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Q&A: All Things TCU and Minnesota Match-Up with KillerFrogs.com's Wes Phelan
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/549785?referrer_id=388419
The wait is almost over Gophers fans!! Kickoff is less than 48 hours away. In advance of the big game, we caught up with our friends at KillerFrogs.com, who run a fantastic TCU fan community. We’ve enjoyed reading their message boards over the last few weeks and have had some great TCU fans posting on the GopherHole message board as well. Here is a Q&A with KillerFrogs.com’s Wes Phelan who talked about the big game from the TCU perspective.
GH: Looking back at last year, are TCU fans and the program still bitter that you didn't get in the CFP or are you able to enjoy and celebrate the great season you had?
KF: It would be easy to be bitter but I think most fans have moved on and I am sure the team has as well. Coach Patterson is an “eyes forward” kind of guy so I don’t think he lets the team dwell on it.
GH: Is 2015 now a "get into the CFP or bust" type of season?
KF: We have high expectations, of course, but I don’t think our fans would see it as the end of the world if we didn’t make the CFP. Coach Patterson has his eyes on the “prize” and don’t think he see’s 2015 as anything but a great chance to make the playoffs and ultimately win the championship but as he says, “we have to do it one game at a time”. I am confident that we are going to be a Top 25 team for a while so if we don’t do it this year, we’ll have another shot in 2016.
GH: It looks like you lost 6 of your top 7 LBs from last year, how will your defense overcome this?
KF: I would ask the same question but during the teams media days, Coach P said that he is more worried about the CB’s and Safeties than he is the LB’s. One thing that you learn about his teams, especially on defense, is that he just reloads. The younger guys will grow up and play above their abilities. We have the speed in the LB corps, thats for sure. As Coach P said, last years LB’s ran 5.0’s buy played like 4.5’s. This years group can run 4.5’s and now they need to play like it. They’ll be OK.
GH: What other changes will Minnesota see from last years game?
KF: Not much on offense as we have 10 starters back. You know the story on defense. When our new OC’s came aboard, they said it would take two years for this offense to take root and perform at a peak level. If year one was any indication, then year two could be unbelievable.
GH: Is Trevone Boykin a legitimate Heisman candidate?
KF: The numbers don’t lie and he played his way into contention. Remember, a couple of years ago on a Tuesday he was a running back. The next day he was the starting QB against Iowa State. While that game wasn’t the prettiest, he gave us a glimpse of his athleticism and ability but what he needed was a system that gave him a chance to succeed. Now he has it.
When the OC’s were hired, most assumed that Boykin would be moved back to RB or WR. However, when they were asked about that, they were unanimous in stating that if they can get Boykin’s mechanics straightened out and get his confidence up, they could have another RGIII on their hands. It looks like that is falling into place
GH: What is the TCU fan and program perception of the Gophers program?
KF: I think most TCU fans see them as a typical Big 10 team, big and strong. Coach Kill seems to have done a great job up there and we know that the Gophers will want some payback
GH: How big will the TCU fan contingent be in Minnesota?
KF: Oh wow. Its hard to say. I know 4 people that are going. Seriously, we usually travel well and took a decent sized crowd to West Virginia last year so I have to think that we’ll have a good crowd for the Minnesota game but I couldn’t give you a number.
GH: Who wins this game and why?
KF: Would you be surprised if I said TCU will win? Here’s why. We have a fantastic offense, with experience at every position and players who now fully understand what their roles are and what to do. The depth that we have at RB, WR and OL is incredible and there are a lot of interchangeable parts at those positions.
The DL lost one player but returns 3 and they are very, very good, just ask Ole Miss. Yes we have some new LB’s and that could hurt but they are fast and two of them enrolled last January so they have had one spring and now fall drills to acclimate. We are strong at one CB position and have to break in a new guy at the other. However, Coach P takes special pride in and pays extra attention to his defensive backfield so I know they will be well coached and ready.
All in all, its going to be a great game and I expect Minnesota to play hard but this team is on a mission and I don’t think they are going to stop.
GH: What is your score prediction?
