They speak of the top tier not so much in talent or in ability on the field, but rather as a top tier of respect and benefit of the doubt.
It was Patterson himself who readily admitted before the regular-season finale last season against Iowa State that he had a feeling it somehow was going to break wrong. He was right, and TCU wound up in the Peach Bowl. He thought that way not because he is a doom-and-gloom cynic, but rather because he's been around and he knows the score in college football.
Senior walkon Bram Kohlhausen isn't going quietly into the night.