Well, I can't speak to the "we're a lock" part but there have been articles written by disinterested, non-TCU, basketball writers that mention TCU as a possible Top 25 next year team, again in the Top 3 or 4 in the conference. Even going with a Top 30 team in the preseason, just outside the Top 25, still would position TCU solidly in the middle of a 64 team playoff pool. So, I would say there's a very reasonable chance that the Frogs make it in this year and actually stay awhile, which is reflected in the optimistic comments of a number on here.
Borrowing a line from the Shawshank Redemption, "remember Red . . . hope is a good thing"!