aggies are so worried about what UT is doing that it finally drove them crazy. Crazy enough to join the SEC. Their vacated spot in the Big XII turned from maroon to purple. Thanks! And Gig ‘em!

And here’s another thing to anticipate and get goose bumps about: it looks like the Frogs will pick up the Aggies’ Big XII football schedule for 2012. No promises, but how about TCU-UT on Thanksgiving? Pass the cranberry sauce!

In other business, don’t forget that the 3-2 Frogs are on their way today to San Diego to take on an Aztecs team that has more offensive weapons than SMU. This is a big game, and you’ll not want to miss it. Kickoff’s at 9:30 p.m. CT, so make sure to get a nap Saturday afternoon. Some keys to ponder while you refocus from Big XII to SDSU:

• Aztec quarterback Ryan Lindley is one of the best in the nation, rated by many pro scouts as a better pro prospect than Boise State’s Kellen Moore.
  
• Aztec running back Ronnie Hillman has six straight 100-plus-yard games, including a 191 yard, 4 touchdown game against Washington State back on Sept. 17.
  
• Former New Mexico coach Rocky Long is now the head man at SDSU, and he can coach some defense. He runs the 3-3-5. This will be a great chess match between two great defensive coaches.
  
• Pass rush? Frogs have to bring pressure against an SDSU offensive line that has given up just 2 sacks since the Utah game last year.
  
• Special Teams will play a role in this one. SDSU features punter Brian Stahovich, one of the best in the nation --- big leg.
  
• SDSU has never beaten the Frogs, 0-6 all time.
  

Meanwhile, the Volleyball lost for the first time in MWC action last night, falling to San Diego State. The Horned Frogs fall to 16-2 on the season and 3-1 in league play. TCU returns to action Saturday afternoon when it hosts UNLV. First serve is set for 1 p.m. at the University Recreation Center. Get out there and support the Lady Frogs before you watch the football team.

Make it a great weekend and don’t forget to write!

Kick ‘Em High!