Is TCU a National Title Contender?

[Txtcu17]

In the highly anticipated MWC matchup between TCU and Utah, the Horned Frogs dominated from start to finish. TCU gained 549 total yards while holding the Utes to just 284 total yards and just 65 yards rushing. The Horned Frogs rushed for 342 yards.

The game seemed like it would be a good one early on but TCU turned a 7-7 tie into a 35-7 blowout in just over six minutes spanning from the end of the first quarter into the second quarter.

Junior Quarterback Andy Dalton is playing great football for the Frogs. He's completing 63% of his passes (149-of-236), has 2,088 yards and 17 touchdowns with just 4 interceptions. He's making great decisions and is avoiding mistakes. He's also rushed for 389 yards and 2 TDs.


TCU's running game has been outstanding. Dalton has 389 yards and is just the team's fourth leading rusher. Joseph Turner (622 yards), Ed Wesley (598 yards) and Matthew Tucker (471) make up the three-headed monster at Running Back. The team has rushed for 2,521 yards, is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and has scored 30 touchdowns.

There is a very good argument for TCU.

TCU is the only team in the country to rank in top four in both total offense and total defense, ranking fourth in both categories.

That defense is led by Defensive End Jerry Hughes, who has 49 tackles and 10 sacks. The unit is also extremely well coached by Defensive Coordinator [deleted] Bumpas and Head Coach Gary Patterson.

TCU has won three key road games. They won at likely ACC Atlantic Division Champion Clemson, at Virginia, and blew out conference rival BYU at Provo.

The Horned Frogs have defeated three teams currently ranked in the top 25 (Clemson, BYU, & Utah). Alabama has defeated just two teams currently ranked in the top 25 (Virginia Tech, LSU) while Florida (LSU) and Texas (Oklahoma State) have defeated just one each.

TCU isn't just beating these teams either – they are destroying them. Outside of a close, come from behind win in Death Valley against a very talented Clemson team and a scare at Air Force, TCU has won every game by at least 16 points and is winning by an average of 26.3 points per game.

Unfortunately the Frogs need a loss by Texas to make the title game and that doesn't seem likely. The Horns host Kansas Saturday, play at rival Texas A&M on Thanksgiving and then have 9 days to prepare for the Big 12 Championship against either Nebraska or Kansas State. The Horns should be a heavy favorite in all three games.

TCU is one of the country's elite teams.

And they probably won't get the chance to prove it.

[Stallion]

www.killerfrogs.com

[NickSMU17]

www.whogivesafuck.com

[Phxfan]

Should be but won't be. I doubt there will ever be a non-BCS contender for the championship. That's the way the BCS wants it, and that's what they will get. Until the BCS is ended, and I think at some point it will be, forget a non-BCS school playing for #1.

[Ponyx2]

Short answer - No

[SMU2007]

should NOT be. not enough quality opponents to justify putting them in a national championship ahead of florida, alabama, texas, etc.

[Lebanese4Life]

No one gives a [deleted].

[smuuth]

Yes! Thank goodness Utah, Boise State and TCU have been able to bring to the forefront the flawed nature of the bcs monopoly and the moneytrail/national championship farce that is in place. The NCAA needs a makeover. The fans must demand it. Without us, they are out of business.

[Ikus]

Yes, the NCAA needs a makeover. I also need a winning lotter ticket.

Neither is going to happen.

And hell no, Frog High is not a national title contender. They've had a nice little season, including their water-logged win over us, but they're not in the same stratosphere as teams like Florida, Bama and (as much as it nauseates me to say it) Texas. Probably several others, too.

[Phxfan]

Yes, the NCAA needs a makeover. I also need a winning lotter ticket.

Neither is going to happen.

And hell no, Frog High is not a national title contender. They've had a nice little season, including their water-logged win over us, but they're not in the same stratosphere as teams like Florida, Bama and (as much as it nauseates me to say it) Texas. Probably several others, too.

The same was said about Boise St. and Utah. Guess what happened. Something does have to change, not sure how it gets done, but it has to change. Possably the courts, maybe some unhappy BCS teams or non BCS teams, maybe congress, POUS, maybe all the above. The BCS makes a mockery of fair play.

[EmeraldCityPony]

On ESPN radio in Seattle, the morning guy made the argument that teams like TCU shouldn't be considered to play in high-profile games because it is terrible for ratings. Everyone says they like to see an underdog win, but noone actually watches it (His argument).

[Phxfan]

On ESPN radio in Seattle, the morning guy made the argument that teams like TCU shouldn't be considered to play in high-profile games because it is terrible for ratings. Everyone says they like to see an underdog win, but noone actually watches it (His argument).

I suppose using his logic, there would be no need to even play a season. Just let ND play USC once a yr. Maybe rotate each yr. with UT, Ala. Ohio St. No need to have a season because this is about ratings? I know it's not your take, but the that of the ESPN guy.

[Stallion]

Are Florida, Alabama and Texas really that good? I think all would get their [deleted] kicked by Texas with Vince Young, USC before that, Florida's best National Champs. I'm not convinced there is a a superstar dominating team this year. I think TCU could play with these teams especially Alabama-although I wouldn't predict a victory. This TCU is better than some others because it has a strong offense.

[Alaric]

should NOT be. not enough quality opponents to justify putting them in a national championship ahead of florida, alabama, texas, etc.

edit: TCU's SOS is 25th, TX's is 37th, FL is 14th & AL is 20th.

I'd bet Texas' schedule was easier than TCU's (remember, UTEP started really slowly):
September 5 Louisiana-Monroe W 59-20 1-0 (0-0)
September 12 at Wyoming W 41-10 2-0 (0-0)
September 19 Texas Tech W 34-24 3-0 (1-0)
September 26 UTEP W 64-7 4-0 (1-0)
October 10 Colorado W 38-14 5-0 (2-0)
October 17 vs. No. 20 Oklahoma* W 16-13 6-0 (3-0)
October 24 at Missouri W 41-7 7-0 (4-0)
October 31 at No. 14 Oklahoma State W 41-14 8-0 (5-0)
November 7 UCF W 35-3 9-0 (5-0)
November 14 at Baylor W 47-14 10-0 (6-0)
November 21 Kansas 8:00 PM ET Tickets
November 26 at Texas A&M 8:00 PM ET Tickets

[Ponyx2]

In golf, the highest ratings are for those tournaments in which Tiger is playing. So we need to cancel all the other tournaments Tiger decides to skip. Next year, if the Yankees or Red Sox don't make the World Series? The ratings won't be as high, so let's cancel it. Cretin. If he's into popularity as competition, he needs to swith to "Dancing With the Stars".