Big-12 Power Rankings: TCU finds its play for the ages
Every year in college football there is a single play that defines a season, be it a game-breaking big play, a key defensive stand, or a special teams difference-maker.
Remember Auburn’s 109-yard missed field goal return versus Alabama?
Or the Kordell Stewart-to-Michael Westbrook Hail Mary with Colorado to beat Michigan?
Or Nebraska’s “Flea Kicker” to stave off upset-minded Missouri?
And what about “Lindsay Scott! Lindsay Scott! Lindsay Scott!” for Georgia?
They were all remarkable plays and unbelievable finishes which made for legendary stories.
Looking back on Saturday, there's certainly a chance TCU found that lightning-in-a-bottle play. The last-minute fourth-down fling from quarterback Trevone Boykin to Josh Doctson, which ultimately found Aaron Green, put No. 3 TCU ahead for good in the twilight of its game at Texas Tech and could be the defining play of the year.
“Thank goodness,” head coach Gary Patterson said about the diving catch. “I don’t know where he came from, but thank goodness.”
Coaches say all the time to “play to the whistle.” In this case, Green did exactly that, circling off his route and drifting toward where the ball was thrown over the middle to Doctson.
“Coach Luper, coach Cumbie and coach Meacham always preach to follow the ball,” Green said after the game. “Whoever has the ball, follow it, because you never know when somebody may fumble or anything like that.”
Of course, the Frogs needed the miracle because their defense, riddled with injuries, couldn’t stop Texas Tech. After the game, coach Patterson said his defense was down nine starters from the beginning of the year, and it showed as the Tech's offense ran roughshod over the Frog's defense.
In the first two games of the season, the Horned Frogs allowed an average of 12 points, 254 yards, and a 19 percent conversion rate on third down. In the wins over SMU and Texas Tech, the Frogs surrendered 45 points per game, 557 yards, and a 40 percent conversion rate on third down.
Patterson was relived after the win. “I’ve got to give this group credit,” he said. “I mean, they just keep finding a way to win because most people would say you weren’t supposed to (win).”
It looks as though TCU's offense will need to carry it to the College Football Playoff. And in the end, it may look back at Green’s Johnny-on-the-spot catch as the season-defining play.
Big 12 Power Rankings
1. TCU (last week: 1)
Lots of notable performances this week. Wideout Josh Doctson’s 18 catches and 267 yards set school high-water marks. Also, TCU’s 750 total yards was the second-best in program history.
2. Baylor (last week: 2)
The pass-happy Bears set a school record with seven touchdown passes in their 70-17 smashing of Rice. But did you know Baylor leads the country in rushing with 380 yards per game? Odd, right?
3. Oklahoma (last week: 3)
Beware Sooners, West Virginia will look for revenge after the 45-33 whipping OU administered last year, in which Oklahoma running back Samaje Perine ran for 242 yards and four touchdowns.
4. Texas Tech (last week: 4)
Sure it was a loss, but the Red Raiders earned some street cred versus TCU. Patrick Mahomes showed guts and DeAndre Washington had a career-high 188 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
5. Oklahoma State (last week: 5)
The Pokes now own Austin, posting their fourth straight win at Texas with Saturday’s 30-27 escape. Oklahoma State has also beaten UT on the road in 2010, 2011, and 2013.
6. West Virginia (last week: 6)
The 45-6 rout of Maryland was an official raise-the-curtain on their contender status. If that doesn’t say it, then the Mountaineers leading the FBS in scoring defense (7.7 points per game) does.
7. Kansas State (last week: 7)
The Wildcats got the week off to prepare for Saturday’s trip to Oklahoma State. Bill Snyder is 18-7 after bye weeks, but the Purple Gang hasn’t won in Stillwater since 1999.
8. Texas (last week: 8)
Forget the special teams faux pas, penalties (16 for 128 yards) and a punchless offense (290 yards) are much bigger reasons for UT’s demise against Oklahoma State.
9. Iowa State (last week: 9)
The tough-luck Cyclones had the week off to prepare for Big 12 play. The upcoming game against Kansas will probably be the only game they're favored to win the rest of the season.
10. Kansas (last week: 10)
The good news: KU takes goes to Iowa State this week, which is quite possibly the best chance at a win this year. The bad news: KU has lost 31 consecutive true road games.