Oklahoma coach Brent Venables, left, and TCU coach Sonny Dykes meet after a college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the TCU Horned Frogs. BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

TCU's 2023 ended exactly how it began

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 11/24/23

2023 was a year to forget for TCU.

The Horned Frogs lost to College Football Playoff No. 13 Oklahoma (10-2, 7-2 in Big 12) on Friday, 69-45, a fitting finale to a year that began with a 65-7 loss on Jan. 9, 2023, during the CFP championship game to Georgia.

The Sooners gained 607 yards and led by as many as 29 points in the blowout win. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel accounted for 436 total yards and four touchdowns, and running back Gavin Sawchuk had 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Drake Stoops had 12 receptions for 125 yards; the Horned Frogs also allowed three 50-plus-yard receptions to three other Oklahoma wideouts, Nic Anderson, Jayden Gibson and Brenen Thompson.

TCU (5-7, 3-6 in Big 12) is the second team to finish with a losing record the season after making the College Football Playoff. Michigan State made the playoff in 2015, losing to Alabama in the Cotton Bowl, 38-0, and finished 3-9 the following season.

After losing key 2022 contributors, including quarterback Max Duggan, wide receiver Quentin Johnston and running back Kendre Miller, to the NFL draft, the Horned Frogs were expected to take a step back in head coach Sonny Dykes' second year in Fort Worth.

Still, few likely predicted the team to fail to qualify for a bowl game. TCU was predicted to finish fifth in the conference according to the Big 12 media's preseason poll, even receiving three first-place votes.

Instead, the Horned Frogs won't even play for a bowl game, which could be a silver lining. At least TCU doesn't have to play another game this year.

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