Polling and Trolling
The College Football Playoff is casting, and the Frogs won’t even get a callback as an extra.
BY BUCK D. ELLIOTT
Two teams that played in Waco on Saturday — TCU and Baylor — aren’t thinking about the College Football Playoff, because neither fanbase of devout churchgoers will be able to water-into-“whine” their way toward anything resembling a meaningful postseason. Last week, I picked Baylor to top our Frogs, which they did, but I also asserted that if TCU could manage their proclivity for turnovers, the game would be tight, which it was. The rivals traded blows throughout the evening, with neither team gaining more than a possession lead on the other all night.
Overall, it was a solidly fought game in which both teams showed their colors. Andy Avalos’ purple defense was efficient at times but fell apart against the run, especially late in the game, similar to the UCF and Houston outings. QB Josh Hoover and his talented receivers broke the Baylor secondary when they needed to, but a wide-open drop by Savion Williams might have proved the execution difference needed to separate. TCU receivers dropped several balls that could have extended drives or, in Williams’ case, guaranteed a touchdown.
Just like last week against Tech, the Frogs scored quickly through the air on their final possession, leaving the onus on their defense to win or, in the case of
Saturday, send the game to overtime. And they couldn’t do it. Baylor’s vaunted rushing attack continued bullying the Frogs’ defensive line, racking up 257 yards on the ground on the day.
The Bears hit a walk-off field goal to win 37-34 and snap a five-year losing streak to TCU, delivering Coach Dave Aranda his first-ever victory over the purple people. It’s never fun losing to your rival, but this is only Baylor’s second victory in the Revivalry in the last decade, and the opponents played complementary football without a single turnover. So, as funny as it was watching a newly 5-4 team storm the field after beating another team who was now 5-4, the usual pit of anger just wasn’t there. We’d all just watched an entertaining football game, and both teams are average, which in football is synonymous with mediocre.
Tuesday mattered to many readers in our area because Texas and Texas A&M (who lost their second game of the season Saturday to South Carolina) both had legitimate chances to make the newly expanded playoff. (Our magazine went to press before the announcement.) Also, have you talked to your friends and family about the real possibility of the SMU Mustangs making the playoff? Because as the weeks grind on, it’s looking less and less like a possibility and more and more like a guarantee. The ’Stangs absolutely curb-stomped the ranked Pitt Panthers on Saturday, and the rest of their schedule looks easier than a Highland Park kid’s parent buying their way out of a DUI. There are only three ACC teams left who can make the playoffs: Miami, SMU, and Clemson. Miami is one of only five unbeatens left, and neither the Hurricanes nor the Mustangs have a ranked opponent remaining on the schedule and will likely meet for their conference championship. BYU (SMU’s only loss) is leading the Big 12 and is also unscathed without a marquee opponent remaining. Oregon is top in the AP Poll and leads the pre-rankings thanks to an early victory against Ohio State and a zero in the loss column. Their schedule also looks manageable over the final weeks until they play either Ohio State or Indiana for the Big 10 championship.
So, how does all of this affect that team in Dallas? The Mustangs are sitting 13th in the AP Poll but obviously need to win out to stave off the possibility of Clemson playing for the ACC title and to cement their ranking as high as possible. Win their conference, and the Mustangs are an automatic
patiently waiting, uncaffeinated, to find out who they’ll meet in the championship. Both Iowa State and Kansas State lost last weekend, dropping K-State behind Colorado in the standings and dropping previously unbeaten Iowa State to 17th in the AP poll. Iowa State needs to win out, including their regular-season finale against the Wildcats, for the Big 12 to make a case for two teams to be included in the playoff selection. If Iowa State collects another conference loss and BYU wins the conference, the second-place squad will have two or three losses and a ranking unable to eclipse the second-place ACC team or even the fourth-place SEC or Big 10 squad. What should you have learned from all this rambling? That the Big 12 kind of sucks this year and not a single Texasbased team from that conference is even in the conversation. You should also take away that SMU is still very much on the path to appear in the new affirmative-action playoffs without even winning their conference and that it’s OK to feel uneasy about all of it.
bid, but should they lose their second game of the season, against Miami, they’ll need to be ranked 12th or better to secure a second bid for their conference.
The SEC is going to send three teams: presumably Georgia as the champion, Alabama provided they beat LSU this weekend, and then whoever wins the UT/A&M game if the Aggies don’t lose again before that. Tennessee is high in the rankings as well, but their schedule is the most difficult of all the aforementioned over the next three weeks. The Big 10 will also qualify three teams: Ohio State, Oregon, and Indiana barring an incredible meltdown. Boise State looks to be the fifth automatic qualifier by winning the Mountain West with their only loss coming in Eugene by a field goal against the top-ranked Ducks. Bronco star RB Ashton Jeanty is also a nationally recognized top Heisman contender at this point.
I’d be remiss not to mention the undefeated Army Black Knights, whose only notable game remaining is against Notre Dame. The Irish are independent, so they won’t play a conference title game, and the Knights are ranked 18th on account of hailing from the American Athletic Conference. The winner of that showdown should make the playoff as well.
