College Confidential

TCU makes changes to 2011 football schedule

TCU's Sept. 24 home game against Portland State has been moved from 6 p.m. to 1 p.m. and the Horned Frogs Friday, Sept. 30 home game against SMU has been moved to Saturday, Oct. 1 at 2:30 p.m. The SMU-TCU game will be televised on CBS Sports Network, not ESPN, which carried the game last season at SMU.
The changes were prompted by the ongoing construction at Amon G. Carter Stadium. TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte said in a prepared release that "we will still be in the midst of construction, we need to move the games to the daytime to make it easier to manage traffic, parking and movement in and out of the stadium" 

The Frogs will play three night games in 2011, including the season opener at Baylor at 7 p.m. Sept. 2. TCU will also play at 9:30 p.m. (Central) at San Diego State Oct. 8 (following the SMU game) and against BYU at Cowboys Stadium at 7 p.m. Oct. 28. Both the Baylor and BYU games will be televised on ESPN.

-- Stefan Stevenson

For updates on TCU athletics follow @FolllowtheFrogs on Twitter.

 

Random thoughts about initial wave of programming on the Longhorn Network

Some random thoughts about the Longhorn Network’s first wave of programming, announced today by officials at ESPN and the University of Texas:

The description for football coach Mack Brown’s weekly Rewind with Mack Brown program (Mondays during the season), as described in today’s news release, promises viewers the coach’s thoughts on the previous game “with a no-holds-barred attitude that Longhorn fans have come to expect from him.”

Really? I’m fascinated by what constitutes a “no-holds-barred” approach from Mack the Nice, who has a reputation for coddling players and once stepped in to answer a post-game question directed to quarterback Chris Simms after a loss to Oklahoma because he thought the question was too hard-edged.

In fairness, Brown did get feisty in interview sessions last season, calling out unnamed coaches and players for their roles in stunning losses to UCLA and Iowa State. Brown cited entitlement issues and a lack of trust in those sessions, and others, as the 5-7 season unfolded. But he did not name names (meaning he held his tongue, which would not be consistent with a “no-holds-barred attitude”).

This isn’t meant as criticism. Brown is a top-flight coach and a likable guy who succeeds at recruiting, in part, because he promises parents he will not embarrass their sons in a public setting. So to see his coaching show promising a “no-holds-barred attitude” from a coach known for his slick PR skills is … uh, fascinating, to say the least.

The Texas All Access show offers a description saying camera crews will be “embedded with the coaches and players to provide access to the inner workings of Longhorn football.” Maybe so. But expect a lot more internal editing of the final product than what goes into the presentation of HBO’s Hard Knocks when those camera crews visit NFL training camps.

Otherwise, the rest of the shows detailed today sound like basic, must-have, highlight/feature fodder for 24-hour network that will debut on Aug. 26. Below is a look at the description of the upcoming programs on the Longhorn Network, taken directly from today’s news release:

  
•       Longhorn Extra (10 p.m. CT) – A nightly news and information show dedicated to the University of Texas. Every Monday through Friday, viewers will get highlights, updates, analysis, interviews, and behind the scenes looks at all 20 varsity sports teams.
•       Rewind with Mack Brown (Mondays, 7 p.m.) – Exclusively on Longhorn Network, airing Mondays after every game, Coach Mack Brown will breakdown that week’s match-up, highlighting key plays and turning points, with a no-holds-barred attitude that Longhorn fans have come to expect from him.

•       Texas All Access (Wednesdays, 8 p.m.) – Each week, viewers will get a never-before-seen inside look at a Texas team or group.  During Wednesdays in the fall, the show will focus exclusively on the football team with camera crews embedded with the coaches and players to provide access to the inner workings of Longhorn football.

