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While TCU took a breather with a bye week, the college football landscape continued to shift. Several Power Four programs that had stumbled early found reason for optimism, while others sank deeper into trouble. The weekend served as a reminder that a rough start doesn't have to doom a season.
Oklahoma delivered a stunning blow to No. 1 Texas, South Carolina halted its skid, and Illinois outlasted Michigan State in overtime. Conversely, Washington and Penn State endured further conference setbacks. For TCU, sitting at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in Big 12 action, these outcomes provide some context—but also a nudge that eventually, fans need more than just moral victories.
Oklahoma and South Carolina Prove a Single Win Can Flip the Script
Oklahoma entered the Red River Rivalry desperate to reverse its fortunes. A 27-24 upset of top-ranked Texas, sealed by a last-second field goal, did just that. The Sooners improved to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in SEC play after earlier losses to Michigan and Georgia. Texas, now 4-1 and 1-1 in conference, was left reeling from a squandered lead. The contrast in fan reactions was stark: Oklahoma celebrated a rivalry triumph, while Texas grappled with how it let victory slip away.
South Carolina also found relief. The Gamecocks, previously 2-3 overall and 0-3 in the SEC, traveled to No. 16 Florida and emerged with a 38-19 victory. That win lifted them to 3-3 and 1-3 in league play, ending a three-game losing streak. Neither win erased earlier struggles, but both gave their fan bases something positive to discuss. For TCU, the lesson is clear: one win can change the conversation. The Horned Frogs don't need to fix everything at once, but they must find a way back into the win column.
Penn State, Washington, and Michigan State Remain Stuck in Conference Purgatory
Not every team found relief during the Oct. 9-10 slate. Michigan State, 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the Big Ten, fell 38-37 to Illinois in overtime. The Spartans dropped to 2-4 and 0-3 in league play, while Illinois improved to 3-3 and notched its first Big Ten win. Washington, hosting Iowa on Friday night, hoped to secure its first Big Ten victory but instead fell 41-24. The Huskies now sit at 3-3 overall and 0-3 in conference. Penn State's woes continued with a 31-23 loss to USC, dropping the Nittany Lions to 3-3 and 0-3 in the Big Ten. Three teams entered the weekend seeking a conference breakthrough; all three left with more questions. TCU fans can relate—but at least the Horned Frogs had a Saturday off from the frustration.
TCU's Offense Must Deliver Against Baylor
TCU's next chance comes Saturday, Oct. 17, against Baylor in Waco. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT on FS1. The Bears enter the rivalry at 4-1 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play after their own bye week. Baylor has won four straight since a season-opening loss, including a 55-19 rout of Arizona State that should serve as a warning. TCU, meanwhile, has managed just 10 points against North Carolina, 13 against UCF, and 10 against BYU—33 points total across three losses. The defense kept the BYU game close, but the offense hasn't consistently produced enough to turn opportunities into wins. A win Saturday would lift TCU to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play before hosting West Virginia on Oct. 24. A loss would drop the Frogs to 2-4 and 0-3 in the Big 12, requiring four wins in the final six regular-season games to reach bowl eligibility. That's why this game matters beyond the usual Baylor rivalry.
Oklahoma changed its narrative against Texas; South Carolina did the same against Florida. Now TCU gets its turn. The question is whether the Horned Frogs can give their fans something better to talk about when it's over.
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