TCU is off another disappointing loss, as the Horned Frogs were stunned by UCF in their Big 12 opener. While TCU was unhappy with the result, Sonny Dykes said the team is ready to rebound against BYU.
TCU dropped its second game of the season in another lackluster showing against UCF that led to a 21-13 defeat to the Knights.
Through four games, the Horned Frogs have now dropped half of their outings and have struggled to be consistent from week to week.
After seeming to turn the page on a loss in the opener to North Carolina, the momentum TCU had built up came grinding to a halt in its first Big 12 contest in Orlando.
Horned Frogs head coach Sonny Dykes did not hold back on the feelings following yet another game that got away from his team early in the year.
During his weekly media availability, Dykes gave his final reflection on the Knights before looking ahead to another massive showdown, as No. 10 BYU comes to Fort Worth.
"We're disappointed. We're hurt," expressed Dykes on the team's mentality after arriving home off the loss.
Despite the understandable disdain, Dykes said that the Horned Frogs are not interested in sitting in their own self-pity ahead of an opportunity to show they are better than last week.
"But we realized that if we sit around and pout about it, that's not going to make it any better," said Dykes.
"We obviously are...trying to figure out why we're not playing as well as we need to play to win games."
While there are some issues that only Dykes and the coaching staff are aware of and can correct, there are a few notable flaws that were on full display in each of the two losses by the Horned Frogs.
First and foremost, TCU needs better production from one of its biggest stars in these make-or-break moments. That is, of course, graduate transfer quarterback Jaden Craig.
In his most recent appearance against UCF, Craig tallied over 300 yards through the air. But the problem came with his inability to reach the end zone and also protect the football.
For the first time since the debut with the Tar Heels in Dublin, Craig posted a zero in the passing touchdown column.
And after only throwing one interception the rest of the year, Craig had two passes taken away by the Knights.
"I think he [Craig] is playing well. I really do," said Dykes. "He's just got to be a little bit more consistent and I think you could say that about pretty much every position on our team."
The areas of improvement from Craig and others may be evident, but executing them is easier said than done, especially with a top 10 Cougar squad heading to town.
"That'll be a big test this week. We're playing against a good group and that's going to be physical and big," expressed Dykes.
As outclassed as they may seem to those on the outside, the Horned Frogs have the chance to prove that they still have plenty left to show against BYU. TCU welcomes to the Cougars to Amon G. Carter Stadium on Oct. 3 at 6 p.m.