•       Game Plan with Mack Brown (Thursdays, 7 p.m.) – Exclusively on Longhorn Network, every Thursday during the season, Coach Mack Brown will preview the upcoming match-up with an inside look at game preparation and a breakdown of the keys to victory.
•       Texas GameDay (two hours prior to kick every Saturday) – In the mold of ESPN’s Emmy Award-winning College GameDay, Texas GameDay will be live from inside the stadium prior to kick-off for all home football games, and live from its Austin studio for all away games. Through a unique blend of talent, insights, analysis, and fan interaction, the show will build excitement around the game, providing viewers and fans with a full game day experience.
 

_ Jimmy Burch

 

Texas, ESPN officials unveil shows and Aug. 26 launch date for Longhorn Network

ESPN and school officials have announced their initial collection of daily and weekly shows, as well as an Aug. 26 launch date for the Longhorn Network, the University of Texas’ 24-hour channel to showcase Longhorns’ athletics in partnership with ESPN.

Among the staple programs announced today, with broadcast times, include:

• Longhorn Extra (10 p.m.) _ A nightly news and information show focusing on the school’s 20 varsity sports will air Monday through Friday.
• Rewind with Mack Brown (Mondays, 7 p.m.) _ Weekly show with football coach Mack Brown, offering highlights from the past game. It will air during football season.
• Texas All Access (Wednesdays, 8 p.m.) _ Weekly show offering a behind-the-scenes look at a Texas team or group. The show will focus exclusively on the football team during the fall.
• Game Plan with Mack Brown (Thursdays, 7 p.m.) _ Weekly show during football season previewing the upcoming game.
• Texas GameDay (two hours prior to Saturday kickoff) _ A football preview show modeled after ESPN’s College GameDay program. The show will originate from Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for home games and from its Austin studio for away games.

In a statement, Longhorn Network vice-president Dave Brown said the shows “will exhibit the same high quality” evident on ESPN network programs. Brown also issued a statement, saying he is “thrilled” to be part of a ground-breaking project.

“When you’re involved in a first of its kind project like Longhorn Network, you know it’s going to have a dramatic impact on your sport,” Brown said. “It’s a very exciting opportunity for us.”

A complete programming schedule will be released later this summer. Fans interested in more information can visit GetLonghornNetwork.com.

Follow Jimmy Burch on Twitter @Jimmy_Burch.

_ Jimmy Burch

TCU 2011 schedule details released

The Mountain West Conference released game times and television broadcast information for the 2011 season Thursday. A start time for TCU's opener at Baylor Sept. 3 is still to be determined, as is which television network will broadcast the game. The start time for the Week 2 showdown at Air Force is still unsettled, but the MWC says it will be at either 2:30 or 6:30 and shown on the Versus Network. The rest of the Horned Frogs' schedule details are known, which include at least four night games. The Frogs will host SMU at 7 p.m. Sept. 30, which is a Friday. The game was originally scheduled for Oct. 1. The Frogs beat SMU in University Park on a Friday in 2010. The following week TCU plays at San Diego State at 9:30 p.m. Both games will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.
The Frogs potentially caught a break with two day games in consecutive weeks at Wyoming and Boise State Nov. 5 and 12. Those games start at 1 and 2:30 p.m., respectively. TCU concludes the season with a 1:30 p.m. meeting with UNLV Dec. 3 at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

2011 TCU football schedule

Date	Opponent	Time (CST)	TV
Sept. 3	at Baylor	TBD	TBD
Sept. 10	at Air Force	2:30 or 6:30	VS.
Sept. 17	Louisiana-Monroe	1 p.m.	The Mtn.
Sept. 24	Portland State	6 p.m.	None
Sept. 30	SMU	7 p.m.	CBS Sports Network
Oct. 8	at San Diego State	9:30 p.m.	CBS Sports Network
Oct. 15	Bye
Oct. 22	New Mexico	1 p.m.	The Mtn.
Oct. 28	BYU (at Cowboys Stadium)	7 p.m.	ESPN
Nov. 5	at Wyoming	1 p.m.	The Mtn.
Nov. 12	at Boise State	2:30 p.m.	VS.
Nov. 19	Colorado State	2:30 p.m.	CBS Sports Network
Nov. 26	Bye
Dec. 3	UNLV	1:30 p.m.	VS.

