TCU is looking to keep its hopes at winning the Big 12 alive this weekend when the No. 10 Horned Frogs host in-state rival Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have struggled to a 3-4 record (1-3 in Big 12 play), but TCU will be cautious with its offensive calling this weekend. TCU will be changing up its usual hand signals this week, knowing that Texas Tech may have a little insight to how the TCU coaches and players relay plays.
TCU co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Sonny Cumbie is a former Texas Tech quarterback. He joined the TCU staff last December after four seasons as an assistant coach at Texas Tech, so Tech head coach Kliff Kingsbury and his staff and team should be aware of how Cumbie operates. TCU head coach Gary Patterson told reporters Tuesday his staff will do what they can to change things up from the sideline to keep texas Tech guessing.
“Everybody has everybody’s signals,” Patterson said. “We’ll change what we have to change. There will have to be some tweaks.”
As with most Big 12 games, Patterson expects points to be scored this week, but he says the game plan is always to stay grounded on defense. In this conference, that does not always hold true for very long. A couple of weeks ago TCU got caught failing to protect a 21-point lead on the road at Baylor. Patterson said playing with a lead does lead to a change in a play calling mindset.
“It makes a difference in how you call a ballgame. Whether people believe it or not, I’m just about winning,” Patterson explained. “How do I need to call a game where we’re winning? We’re going to try to put a game plan together that is zero points. That hardly ever happens. Our game plan is zero and hopefully we get them to 17 or 21. So, how can you be aggressive but still do the things you need to defensively against a fast-paced offense. That’ll be our challenge again this week.”
Texas Tech enters this week averaging 30.9 points per game, which is seventh best in the Big 12. TCU has averaged 45.2 points per game, only trailing Baylor in that category (49.0 ppg). TCU leads the Big 12 in scoring defense with 20.7 ppg allowed, while Texas Tech is last in the 10-team Big 12 with an average of 36.9 ppg allowed. Patterson may be found playing with the lead once again this week.