TCU Football: Keys to the Game, Week 6

Frogs look to bounce back against Iowa State

After what was a disappointing loss to West Virginia last Saturday, the Frogs have a chance to bounce back against the Iowa State Cyclones.

But for the Frogs to get back into the winning column, it's imperative they execute in this week's keys to the game.

Win the Field Position Battle

Field position was a continuous struggle in the second half against West Virginia. Numerous times, the Frogs were pinned in their own 15-yard line, or even their 10, making it incredibly difficult for the offense to scheme an adequate drive. Furthermore, it didn't help that the offense stalled in the second half, and third quarter, especially, forcing Jordy Sandy to punt from his own end zone.

Sep 30, 2023; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes reacts to a call in the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Amon G. Carter Stadium / © Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Additionally, achieving proper field position would allow the offense to operate in a more standard manner, as opposed to playing with its back against the wall. Too many times, the offense was forced to rush the ball to create some space, but a solidified Mountaineers defense negated the rushing.

Winning the field position battle begins with special teams.

Execute on Special Teams

Execution on special teams does not solely include field goals, but also in the return game. Griffin Kell missed three field goals against West Virginia. Two of those were blocked, including an attempt to tie the game on the Frogs' final drive.

Conversely, in the return game, Jojo Earle muffed two punts. Fortunately for the Frogs, they recovered the football, but it further led to poor field position to start drives. While this is a more offensive perspective, it also means the return defense has to be tighter in allowing opponents to gain significant yardage in the kick and punt return games.

Execution on special teams is now another frustration added to the already extensive list of why TCU has struggled to cap off drives. It was a problem in the early portion of the season that the Frogs had seemed to finally get over, but Saturday's game showed otherwise.

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Play for a Full 60 Minutes

Finally, it is imperative that TCU plays a full 60 minutes. Looking back at this season, the one game that stands out where TCU played a full 60 minutes was against SMU. Perhaps it was the most dominating and convincing performance all season.

Against West Virginia, that was not the case. In what was a tremendous first half, scoring 21 points and leading the Mountaineers, TCU came out flat in the second half and failed to put any points on the board. While we have to give credit to the West Virginia defense, it is unacceptable for a TCU offense like this to stall the way it did.

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