The TCU Horned Frogs don't have to worry about a letdown this weekend after coming off a tough 20-6 victory over Kansas in their Big 12 debut.
That's because the 17th-ranked Frogs (2-0) made too many mistakes last weekend to overlook Virginia (2-1).
"No. 1, we didn't play especially well," said TCU head coach Gary Patterson in the weekly Big 12 teleconference. "For all, like we always do, we haven't worried about the other team in the past. Our whole conversation yesterday in practice as how do we make ourselves better and do the things we need to do. They (the Cavaliers) get one more chance to knock off a top 20 team. For us, we need to get ready to play. It's a chance to be 3-0."
The best way to do that will be to protect the ball, something the Frogs struggled to do against Kansas. TCU had 487 yards of total offense but also had four turnovers, three coming on fumbles from quarterback Casey Pachall.
"No concerns," Patterson said. "It's not been a recurring thing. It happened in one ballgame. It didn't happen in the first game for us (vs. Grambling State). If you talk about them, they keep happening. For me I just told them they need to concentrate, go about their business and act like they usually do."
TCU hasn't played Virginia since 2009 when the Frogs won in Virginia 30-14. The Cavaliers won their first two games but were thumped by Georgia Tech 56-20 in their ACC opener last week.
It could be a long Saturday for the Cavaliers, who have the full attention of TCU. There have been plenty of outside distractions so far for TCU. Two weeks ago the Frogs played their first game in the newly renovated Amon G. Carter Stadium. Last week the focus was on TCU making its debut in its new conference. TCU has managed to avoid those pitfalls despite playing 15 true freshmen, which ties it with LSU and Ohio State for the most in the nation.
This week it's all about a Virginia team as TCU looks to win its 28th home game in 29 attempts in front of a sellout crowd in the 11 a.m. game. "For me it's a double relief because in two weeks it was all the things with the stadium, the Dutch Meyer record (for most wins by a TCU head football coach) and then going back to Kansas," Patterson said. "I'm sitting here with a lot of weight off my shoulders. I think also for our kids. For us, being as young as we are, you always worry about all the things that go along. They're starting to settle in."
