Give TCU coach Gary Patterson credit - he's turned into a Lou Holtz type of making some of his opponents sound like the 1985 Chicago Bears.
GP classifies each non-conference team.
Oregon State is what he calls a "stretch game".
Tennessee Tech is a "should win" game, because it's a I-AA opponent.
And then there are what he calls a "50-50" game.
In his eyes, SMU is a "50/50" game.
TCU is No. 4 in the nation; the Ponies are coming off their first bowl appearance since the Death Penalty in the '80s; GP is 7-1 against SMU in his career.
How is this a 50/50 game?
"Because of the talent level," Patterson answered. "As far as money and everything that goes into the program, this year our non-conference schedule has two stretch games, by perception. You play Baylor of the Big 12 and Oregon State of the Pac 10, and then SMU and then Tennessee Tech. ... Tennessee Tech is a game you should win, SMU is a 50/50 and the other two are perceptions. I go off perception, because that's reality."
Here is a perception that is also reality:
TCU is the No. 4 team in the nation and flirting with a BCS Bowl, maybe even a title shot. Tennessee Tech, Baylor and SMU are all "should win" games for the Frogs.
But ... in the world of motivating a 19-year-old who is pretty sure they know everything, creating SMU into something it isn't yet should be expected.
"If we lose Friday night no one will remember the other seven (wins he's had against SMU)," he said. "Not many people around TCU forget the 2005 loss."
- Mac Engel
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