Expectations aren't dinged even if TCU's players are

No. 3 TCU has experienced an unusually high number of injuries through two weeks, but nobody's going to throw the Horned Frogs a pity parade, especially the College Football Playoff committee.

TCU entered the 2015 season with expectations of a playoff run and national title contention. Its defense might more resemble a rehab ward at the moment, but the team's goals haven't changed.

"We're a team and I play for my brothers in here," defensive tackle Aaron Curry said during TCU's weekly press conference. "I think each of us hold each other accountable. And then, if you just take care of your job, everything will take care of itself."

The difference this season is everybody is watching. A year ago, nobody in the nation was paying attention to the Horned Frogs. Oklahoma and Baylor were the talk of the Big 12 and TCU, sporting a new spread offense that was taking off, came out of nowhere to burst onto the scene.

But after spending a solid chunk of time in the top four of the CFP rankings, only to be controversially knocked out in the final poll, followed by throttling Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, expectations were jacked up for 2015.

TCU should still have plenty of ammunition to take care of SMU this week in the non-conference finale. The following week it'll hit the road for Texas Tech, where the explosive Red Raiders will be eager to make up for last season's pasting when TCU put up 82 points.

Patterson's job is to win despite the spat of injuries and stay in contention long enough for reinforcements to hopefully get well enough to join the cause later in the season.

"Getting some pieces to the puzzle back would help, and we need to have some young guys keep growing up," Patterson said. "It's like playing poker: When you have a good hand, it's easier."

(h/t Dallas Morning News)