TCU football needs more from QB Josh Hoover if it wants to contend in Big 12 | Opinion
After having a hand in three turnovers in TCU’s 41-28 loss at Kansas State on Saturday, quarterback Josh Hoover gave an impromptu emotional speech to this teammates.
Hoover loudly praised TCU’s defense for giving the Horned Frogs a chance to win and also shouted out an offensive line that was missing a starter. The most important message was Hoover taking ownership of his mistakes that cost TCU against the Wildcats.
With his face flushed red with emotion, Hoover had the same message when speaking to the media.
“I just gotta play better,” Hoover said. “Our team is only going to be as good as I play, and if I’m not going to consistently be a really good player, then we’re going to have a tough time winning games. That’s a part of playing quarterback. I have to show up every week and play really good. That’s my job.”
Hoover’s character and leadership can’t be questioned, but it is fair to ask if he hasn’t made the leap many were anticipating after breaking the program’s single-season record for passing yards.
It’s also fair to wonder is Hoover the same quarterback on the road as he is at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The numbers paint a concerning picture.
Josh Hoover at home vs. on the road
Since his first full start against BYU on Oct. 14, 2023, Hoover has been an elite quarterback in Fort Worth, but average away from the Carter, with the exception of last year’s New Mexico Bowl win.
In Fort Worth, Hoover is 9-3 while completing 69% of his passes with 34 touchdowns and just nine interceptions.
On the road, Hoover’s production and efficiency drop. He has a 5-7 record, completing 63% of his passes with 20 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
That doesn’t include fumbles he had at Arizona State this year and SMU last year, or the backward pass that led to a fumble recovery touchdown for Kansas State on Saturday.
Some may say the home numbers are a bit inflated due to playing FCS opponents Long Island and Abilene Christian, but Hoover also faced Stanford on the road last season and North Carolina on the road in this year’s season opener. Those aren’t FCS opponents, but both teams were arguably the worst Power Four conference team in their respective seasons.
It’s not breaking news that a college quarterback is better at home than on the road, but for the quarterbacks at the top of the sport, it doesn’t matter where they play.
The quarterback is supposed to be the equalizer on the road, a symbol of stability in the face of hostile fans and environments. So far, Hoover hasn’t been able to fulfill that role — but it hasn’t been all on him.
In 2023 he was forced to try to lead comebacks on the road at Texas Tech, Kansas State and Oklahoma due to TCU having one of the worst defenses in the country under former defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie.
In the past two seasons, TCU hasn’t had a consistent run game to support and ease Hoover’s load, with the exception of moving Savion Williams to the wildcat in the latter half of the 2024 season.
This year, Hoover was without his best receiver and leading rusher against Arizona State. Against the Wildcats, the Horned Frogs finally established a run game, but went away from it far too quickly and the game eventually got out of hand. Hoover’s turnovers were problematic, but he was let down by the offensive coaching staff.
Other quarterbacks at the top of the Big 12 like Texas Tech’s Behren Morton or BYU’s Bear Bachmeier have strong defenses and reliable run games to lean on when they’re struggling, and Hoover hasn’t had that luxury in his career.
Josh Hoover says he’s ‘not a quitter’
It’s fair to acknowledge all of those factors, but at the end of the day to whom much is given, much is expected. Hoover is the face of the program and the quarterback.
As constructed, if TCU wants to win at a high level, it needs elite quarterback play, not elite at home and average on the road. If the Horned Frogs want to reach their goals and maximize their potential, then TCU needs more from Hoover, especially on the road.
“This is where you figure out what type of guy you are,” Hoover said. “I’m going to show up on Monday and go back to work. That’s who I am. I’m not a quitter. I’m made for these moments.”
We’re about to find out whether Hoover is an elite quarterback or just a good one.
That could be difference between a berth in the Big 12 title game or another trip to New Mexico.
