West Virginia Football: 3 Takeaways from loss to TCU in Week 6

3. TCU will live and die by the big play

The Horned Frogs entered this game with the No. 3 scoring offense in the Big 12. They were averaging just two tenths of a point less than Oklahoma and West Virginia, tied for first with 48 points per game.

There’s a reason that Hill ranked second in the Big 12 in completion percentage coming into this game. He hasn’t been asked to do all that much, and that decision has paid off marvelously for head coach Gary Patterson. Hill has proven to be a reliable distributor of the football. His efficiency underneath has kept the chains moving. That, complimented with a dangerous rushing attack, keep the TCU offense churning.

It’s with that success that Hill can take a shot or two down field. The Frogs third quarter score that gave them a 10-point lead came on a 45-yard go route to Jalen Reagor. Hill also hit KaVontae Turpin for a 48-yard score later in that same quarter. Dink, dunk, bomb. The Frogs put the Oklahoma State game out of reach with a 42-yard touchdown run by Darius Anderson. That’s the rhythm that works for TCU and that’s what is going to make them successful this season.

However, take away two big plays and the TCU offense wasn’t all that effective on Saturday. The Mountaineers have a decent defense, but it’s nowhere near the caliber of some of the teams they’ll have to face down the line. The big play is part of the Frogs game plan, and until that changes, they’ll be playing with fire.