Whether you know him as the Hip Hop Honky or Angry Trey; it’s not hard to see Trey Fallon bleeds purple.
Fallon, a TCU graduate and producer of the ‘Coop and Nate Show’ on ESPN 103.3, has a Blog dedicated to all things DFW, but it doesn’t take long to tell that TCU is the topic he feels most passionate about.
Whether he’s standing up for the Frogs at the ESPN Dallas Newsroom or on Angry Trey’s Blog, Fallon is always representing TCU.
Right now Fallon is in Pasadena for the Frogs matchup with Wisconsin and I took the opportunity to talk to him and see what his thoughts were on the biggest game in arguably the biggest game in the history of the TCU program.
Q: There’s no doubt you are a big, if not the biggest TCU fan in the Metroplex, how long have you been following the program?
I would say TCU first arrived on my radar during the LaDainian Tomlinson era. I was familiar with the school, campus, and everything before that due to growing up in this area, but L.T. is what really made me start to notice them. As I grew older and was looking for a place to go to school, I started following the Frogs closer and closer, and now after graduating from there in 2007, I have arrived at this point.
Q: Your Blog focuses on TCU and the DFW, how long have you been blogging?
I started Angry Trey’s Blog in February of 2009. At the beginning it started out as something fun, but I really enjoyed it and the hits continued to grow with time, so I stuck with it.
Q: How do you feel about the move to the Big East?
I love it. A lot of the skeptics bring up the travel issue, but when you factor in Utah and BYU leaving the Mountain West and the addition of Boise State in 2011 and Fresno State and Nevada in 2012, the travel isn’t any worse from a TCU stand point. Plus, when you factor in the BCS AQ standing of the Big East, more money, added exposure, and better bowl tie-ins, I think it’s a great move for TCU.
Q: Given the amount of success Gary Patterson has had at TCU, it seems like it could be only a matter of time before his name starts getting mentioned when jobs open up around the country. How realistic is it to expect Patterson to finish his career at TCU and what kind of job do you think could lure him out of Fort Worth?
I think there is a very good possibility he could end his career at TCU, but I am not sure how realistic that is. When you look at the things TCU has to offer with the move to the Big East, state of the art indoor practice facility, stadium renovations, new weight and locker-rooms on the way, there is a commitment to football within the University. Plus, his wallet isn’t hurting either. I think at this point, one of the big state schools like OU, Texas, Florida, Alabama, etc…would be the only ones able to lure him away.
Oklahoma has always been a school that has worried me. I think when/if Stoops ever leaves Norman, Patterson would be near the top of their list of candidates to replace him.
Q: TCU was a slip-up away from being in the National Championship. Although there’s nothing more TCU could’ve done, could this season be considered somewhat disappointing?
This is a tough question to answer. It’s hard to call a Rose Bowl matchup against Wisconsin disappointing, but when you don’t even get a chance to play for a title after going undefeated, it’s somewhat of a letdown. As you said though, there was really nothing else TCU could have done. They weren’t jumping Auburn or Oregon without one of them losing.
Q: A lot has been made of Wisconsin’s size, what are your thoughts on the size of the Wisconsin, specifically on the offensive line?
I think Wisconsin’s offensive line is great. They have two first team AP All-Americans anchoring it. The size difference is being greatly exaggerated though. The average weight of the Badgers offensive line is 321 pounds, for the Frogs its 317 pounds. The average weight of the Badgers defensive line is 279 pounds, for the Frogs its 271. If the TCU defensive line is considered undersized, then what does that make Wisconsin’s? TCU’s center Jake Kirkpatrick was the Rimington Trophy winner and tackle Marcus Cannon was First-Team All-Mountain West Conference. I think we will see good offensive line play from both teams.
Q: How important do you think it is for the program for TCU to have a good showing against Wisconsin?
Greatly important. I think you could easily call this the biggest game in the Gary Patterson era, possibly ever for TCU. The Frogs might be favored in Vegas, but the public perception is that TCU is the underdog and doesn’t deserve to be playing the Rose Bowl.
Q: Schools from BCS conferences like Ohio State and Oklahoma have drawn a lot of national criticism for not doing well in BCS games. Do you think TCU skeptics and other media members will throw the Frogs in that category if they don’t have a good showing in the Rose Bowl?
Yes, this is one of the things I am most concerned about. I don’t want TCU to become known as one of those teams who makes it to BCS games and always loses.
Q: What are your plans for the Rose Bowl and how excited are you about visiting one of the college football’s most historical venues?
We are heading out on the 30th. I can’t wait. I’ve been so hyped about this game since Boise State lost to Nevada. I never imagined ever going to the Rose Bowl, much less seeing TCU play in it. It is hard to describe the feeling. I can’t wait to get inside and just look around and take everything in.
Q: What’s your score prediction for the game?
Frogs win 27-21 in a hard fought game.
