For the third time this season, TCU dropped a one-score game and once again the Horned Frogs were their own worst enemy against No. 10 BYU. Is it now too late to fix these constant issues?
TCU had arguably its best performance of the season in its latest outing, as the Horned Frogs had No. 10 BYU up against the ropes all night long.
But the Cougars were able to slip out of the trap in Fort Worth and head back to Provo with a 17-10 win.
It was yet another one-score loss for TCU and the most recent display of the self-inflicted wounds that have cost it throughout the season.
After the Horned Frogs were pitching a shutout defensively through the first quarter, TCU quarterback Jaden Craig committed a costly error by throwing his third interception in two games.
BYU safety Faletau Satuala would tack on a lengthy return following the turnover and set the Cougars up with their best chance to break though.
And quarterback Bear Bachmeier made sure they did just that, as he kept the ball and went in for the touchdown himself.
Despite the early blunder, TCU was able to keep the matchup within reach, courtesy of its continued stellar defensive play and a redeeming touchdown pass from Craig before halftime.
Trailing by only three to the top-ten Cougars, the Horned Frogs had a chance to knot things up around midway through the fourth quarter.
Set up with a long yet manageable 46-yard try, backup kicker Nate McCashland missed the would-be tying kick and gave BYU renewed life late in the game.
Just as with the previous miscue, the Cougars capitalized by driving down the field on the ensuing possession and punched in another touchdown that secured the victory.
Even if McCashland makes the field goal, it is quite possible that Bachmeier and BYU find their offensive spark and notch the go-ahead score.
However, the miss seemed to completely rattle the Horned Frogs on defense and take all pressure off of BYU in a momentum-shattering blow for upset-minded TCU.
While the loss is the biggest missed opportunity of the season, it is far from the first time that TCU has cost itself a chance to secure a win.
All three of the Horned Frogs' losses this year have come with glaring issues that have yet to be improved despite surfacing every week.
The biggest problems for TCU undoubtedly lie with the offense, as the unit led by Craig has been wildly inconsistent at times and at others looks blatantly incapable.
In all three defeats, TCU has had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead late and it failed to score points each time.
Add in the fact that Craig is suddenly facing the same turnover woes that plagued Josh Hoover during his time in Fort Worth and it is a recipe for disaster for Sonny Dykes and company.
Although its record is now lopsided toward losses at 2-3, there is a realistic scenario where TCU is unbeaten, albeit not in the most convincing way. And the biggest reason this did not become a reality is its own shortcomings.
TCU heads into its bye week before shipping out to Waco for the latest edition of the rivalry against Baylor on Oct. 17.
