Just when it looked like TCU was a monster addition to the Mountain West Conference, the Horned Frogs lost their hops. A week after upsetting Oklahoma 17-10 in Norman, they dropped a 21-10 decision at unheralded SMU.
At 1-1 overall, TCU is at a bit of a crossroads entering Thursday's Mountain West Conference opener at home against Utah.
"I think the biggest thing for us is to get better and I don't think we did that last week," said TCU coach Gary Patterson, whose team was plagued by four turnovers, three missed field goals and just two third-down conversions (in 13 attempts) in losing to the Mustangs.
"This just shows if you don't come to play every week, you will get beat."
Inconsistency, especially on offense, is a concern as the Horned Frogs open MWC play against the Utes (2-0). Two-time defending league champion Utah has won 18 straight games over three seasons.
"We know we have our work cut out for us," Patterson said. "I'm concerned in the situation of not knowing which offense will show up."
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has a pretty good idea.
"They're an athletic football team," Whittingham said. "They are fast. They are just what you would expect out of a TCU team. But right now, they're probably not sure who they are — the team that beat OU or the team that lost to SMU.
"We fully expect to see the team that beat OU."
The Utes know they'll face a TCU defense that ranks No. 1 in the MWC. On the other side of the ball, quarterback Tye Gunn directs a somewhat unpredictable offense. Though capable of successfully mixing the run and pass, the Horned Frogs' offense didn't score a touchdown last week. TCU's scores came on a field goal and a kickoff return.
The loss was just the third in 14 career starts by Gunn, who the Utes expect will bounce back.
"He has a great record that speaks for itself," said Utah safety Eric Weddle. "He makes good reads and he's a poised leader out there."
A lot of TCU's offense, he added, is similar to many of the things Utah does — especially in the passing game, where five-wide sets are utilized.
"They've got players," Weddle said. "It's going to be a great game. I'm excited to go down there and see what we've got. It seems like it's going to be a good match personnel-wise. We match up well with them and it should be a great one."
TCU has a pair of talented tailbacks in Lonta Hobbs and Robert Merrill, who in back-to-back seasons rushed for 1,000 yards as freshmen. Hobbs, however, may not play Thursday because of a groin injury. Cory Rodgers is an athletic receiver who has caught passes in 26 consecutive games. He also had the kickoff return for a touchdown against SMU.
While much has been made of TCU's loss to the Mustangs, Whittingham warns that the primary factor between that game and the Horned Frogs' victory over Oklahoma were the three interceptions and fumble.
"There was not a dramatic difference other than turnovers," Whittingham said. "The bottom line is you've got to take care of the football."
Utah (2-0) at TCU (1-1)
Thursday, 5:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Radio: 700AM
E-mail: dirkx@desnews.com