TCU @ Tech

[lynchmob42]

Ho. Lee. Fok!

Let me see if I can concisely express all the thoughts I have with regard to this game.

First, TCU's offense is horrible.
Second, TCU's defense is still good. They did enough to win this game.

Does Tech have a QB controversy? The starter goes down and the backup comes in to move the ball for the game-winning score, when the offense had been completely stagnant in the second half.

Lastly, this game got absolutely whacky in the end! TCU scores a game-tying TD on a punt return, but the returner was called for an invalid signal. They went ahead and scored a TD on the same drive. Then, the Tech RB catches a tipped ball for a go-ahead TD.... But he drops the ball before scoring. Tech gets the ball back, with an unusual rule that rewards the fumbling team. Tech stops TCU, and on the ensuing punt it appears that a Tech player touches the ball and TCU recovers. Instead TCU was called for kick catch interference. On the very next play, it appeared that Tech fumbled, but called down. The next play is snapped, but they went back and reviewed the potential fumble. There wasnt enough video evidence to overturn.. But somehow the play that was run in between was still counted. All-in-all, it was best described as weird.

[archie]

Yes, that was the most ridiculous game I've ever seen! You guys heard me say for years that I hate saying teams are ever "lucky" to win, but we were most definitely lucky as hell last night! Did we deserve to win the game? No, we didn't. Did TCU deserve to win the game? No, they didn't either. Both defenses played great, but the difference is that TCU shut down a QB who has been on campus for 8 weeks and doesn't have full command of the offense yet, Tech shut down a QB who has been on campus for 2.5 years and is a second year starter.

There were definitely some crazy plays in the 4th quarter, but I do think the correct call was made on all but one of them. That's where Tech was extremely lucky, having 4 controversial plays that can go either way all going in our favor is lucky.

-Calling the punt return TD back was the right call. I though in real time that he waved for a fair catch, it showed in slo mo that the returner half-assed his wave. That was an attempt to fool the coverage team, so it was the right move to bring the play back.

-The fumble crossing the goal line was the most unusual play I've ever seen, but the right call was made. TCU DID NOT RECOVER THE BALL, and it didn't roll out of the endzone for a touchback, any argument that they should have been given possession is flat wrong. The ball was fumbled, and the ref picked it up, thereby blowing the play dead. Tech's celebration penalty pushed it back 15 yards. Was it lucky for Tech? Yes! It was the correct call though, the play was blown dead and there was no clear recovery, so possession does not change. My complaint was that the announcers on TV were too busy arguing over what the rule should be and not once did they actually tell us what the rule is, nor did they give us the very minor detail of who actually recovered the ball.

-The muffed punt was a blown call by the ref. If it weren't for the penalty, TCU would've gotten the ball. However, they were wrongly penalized for interfering with the return man (who was legitimately interfered with, but by a teammate). The problem though, at full speed, the ref couldn't tell it was a Tech player and not a TCU player who hit the return man. Penalties cannot be reviewed though. This was a terrible break for TCU!

Lastly, the fumble on the next play. There was no video evidence at all that showed when that ball came out. If it was called a fumble at the time, there would've been no way to give Tech the ball back. So the result of the replay review was correct. However, the replay procedure was wrong. Tech got the snap off for the following play, the referees acknowledged that by counting the play after the review. By definition, that make instant replay impermissible. On the other end, if the refs say they were buzzed prior to the play, then the 1st down play was blown dead by definition, and the first play Tech ran after the review should've been 1st down. Instead, it was 2nd down, and Tech was only given a 3 play set of downs.

Like I said, we were lucky to win! I don't expect much praise from poll voters over this win, it was an ugly game. That being said, I was very encouraged by the defense, and considering the QB being a freshman who got a great learning experience, I think we're in great shape. Also, no there is not a QB controversy. Mayfield just got a sink or swim lesson last night against a very good defense, and despite his struggles he did not sink.