TCU

How can TCU improve its No. 7 spot in the College Football Playoff rankings?

TCU head coach Sonny Dykes could go undefeated and be left out of the College Football Playoffs.
TCU head coach Sonny Dykes could go undefeated and be left out of the College Football Playoffs. Bob Booth Bob Booth

What does TCU need to do to climb from its current seventh position in the College Football rankings to one of the four national semifinal spots?

It won’t be easy, but it can be done. With five weeks remaining in the college football non-bowl season, there are three things that need to happen for the Horned Frogs to be invited to play in the national semifinals: 1. Win the rest of the games on their schedule; 2. Hope some of the teams ranked ahead of them lose; 3. Impress the College Football Playoff committee.

Can it happen? Yes. It will be quite difficult, however.

A look at each of the three things separately:

TCU quarterback Max Duggan (15) throws a short pass in the first half of a NCAA football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Kansas State led TCU 28-17 at the half. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth)
TCU quarterback Max Duggan (15) throws a short pass in the first half of a NCAA football game at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, Texas, Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022. Kansas State led TCU 28-17 at the half. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth) Bob Booth Bob Booth

1. Win rest of their games

That’s the only of the three things in TCU’s control. The Horned Frogs have four regular-season games remaining and potentially the Big 12 championship. They need to win all five to have a shot at the playoffs. One loss and the CFP will ignore the Horned Frogs’ unexpected fabulous season.

Who’s left?

This week, the Horned Frogs will play on the national stage on FOX’s game of the week when they host Texas Tech at 11 a.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Red Raiders are 4-4 this season. The Horned Frogs need a big lopsided win.

Then, the Horned Frogs face two tough road games: Nov. 12 at Texas (5-3 overall, 3-2 in Big 12) and Nov. 19 at Baylor (5-3, 3-2). Both teams have lost only one home game this season. Baylor will be looking for revenge from last season’s TCU upset win.

The Horned Frogs then finish the season at home against Iowa State (3-5, 0-5). The Cyclones may be in last place in the Big 12, but they also have one of the best defenses.

A 12-0 regular-season would earn the Horned Frogs a trip to the Big 12 title game at AT&T Stadium on Dec. 3.

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh paces the sideline during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Alabama in Orlando, Fla. Michigan has decided to stick with Harbaugh. He has finalized a new, five-year deal with a base salary of $4 million per year. He can make as much as $8 million with incentives, according to a person familiar with the contract who spoke to The Associated Press. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh paces the sideline during the second half of the Citrus Bowl NCAA college football game against Alabama in Orlando, Fla. Michigan has decided to stick with Harbaugh. He has finalized a new, five-year deal with a base salary of $4 million per year. He can make as much as $8 million with incentives, according to a person familiar with the contract who spoke to The Associated Press. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) John Raoux AP

No. 2 Hope some teams lose

It’s a guarantee that some of the teams in front of them are going to lose. Why? Because they play each other. But will that be enough to boost TCU? There are not many other challenging games remaining. Here’s who the Top 6 still have on their schedules:

▪ No. 1 Tennessee (8-0) at Georgia (8-0) on Saturday, then vs. Missouri (4-4) on Nov. 12, at South Carolina (5-3) on Nov. 19, at Vanderbilt (3-5) on Nov. 26. If the Vols beat Georgia, they likely run the table and advance to the SEC title game on Dec. 3 against Alabama or Ole Miss.

▪ No. 2 Ohio State (8-0) at Northwestern (1-7) on Saturday, vs. Illinois (3-5) on Nov. 12, at Maryland (6-2) on Nov. 19 and a showdown at home against Michigan (8-0) on Nov. 26. A win over Michigan would likely send the Buckeyes to the Big Ten title game.

▪ No. 3 Georgia (8-0) vs. Tennessee (8-0) on Saturday, then at Mississippi State (5-3) on Nov. 12, at Kentucky (5-3) on Nov. 19, vs. Georgia Tech (3-5) on Nov. 26. The Vols at home on Saturday is huge, the trip to Starkville won’t be easy. A trip to the SEC title game all but guarantees the Bulldogs a spot in the playoffs.

▪ No. 4 Clemson (8-0) at Notre Dame (5-3) on Saturday, then three straight home games: Vs. Louisville (5-3) on Nov. 12, vs. Miami (4-4) on Nov. 19, vs. South Carolina (5-3) on Nov. 26. The Tigers are headed toward an ACC championship game on Dec. 3 when they will likely face North Carolina.

▪ No. 5 Michigan (8-0) at Rutgers (4-4) on Saturday, then back-to-back home games against Nebraska (3-5) on Nov. 12 and Illinois (7-1) on Nov. 19 before the Nov. 26 showdown at Ohio State (8-0). Then comes the Big Ten championship on Dec. 3, likely against Illinois (or possibly Purdue).

▪ No. 6 Alabama (7-1) at LSU on Saturday, at Ole Miss (7-1) on Nov. 12, vs. Austin Peay (5-3) on Nov. 19 and vs. Auburn (3-5) on Nov. 26. If Alabama wins out, they will advance to the SEC title game. A win there would assure them a spot in the college football playoffs.

FILE - Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Saban is concerned about the current state of college football. He recently told The Associated Press “I don’t think what we’re doing right now is a sustainable model.” (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
FILE - Alabama coach Nick Saban watches players warm up for the College Football Playoff championship NCAA football game against Georgia on Jan. 10, 2022, in Indianapolis. Saban is concerned about the current state of college football. He recently told The Associated Press “I don’t think what we’re doing right now is a sustainable model.” (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File) Paul Sancya AP

Impress the committee

Despite its explosive offense, TCU has not done enough to impress the committee. And they said so on Tuesday.

“We’re looking for a balanced team, offense and defense,” said CFP committee chairman Boo Corrigan. “They have gotten behind in a few games, they’ve been able to come back and win those games but when you look at Alabama in the wins against Mississippi State, at Arkansas, at Texas and a three point loss at Tennessee as a committee we decided to go with Alabama,” Corrigan said.

Translation: In their final four games, the Horned Frogs need to continue to put up big offensive numbers. But, they also need to shutdown their opponents.

Corrigan is also the athletic director of N.C. State. The committee’s other 12 members include: Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart, Wyoming athletic director Tom Burman, Colorado athletic director Rick George, Navy athletic director Chad Gladchuk, former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, Michigan athletic director Wade Manuel, former Nebraska player Will Shields, Texas A&M interim athletic director R.C. Slocum, Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor, Virginia Union athletic director Joe Taylor, former Penn State player John Urschel, former journalist Kelly Whiteside.

DA
David Ammenheuser
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Dave Ammenheuser was a Star-Telegram sports editor. He’s worked in newsrooms all across the country, including overseeing the USA TODAY sports department. He’s covered every sport imaginable, from Little League to the World Series to the Olympics.
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