This leaves only the lovable, local dumpster fire — the Big 12. BYU is
As for the Frogs, they’re just an above-average offense that turns the ball over far too often and a below-average defense that struggles against the run. TCU’s turnover margin is one of the worst in the nation. Only five teams in the country are worse, but those five teams’ combined record is 6-34. It’s somewhat miraculous the Frogs are 5-4 while giving the ball away as often as they do.
Frustratingly, I don’t think this season has been bad enough for concrete changes to be made to the coaching staff, even though I’ve thought at times Kendal Briles would be thrown onto the proverbial blame sword at several points. To start the season, I tempered expectations by saying that bowl eligibility would be the minimum expectation and eight wins a successful season, both of which are still attainable with TCU’s remaining schedule. The Frogs have beaten only one team with a winning record currently this season (Tech). The 3-6 Oklahoma State Cowboys come to Fort Worth on Saturday, and this coaching staff has a chance to meet base expectations by becoming bowl eligible. Despite the loss against Baylor, zero turnovers is a tremendous improvement for the offense and something that’ll need to continue if Briles and Head Coch Sonny Dykes hope to retain their incumbent status in Funkytown and boost their sagging approval ratings among their purple constituency. l
Jordyn Bailey (14) celebrates a one-handed touchdown grab against Baylor with Jack Bech (18) [.] The pair combined for three receiving touchdowns on Saturday in a loss in Waco.
NIGHT&DAY
I’m going on vacation and think you should, too. My husband Spicoli has been out roadie-ing for Lilian Axe, whose drummer is his best friend, Wayne Stokely. After I fly out to meet the tour, Spicoli and I will take a road trip across Texas to bring the gear back home. We’ll probably see a whole lot of nothing, but I have high hopes. While I’m away, here are some things to do here in North Texas.
If you’re intrigued by the paranormal and creatures of the night, Waxahachie is the place to be for Chautauqua Day. The Waxahachie Chautauqua Society, a group that meets socially to create cultural experiences in historic settings, presents the inaugural Paranormal Symposium at Getzendaner Park (400 S Grand St, 469-309-4271) featuring a birds-of-prey show, demonstrations, speakers, and oddity vendors. Speakers include The Lake Worth Monster author Lyle Blackburn,
cryptozoologist Ken Gerhard from the History Channel’s Missing in Alaska, the Klinge Brothers from Ghost Lab on the Discovery Channel, and more. There is no cost to attend.
Go to Dallas. They have cats. While it is no Panther City, it is the location of this year’s Catstravaganza From 10am to 4pm, learn about different breeds, see competitions, and meet pets available for adoption at Dallas Market Center (2100 N Stemmons Frwy, 214-6556100). You can even schedule a 15-minute personal session to meet internet sensation Steven Meserve, founder of Loving Cats Worldwide, an organization that aims to educate people about the overwhelming homeless cat population while “preserving our breeds and protecting our ethical breeders.” Flex tickets that enable you to come on either or both days are $35 per person at LCWWGroup.us.
Starting Sunday, you can tour the Netherlands right here in Fort Worth. Well, you can at least check out some Dutch art. Today thru Sun, Feb 9, Dutch Art in a Global Age will be on view at the Kimbell Art Museum (3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-8451), featuring paintings by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Gerrit Dou, Jacob van Ruisdael, Maria Schalcken, and other celebrated Dutch artists on loan from the renowned Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Tickets are $18 at KimbellArt.org.
Dive into Greek culture, including food, music, and vendors, at the 56th Annual Fort Worth Greek Festival at St. Demetrios Greek Church (2020 NW 21st St, Fort Worth, 817-626-5578) 10am-10pm Fri-Sat and 11am-3pm Sun. See the full menu of Greek goodies like baklava, gyros, spanakopita, and more at FortWorthGreekFestival.com. Admission and parking are free.
Did you know that parts of Grand Prairie are in Tarrant, Dallas, and Ellis counties? GP has its own distinct identity, so when Chef Tiffany Derry went on the talk show Sherri a few weeks ago and announced she was bringing a new major food-and-wine event to “Dallas,” I talked back to the TV: “Oh, are you now?” Hmph. The inaugural Shef Food+Wine Festival will take place on the Grand Lawn of The Epic (2960 Epic Place, Grand Prairie, 972-339-3742). Along with the food and wine, there’ll be whiskey tastings, celebrity chefs, and panel discussions with chefs from across the country at the main event 5pm Sat. Tickets are $175 at ShefFoodandWine.com.
Additional Shef Food+Wine events include the weekend kick-off at 6:30pm Fri with the Tiffany Derry & Friends Restaurant Takeover at Radici Wood Fired Grill (12990 Bee St, Farmers Branch, 214-5507900), featuring a four-course dinner by Derry and Michael Voltaggio. On Sunday, enjoy mimosas and a matinee performance of Chef Carla Hall’s one-woman show at noon. Check the website for ticket pricing on these and other add-on events.
By Jennifer Bovee
Internet sensation Steven Meserve, founder of Loving Cats Worldwide, will talk felines at Catstravaganza in Dallas this weekend.
Lyle Blackburn, author of the new book The Lake Worth Monster, will discuss his work and cryptids in general at Chautauqua Day in Waxahachie on Saturday.
Lyle Blackburn
Chef Tiffany Derry and a host of her celebrity-chef friends will be cheffing, chatting, and tippling at the Shef Food+Wine Fest in Grand Prairie Fri-Sun.
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