Six things the Frogs must do to beat Tech

Howdy from the South Plains, where temperatures at game time will be in the mid-80s with low humidity.

As you prepare for tonight’s Big 12 conference opener, keep these things in mind as keys to a Frog win. Call it our Thursday Texas Tech To-Do List: 

• Contain the Texas Tech Offense – Sure they’ll get their completions but keeping Tech from turning a 3 yard completion into an 80 yards score is critical.
• Be Physical in coverage – Last year, Tech’s receivers were very physical and, at times, yanked TCU’s defensive backs out of the way to make a catch.
• Stuff the Run – Kliff Kingsbury’s offense utilizes play action and the run game to keep defenses honest.  Hello, my name is Chucky Hunter!
• Start Fast on Offense – Trevone Boykin’s first start of the year needs to be a fast one.
• Receivers Step Up – A vertical passing game could be an issue for the Red Raiders.
• Cash in on Red-Zone Opportunities – Scoring on the road consistently gives you a chance to win and takes the crowd out of the game – a win-win.

We’re on the air tonight with Inside TCU Football on the TCU Sports Network at 5:30 p.m. CT .  We’ll be on 570AM KLIF at 6 p.m. and on WBAP 820AM/96.7FM at 6:30 p.m.

If you’re traveling, you can hear us on Sirius 93 and XM190.

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Tidbits on the Frogs and Red Raiders

As the Frogs get ready to take on Texas Tech in Lubbock tomorrow night, here’s a few interesting tidbits:

• Texas Tech will be looking to snap a three-game losing skid in home Big 12 openers.
• Tech Defensive Coordinator Matt Wallerstedt is the Red Raiders’ fifth DC in as many years.   
• TCU Safeties Coach Chad Glasgow was the Red Raiders’ Defensive Coordinator in 2011.
• Texas Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury was a member of the Super Bowl Champions New England Patriots in 2003 and has a Super Bowl ring that he supposedly has never worn.
• Texas Tech Safeties Coach Trey Haverty was an assistant coach at TCU in 2011 and 2012.
• The Frogs make their first visit to Lubbock since 2004.
• The Frogs and Red Raiders played to a tie three straight times in Lubbock: 3-3 in 1979 in the snow, 39-39 in 1981 and 10-10 in 1983
• Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells was on the coaching staff at Texas Tech in the early 1970’s.
• The Frogs are looking for their first win in Lubbock since 1991 under head coach Jim Wacker, a 30-16 victory over the Red Raiders, coached by Spike Dykes.
• The 50 Yard Line Steakhouse is a legendary restaurant in Lubbock.   If you go, be sure to get some blueberry muffins!
• The first game I ever played in for TCU was at Texas Tech in 1981 – the wild 39-39 tie.   TCU Linebacker Mike Dry blocked a punt by Tech’s Maury Buford out of the back of the south end zone for a safety that tied the game late in the 4^th quarter.

Tomorrow, a scouting report on the Red Raiders.

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Scouting report on Southeastern Louisiana

Fridays come quickly during football season and that means game day is nigh.

Things I can tell you about the Southeastern Louisiana Lions:

• If you want a lesson in football formations and variations on a theme, then be in Amon G. Carter Stadium tomorrow at 11:07 a.m. USL employs just about every formation known and then some, intertwining motion and misdirection to add to the intrigue.   Wideouts will motion back into the backfield and, at the snap, become the trailing back on an option play. You’ll see two-tight end formations, one-tight end, five wides, one back, split backs, diamond/inverted wishbone. Get the idea? Oh, and they do like to throw it, too.
• Quarterback Bryan Bennett (No. 3) is a transfer from Oregon, who played in 18 games in Eugene before leaving the Duck dynasty for a new lease on life at USL. And he can play.
• Bennett is just one of a handful of FBS transfers, joining linebacker Cqulin Hubert from Texas Tech, runningback Kody Sutton from Wyoming and wide receiver Jarrell Bennett, who used to be an Arizona Wildcat.
• Defensively, the Lions feature a 3-3-5 scheme. No. 5 John Graves, who plays the “LION” position (a linebacker/safety hybrid), knows how to get to the ball. He had 70 tackles last year. No. 23 Tyler Stoddard is an All-Southland Conference free safety.

Parking lots open at 6 a.m., and the Walk of the Frogs, where the team walks by the new horned frog statue and rubs its nose for good luck, takes place at 8:30 a.m. on the east plaza of Amon G. Carter Stadium.

It’s Breakfast at The Carter!  See you there.

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(Photo courtesy The Advocate)

JD's Thursday three-fer

As the wake of the LSU game starts to fade into the backwater, here’s a few things help steady your boat:

1.   LSU is much better than people think. The pollsters are still trying to catch up with that one. Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron has made a tremendous impact on the Tigers’ offense already and the air attack they have to match with a power running game will make them contenders deep into the season. TCU will benefit from this game throughout the season. My dad always said that when things don’t turn out the way you want, you still net a good learning experience. That’s what happened last Saturday. Watch the good eke out of the LSU “experience” throughout this season.

2.   I really like our defensive line. As the front porch of the defense, they are the guard dogs, and I like the way they get after it. The defensive tackles were solid in the LSU game. Sure, you know Davion Pierson and Chucky Hunter, but there are more of them, including No. 98 Jon Lewis. When Big Jon gets mad, I don’t want to be around.

3.   Southeastern Louisiana is a team packed with transfers from FBS schools. More tomorrow on them, but be sure to keep an eye on quarterback Bryan Bennett. He wears No. 3. The transfer from Oregon played 18 games for the Ducks before landing at USL last January. He rushed for 106 yards and 3 TDs in the Lions’ win last week.

Kick ‘Em High!