KF: TCU wins 42-17.
http://www.gopherhole.com/news_article/show/549785?referrer_id=388419
The wait is almost over Gophers fans!! Kickoff is less than 48 hours away. In advance of the big game, we caught up with our friends at KillerFrogs.com, who run a fantastic TCU fan community. We’ve enjoyed reading their message boards over the last few weeks and have had some great TCU fans posting on the GopherHole message board as well. Here is a Q&A with KillerFrogs.com’s Wes Phelan who talked about the big game from the TCU perspective.
GH: Looking back at last year, are TCU fans and the program still bitter that you didn't get in the CFP or are you able to enjoy and celebrate the great season you had?
KF: It would be easy to be bitter but I think most fans have moved on and I am sure the team has as well. Coach Patterson is an “eyes forward” kind of guy so I don’t think he lets the team dwell on it.
GH: Is 2015 now a "get into the CFP or bust" type of season?
KF: We have high expectations, of course, but I don’t think our fans would see it as the end of the world if we didn’t make the CFP. Coach Patterson has his eyes on the “prize” and don’t think he see’s 2015 as anything but a great chance to make the playoffs and ultimately win the championship but as he says, “we have to do it one game at a time”. I am confident that we are going to be a Top 25 team for a while so if we don’t do it this year, we’ll have another shot in 2016.
GH: It looks like you lost 6 of your top 7 LBs from last year, how will your defense overcome this?
KF: I would ask the same question but during the teams media days, Coach P said that he is more worried about the CB’s and Safeties than he is the LB’s. One thing that you learn about his teams, especially on defense, is that he just reloads. The younger guys will grow up and play above their abilities. We have the speed in the LB corps, thats for sure. As Coach P said, last years LB’s ran 5.0’s buy played like 4.5’s. This years group can run 4.5’s and now they need to play like it. They’ll be OK.
GH: What other changes will Minnesota see from last years game?
KF: Not much on offense as we have 10 starters back. You know the story on defense. When our new OC’s came aboard, they said it would take two years for this offense to take root and perform at a peak level. If year one was any indication, then year two could be unbelievable.
GH: Is Trevone Boykin a legitimate Heisman candidate?
KF: The numbers don’t lie and he played his way into contention. Remember, a couple of years ago on a Tuesday he was a running back. The next day he was the starting QB against Iowa State. While that game wasn’t the prettiest, he gave us a glimpse of his athleticism and ability but what he needed was a system that gave him a chance to succeed. Now he has it.
When the OC’s were hired, most assumed that Boykin would be moved back to RB or WR. However, when they were asked about that, they were unanimous in stating that if they can get Boykin’s mechanics straightened out and get his confidence up, they could have another RGIII on their hands. It looks like that is falling into place
GH: What is the TCU fan and program perception of the Gophers program?
KF: I think most TCU fans see them as a typical Big 10 team, big and strong. Coach Kill seems to have done a great job up there and we know that the Gophers will want some payback
GH: How big will the TCU fan contingent be in Minnesota?
KF: Oh wow. Its hard to say. I know 4 people that are going. Seriously, we usually travel well and took a decent sized crowd to West Virginia last year so I have to think that we’ll have a good crowd for the Minnesota game but I couldn’t give you a number.
GH: Who wins this game and why?
KF: Would you be surprised if I said TCU will win? Here’s why. We have a fantastic offense, with experience at every position and players who now fully understand what their roles are and what to do. The depth that we have at RB, WR and OL is incredible and there are a lot of interchangeable parts at those positions.
The DL lost one player but returns 3 and they are very, very good, just ask Ole Miss. Yes we have some new LB’s and that could hurt but they are fast and two of them enrolled last January so they have had one spring and now fall drills to acclimate. We are strong at one CB position and have to break in a new guy at the other. However, Coach P takes special pride in and pays extra attention to his defensive backfield so I know they will be well coached and ready.
All in all, its going to be a great game and I expect Minnesota to play hard but this team is on a mission and I don’t think they are going to stop.
GH: What is your score prediction?
KF: TCU wins 42-17.
