By Kevin Graham
November 11, 2009
SHOWDOWN IN FORT WORTH
For the second consecutive year, the TCU-Utah game not only could decide the MWC championship, but has BCS implications as well. Last year, the Utes entered the game unbeaten while the Frogs had one loss. Utah’s 13-10 win in the final seconds in Salt Lake City propelled them to a perfect season ending with a victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and a final No. 2 ranking in the AP poll. This year the roles are reversed with TCU (9-0/5-0) unbeaten and ranked No. 4 in the BCS standings and Utah (8-1/5-0) with the one loss -- but with sites set on another MWC title and an outside chance to reach a BCS Bowl once again.
TCU coach Gary Patterson said last year’s loss has provided some motivation, but more than anything was a learning experience for his program, “It helped us grow up,” said Patterson. “It’s helped us mature. You know, really our guys are excited about it. You love playing great competition. You like playing in big ball games. That’s really what you play for--national attention to get a chance to prove what kind of player you are and what kind of team that you have. Utah is one of those teams that always makes you step up to the plate.”
TCU hasn’t lost since last year’s game against Utah, winning 11 straight. It’s the third-longest winning streak in the nation and while the defense continues to dominate ranking third in the country, it’s the offense of late that has hit its stride. The Frogs have outscored their last four opponents by a combined total of 175-25, registering 1,129 yards in their last two wins racking up 551 yards alone last Saturday against San Diego State. TCU has also rushed for over 300 yards the last two games.
Utah is coming off its best offensive performance of the season in their 45-17 victory over winless New Mexico. In his first start of the year, freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn threw for 298 yards and two touchdowns while Eddie Wide ran for 145 yards and two touchdowns marking his sixth consecutive game reaching the century mark. For the Utes to upset TCU and Wynn to succeed in his first road start, they must be able to run the ball. That will be easier said than done considering TCU ranks eighth in the country in rush defense. Utah is the only team in the MWC with a winning record over TCU taking the last three games with the only loss occurring in 2005.
“We are the defending champion,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said. “The championship trophy is in this building and somebody has to take that away from us. That is the first thing we tell our guys. TCU is a good football team, we respect them and they are hitting all phases but the bottom line is we have played some good football this year as well and we'll show up on Saturday night, line up and see what happens.”
COUGARS CONFUSED
BYU is in an interesting predicament this weekend as they prepare to face winless New Mexico in Albuquerque. For the Cougars to have a shot at one of their stated goals, a MWC title, not only do they have to keep winning, they have to hope for their number one rival to post a victory as well. That means rooting for the team up north, Utah, to beat TCU. However, that is something they are reluctant to admit doing.
“Hard to answer that one,” BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “Rather than get too caught up in who I will be pulling for, I just am more interested in the strategy. I think it is going to be an interesting matchup. I will leave it at that.”
For the Cougars to get a share of the MWC title the Utes would have to beat the Frogs and then BYU would have to beat their rival in the final regular season game at home on Nov. 28.
BATTLING TO GET BOWL ELIGIBLE
With the possibility of TCU getting to a BCS Bowl, that opens the door for both Wyoming and San Diego State to have a shot at a bowl bid this year. However, both teams need to become eligible first and the winner of Saturday’s game will give that school a definite leg up.
“They understand where we're at,” Wyoming coach Dave Christensen said. “We are focused on one game, but we understand that this is a pivotal, pivotal game in order for us to achieve a winning record and to have an opportunity to get to six or seven wins. We have to win this football game.”
It’s been five years since the Cowboys (4-5: 2-3) have reached a bowl game and with TCU left to play next week followed by Colorado State, Christensen is right that this game is necessary in accomplishing that goal.
San Diego State (4-5; 2-3) last appeared in a bowl game in 1998. With a road game left at Utah before closing the season at UNLV, the Aztecs must also win this week to better their chances for a post-season bid.
STRENGTH VERSUS WEAKNESS
The key match-up to focus on between Air Force and UNLV will be the Falcons’ ground attack versus the Rebels’ rush defense. Air Force leads the MWC and is fourth in the nation averaging 264 yards on the ground. UNLV ranks last in the conference and is 111th in the country allowing over 211 yards rushing per game.
“That's gonna be a big thing," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. "Somehow, we've got to stop-slash-slow down the run game. To me, this game is about scoring.”
While the Falcons (6-4; 4-2) became bowl eligible with a victory last Saturday over Army, the Rebels (4-6; 2-4) need to win this week and then beat San Diego State in the season finale to have any shot of playing in December.
MWC OUTLOOK
TCU 20 Utah 7
BYU 49 New Mexico 10
San Diego State 27 Wyoming 14
Air Force 31 UNLV 20
Bye: Colorado State
Kevin Graham hosts a daily sports talk show in Salt Lake City. You can listen and read his station blog. You can also follow him on Twitter
