TCU remains sixth in BCS standings despite convincing win

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By STEFAN STEVENSON

sstevenson@star-telegram.com

The Bowl Championship Series standings took another odd twist Sunday, as Cincinnati (8-0) jumped past TCU (8-0, 4-0 MWC), moving up three spots to No. 5. The Horned Frogs remained No. 6, despite a dominating 41-0 blanking of UNLV (3-6) Saturday. Cincinnati defeated Syracuse (3-5) 28-7 in a Big East Conference game. Syracuse’s three wins have come against Northwestern, Maine and Akron. UNLV has defeated Sacramento State, Hawaii and New Mexico. Boise State, which defeated San Jose State 45-7 Saturday, stayed at No. 7. TCU increased its points margin on the Broncos from .0138 to .0145 in the new standings.

The Horned Frogs did move up two spots in USA Today’s coaches’ poll to No. 4, leapfrogging No. 5 Boise State (8-0). USC (6-2), which lost to Oregon on Saturday, dropped from No. 4 to No. 13.

The Horned Frogs also moved up two spots to No. 6 in The Associated Press Top 25, its highest ranking since 1956. The Frogs still trail No. 4 Cincinnati (8-0) and No. 5 Boise State in the AP poll. Oregon moved up to No. 7 after its win over USC.

Coach Gary Patterson says it’s impossible for him to enjoy a season until it’s over. It’s easy to understand why after trying to decipher the updated polls each Sunday.

"We’ve won 80 ballgames in nine years and it’s all the same," Patterson said. "About the time you let down and you enjoy it that’s when you get beat."

The No. 6-ranked Frogs are at San Diego State (4-4, 2-2) at 3 p.m. Saturday.

Up next No. 6 TCU (8-0, 4-0) at San Diego State (4-4, 2-2), 3 p.m. Saturday, Qualcomm Stadium

TV: Versus Radio: ESPN/103.3 FM; KTCU/88.7 FM

How dominant was the defense? TCU recorded a shutout Saturday for the first time since November 2007. The Horned Frogs held UNLV to 160 total yards, 150 below the Rebels’ average. It was the best performance, statistically speaking, for the Horned Frogs this season and the best since the Frogs held Air Force to 161 yards Nov. 22, 2008. Where does Saturday’s performance rank in the Gary Patterson era? Here’s a list of the Frogs’ top defensive performances since Patterson became coach before the bowl game in 2000:


DateOpp.RushPassTotal yds
12/19/06Northern Illinois*-208060
10/4/08San Diego State-139885
11/18/06San Diego State315687
11/9/02Tulane-53168115
11/3/07New Mexico2891119
10/10/03at South Florida22104126
9/1/01at UNT10623129
12/31/02Colorado State (at Memphis)#8950139
12/2/06Air Force9844142
9/6/08Stephen F. Austin3140143
9/8/01at SMU39109148
11/12/05UNLV5152157
10/31/09UNLV11842160
*Poinsettia Bowl #Liberty Bowl

Moving up The offensive line: The Horned Frogs averaged 8.1 yards per carry against UNLV and compiled 390 yards rushing, the most since TCU joined the Mountain West Conference. Andy Dalton had plenty of time in the pocket to find receivers. Even when center Jake Kirkpatrick was injured and briefly left the game, his replacement, Josh Vernon, came in and TCU never missed a beat.

Moving down Fumbles: If there is one negative aspect to the Horned Frogs’ season so far, it is clearly fumbles. TCU had two in the first quarter against UNLV, which kept the offense from taking a commanding lead quicker. TCU has nine fumbles in eight games this season. The Frogs only lost seven fumbles in 13 games in 2008.

Stefan Stevenson, 817-390-7760

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