TCU Football: Why the Horned Frogs Will Take a Step Back in 2011

The 2010 season was a dream for head coach Gary Patterson and his Texas Christian football squad: A perfect 13-0 record culminating with a 21-19 victory over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

The only letdown was not getting a spot in the national title game.

The 2011 season will be a different story. TCU fans should prepare for the possibility of not receiving an invitation to the BCS party. 

Why no invitation, you might ask?

The reasons are abundant.

Coach Patterson must find replacements for sensational, four-year starting quarterback Andy Dalton; wideouts Curtis Clay, Jimmy Young and Jeremy Kerley; and offensive linemen Marcus Cannon, Zach Roth, Josh Vernon and Jake Kirkpatrick.

Those are pretty big shoes to fill if you ask me.

The defensive side of the ball faces significant holes as well. Gone will be defensive linemen Wayne Daniels, Cory Grant and Kelly Griffin; all-world linebacker Tank Carder; and defensive backs Greg McCoy, Jason Teague, Tyler Luttrell, Alex Ibiloye and Tejay Johnson.

When looked at from an overall perspective, these are gigantic shoes to fill.

Gary Patterson has built his teams around fantastic defensive play, so to think that he must replace three starters on the defensive line, a seemingly invaluable signal caller in linebacker Tank Carder, and the entire secondary is a nightmare in its ugliest form. 

However, based on past seasons, football fans can't deny the ability of a coach like Mr. Patterson to quickly and effectively develop the talent he has brought on to the TCU campus.

Spring football and fall camp in Forth Worth will be the ultimate test for the Horned Frogs coaching staff.

Receive a BCS invitation and TCU's, as well as Patterson's, reputation will continue to be sterling.

Anything less will cause restlessness among the TCU faithful.

Only time will tell.