 

TCU '11 schedule released, meets Boise Nov. 12

TCU’s complete 2011 football schedule was released Thursday by the Mountain West Conference, for what will be the Frogs’ last season in the league.

Contrary to rumors and prevailing thought, TCU will travel for a showdown at Boise State Nov. 12, not the final week of the regular season. Another curve ball thrown by the MWC: TCU’s request for an open date Sept. 10 was denied. Instead, the Frogs will travel to Air Force for their conference opener. TCU edged the Falcons 20-17 in Colorado in 2009.

TCU will have two bye weeks – Oct. 15 before hosting New Mexico and Nov. 26 before hosting UNLV in the regular-season finale. Every Frogs’ game falls on a Saturday, except their Friday, Oct. 28 game against BYU at Cowboys Stadium.

One of TCU's toughest games is Oct. 8 at San Diego State. The Aztecs (9-4, 5-3 in MWC in 2010) have a bye the week before. TCU will be coming off three home games. Boise State was given a Week 2 bye after it opens against Georgia at the Georgia Dome Sept. 3. It will be the Broncos first season in the MWC after playing for years in the Western Athletic Conference. Boise State plays at UNLV the week before hosting TCU. TCU and Boise State last met in the Fiesta Bowl after the 2009 season. The Broncos won 17-10. Air Force is the lone MWC team with a bye in the final week. Boise finishes at home against New Mexico, San Diego State hosts Fresno State (which joins the MWC in 2012 along with Nevada from the WAC) in a nonconference season finale and TCU hosts UNLV.

-- Stefan Stevenson

 TCU 2011 Schedule

Date	Opponent
Sept. 3	at Baylor
Sept. 10	at Air Force
Sept. 17	Louisiana-Monroe
Sept. 24	Portland State
Oct. 1	SMU
Oct. 8	at San Diego State
Oct. 15	Bye
Oct. 22	New Mexico
Oct. 28	BYU* (at Cowboys Stad.), 7 p.m.
Nov. 5	at Wyoming
Nov. 12	at Boise State
Nov. 19	Colorado State
Nov. 26	Bye
Dec. 3	UNLV

 * -- On ESPN2; Other game times and television coverage will be released at a later date.

2011 TCU schedule taking shape, but ink isn't dry

The 2011 TCU football schedule, which has been a source of rumors and speculation the last month, is close to being finalized.
TCU athletic director Chris Del Conte said contracts still need to be signed but added the Horned Frogs schedule is close to completion. Del Conte declined to discuss potential opponents but sources inside the program have said the Frogs will host Louisiana-Monroe and Portland State at Amon G. Carter Stadium and play BYU at Cowboys Stadium Friday, Oct. 28. ESPN would likely broadcast the BYU game.
TCU was forced to scramble to fill two home games when Texas Tech backed out of a Sept. 10 game in Fort Worth in early January. Two weeks later the Mountain West Conference board of directors voted to move the Frogs' league game with Boise State, which was originally scheduled to be played at Amon G. Carter Stadium, to Boise, Idaho.
“I think you turn it right around and say if you want to win championships you have to win on the road,” TCU coach Gary Patterson said last week. “It’s just another challenge. No matter what, we’ll be a better football team because of it whether we win or lose at Boise. That’s the way we’ll approach it because if I don’t make excuses then my kids won’t make excuses. Our fans shouldn’t make excuses. They should go buy their tickets right now and try to be at the ballgame and support us and go about our business.”

Of course, fans can't yet make plans to attend the game in Boise because the exact date hasn’t been announced. The game has been rumored to be scheduled for the last week of league play, perhaps Saturday, Dec. 3.

The Star-Telegram’s source for the schedule seems to be in step with a source that told Spitbloodtcu.com, a Frogs’ fan site, the same nonconference schools.

Here’s my prediction on TCU’s 2011 schedule. The nonconference dates are from a reliable source, but the MWC dates are my best guesses, including the second bye week.

DISCLAIMER:This is not an official TCU football schedule.

