TCU a heavy favorite, but ‘there’s no overlooking’ winless Kansas, Patterson says
A few folks on social media were surprised to see TCU open as 25-point favorites against the Kansas Jayhawks. After all, TCU is off to a 3-4 start and always seems to make games closer than expected in Lawrence.
But, by the end of it Saturday night, those 25 points may not seem like enough. This Kansas team has given up at least 38 points in every game. The Jayhawks’ closest Big 12 loss was a 21-point defeat at West Virginia (38-17) last month.
As far as TCU coach Gary Patterson is concerned, though, there’s no overlooking a winless program such as Kansas.
“You’ve only won three ballgames. There’s no overlooking,” Patterson said on the Big 12 coaches teleconference Monday. “They’re the next ballgame. If you watch Kansas, they played everybody close early so we’ve got to get ready to play.”
TCU has had the edge on KU since joining the Big 12 in 2012. The Frogs are 7-1 in those eight games, although the road games have been close.
KU actually won in 2018, a 27-26 victory in Lawrence. Former TCU running back Darius Anderson had a costly fumble late in that game.
TCU’s other trips to Lawrence resulted in victories of 24-23 in 2016, 34-30 in 2014 and 20-6 in 2012. Again, not the most impressive final scores but this is a new year for both teams.
TCU has shown an ability to play well in road wins against Texas and Baylor, and a home victory over Texas Tech. It’s just a matter of doing it on a consistent basis.
Facing a team such as Kansas, which ranks last in total offense and total defense among Big 12 programs, should help in finding that consistency.
“For us, if the team that showed up at Tech and Baylor show up and we start out and do it, then you have a chance to be successful,” Patterson said. “Right now, we’re just worried about us. We’re not worried about Kansas. We need to take care of TCU.”
