TCU reaches No. 7 in polls, finishes as top-ranked team in Texas
For a second consecutive season, TCU finished Tuesday as the top-ranked team from the state of Texas in the final college football polls.
The Horned Frogs (11-2) climbed to No. 7 in the postseason Associated Press and coaches polls, one spot ahead of eighth-ranked Houston (13-1), which earned its first top-10 finish in the AP poll since placing fifth in 1979.
It marked the Frogs’ fifth top-10 finish in the AP rankings in the past eight seasons, following efforts of third (2014), second (2010), third (2009) and seventh (2008).
Great for the seniors and the team to end up in the Top 10 after all that happened to them. They will be remembered.
TCU coach Gary Patterson
This might be one of the most memorable top-10 finishes for TCU, considering the large number of injuries and missed games that threatened to derail its season.
“Great for the seniors and the team to end up in the top 10 after all that happened to them,” TCU coach Gary Patterson said. “They will be remembered.”
TCU has been the state’s top-ranked team in the final polls in three of the past six seasons (2015, 2014, 2010). The Horned Frogs secured their final spot this season with a historic rally to defeat Oregon 47-41 in triple overtime at the Valero Alamo Bowl after trailing 31-0 at halftime. The Frogs’ comeback, which matched the largest rally by any bowl winner in postseason history, allowed them to climb four spots in the final poll.
The only other team from Texas to crack the final AP Top 25 was No. 13 Baylor (10-3), which posted the Bears’ third consecutive finish of 13th or higher in the final AP poll. Baylor was No. 7 in 2014 and No. 13 in 2013. The Bears climbed five spots in the final rankings after knocking off North Carolina 49-38 in the Russell Athletic Bowl.
Among other area teams in The Associated Press poll, Oklahoma (11-2) finished fifth and Oklahoma State (10-3) checked in at No. 20. The biggest mover from the Lone Star State was Houston, which climbed six spots after taking down then-No. 10 Florida State 38-24 in the Peach Bowl to emerge as the highest-ranked team from outside of a Power 5 conference in the final poll.
Houston, winner of the American Athletic Conference, earned the highest postseason ranking of any team from outside a Power 5 league since Boise State finished No. 8 in the 2011 final rankings.
Staff writer Carlos Mendez contributed to this report.
Jimmy Burch: 817-390-7760, @Jimmy_Burch
AP Top 25
Team Record | Points | Previous |
1. Alabama (61) 14-1 | 1,525 | 2 |
2. Clemson 14-1 | 1,464 | 1 |
3. Stanford 12-2 | 1,360 | 5 |
4. Ohio St. 12-1 | 1,342 | 7 |
5. Oklahoma 11-2 | 1,270 | 4 |
6. Michigan St. 12-2 | 1,227 | 3 |
7. TCU 11-2 | 1,098 | 11 |
8. Houston 13-1 | 1,050 | 14 |
9. Iowa 12-2 | 981 | 6 |
10. Mississippi 10-3 | 975 | 16 |
11. Notre Dame 10-3 | 953 | 8 |
12. Michigan 10-3 | 911 | 17 |
13. Baylor 10-3 | 820 | 18 |
14. Florida St. 10-3 | 630 | 9 |
15. North Carolina 11-3 | 563 | 10 |
16. LSU 9-3 | 546 | 22 |
17. Utah 10-3 | 499 | 20 |
18. Navy 11-2 | 465 | 21 |
19. Oregon 9-4 | 391 | 15 |
20. Oklahoma St. 10-3 | 372 | 13 |
21. Wisconsin 10-3 | 332 | 23 |
22. Tennessee 9-4 | 260 | NR |
23. Northwestern 10-3 | 203 | 12 |
24. W. Kentucky 12-2 | 128 | 25 |
25. Florida 10-4 | 126 | 19 |
Others receiving votes: Georgia 109, Washington St. 51, Mississippi St. 47, San Diego St. 44, Arkansas 28, Toledo 28, Southern Cal 10, Appalachian St. 7, Boise St. 4, Duke 3, Temple 2, BYU 1.
Coaches poll
Team | Record | Points |
1. Alabama (56) | 14-1 | 1,400 |
2. Clemson | 14-1 | 1,344 |
3. Stanford | 12-2 | 1,235 |
4. Ohio State | 12-1 | 1,231 |
5. Oklahoma | 11-2 | 1,172 |
6. Michigan State | 12-2 | 1,121 |
7. TCU | 11-2 | 1,020 |
8. Houston | 13-1 | 928 |
9. Ole Miss | 10-3 | 919 |
10. Iowa | 12-2 | 862 |
11. Michigan | 10-3 | 812 |
12. Notre Dame | 10-3 | 781 |
13. Baylor | 10-3 | 763 |
14. Florida State | 10-3 | 645 |
15. North Carolina | 11-3 | 543 |
16. Utah | 10-3 | 499 |
17. LSU | 9-3 | 485 |
18. Navy | 11-2 | 402 |
19. Oklahoma State | 10-3 | 392 |
20. Oregon | 9-4 | 356 |
21. Wisconsin | 10-3 | 307 |
22. Northwestern | 10-3 | 207 |
23. Tennessee | 9-4 | 190 |
24. Georgia | 10-3 | 173 |
25. Florida | 10-4 | 141 |
Others receiving votes: Western Kentucky 73; San Diego State 55; Toledo 27; Washington State 23; Temple 18; Mississippi State 18; Marshall 15; Arkansas 11; Appalachian State 9; Boise State 8; Louisville 7; Memphis 2; Duke 2; Southern California 2; West Virginia 1; Georgia Southern 1.
This story was originally published January 12, 2016 at 9:51 AM with the headline "TCU reaches No. 7 in polls, finishes as top-ranked team in Texas."