Sept. 3 at Baylor
Sept. 10 bye
Sept. 17 Louisiana-Monroe
Sept. 24 Portland State
Oct. 1 SMU
Oct. 8 Colorado State
Oct. 15 at Air Force
Oct. 22 UNLV
Oct. 28 BYU (at Cowboys Stadium)
Nov. 5 bye
Nov. 12 at San Diego State
Nov. 19 at Wyoming
Nov. 26 New Mexico
Dec. 3 at Boise State

-- Stefan Stevenson
Follow me on Twitter @FollowtheFrogs

Award-winning company on trip home

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN ORLANDO AND BIRMINGHAM - I was a little groggy, but I did recognize the big fella on my flight.
Yep, it was Alabama offensive lineman Andre Smith, last night's winner of the Outland Trophy.

-Trae Thompson

Some final awards notes

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The alarm's going to be buzzing before I know it. Some final notes:

-Iowa running back Shonn Greene was thrilled to get the Doak Walker Award presented to him by Tony Dorsett. "That was one of the great things that happened tonight,'' he said. "He's a great running back. A legend." As for the tattoo of "Cheryl" on his neck? Greene said Cheryl is his grandmother.

-Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was asked about the importance he places on being a role model. "Always athletes say, 'I'm not a role model, I'm not a role model,''' Tebow said. "But whether you like it or not, you are, and unfortunately so many are bad ones." ...Tebow also talked about voting for the Heisman, and said he consulted with coaches and others he trusted. ...

-Texas Tech receiver Michael Crabtree said he enjoyed getting to talk with Missouri's Jeremy Maclin and Dez Bryant of Oklahoma State, each of whom were up for the Biletnikoff Award. Crabtree said he and Maclin talk from time to time, and said he just got Bryant's number. "We didn't say nothing about the award,'' Crabtree said. "We were just talking about the Big 12 and all that."

-Other award winners who were acknowledged: Brian Orakpo, Texas, Lombardi and Nagurski (outstanding lineman and outstanding defensive player); Chase Coffman, Missouri, John Mackey (best tight end); A.Q. Shipley, Penn State, Rimington (outstanding center), Kevin Wilson, Oklahoma, Frank Broyles (top assistant coach).

-Was shocked to be right next to USC's Rey Maualuga. He's not as massive as I thought.

-Very nice tribute to Bobby Bowden.

-For those who didn't see it on TV, here's the list of the nine awards they gave out:

DAVEY O'BRIEN (best quarterback)
Sam Bradford, Oklahoma

MAXWELL (best all-around player)
Tim Tebow, Florida

BEDNARIK (best defensive player)
Rey Maualuga, USC

BILETNIKOFF (best wide receiver)
Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech

LOU GROZA (best kicker)
Graham Gano, Florida State

RAY GUY (best punter)
Matt Fodge, Oklahoma State

OUTLAND TROPHY (best interior lineman)
Andre Smith, Alabama

JIM THORPE (best defensive back)
Malcolm Jenkins, Ohio State

DOAK WALKER (best running back)
Shonn Greene, Iowa

-Trae Thompson

All done here at the Boardwalk

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - OK, I just sent in my story. I'll send along some more from the hotel shortly.
Got a red-eye to catch in the morning.

-Trae

These athletes are truly deserving

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -  In the 13 years I've already been in this business, I've interacted with plenty of college athletes who were ungrateful and didn't appreciate their gifts and opportunities they'd been given.  
But tonight's different.
Sitting here watching players like Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford and Shonn Greene get honored reminds me that good guys can come out on top. I have tremendous respect for players like Tebow, who aren't afraid to go speak to prisoners and share their faith. I respect players like Greene, who truly worked his way back to the top. And I respect Bradford, and how you haven't seen his name on the police blotter.
Do this long enough, and it's easy to get jaded and think, "Oh they're all the same."
But these guys stand apart.
You may be from a rival school, and may not even follow these players, but to see guys who know they're blessed to have chances like these is something to admire and celebrate.

-Trae Thompson