Motivation could favor Boise State

Without question, Texas Christian and Boise State have been this season's poster children for Bowl Championship Series bashers.

Each team completed the regular season with a perfect record, but neither will get a national title shot nor an opportunity to test its mettle against one of college football's so-called big boys. Instead, they were matched up in the Fiesta Bowl on Monday.

TCU (12-0), champion of the Mountain West Conference, is a 71/2-point favorite over Western Athletic Conference winner Boise State (13-0). Several factors favor the Broncos.

First of all, TCU defeated Boise State 17-16 in last year's Poinsettia Bowl, and that has to rank as at least a moderate check mark on the Broncos' side of the ledger.

TCU cornerback Rafael Priest was quoted this week as saying he wished the Horned Frogs were playing "on a bigger stage" against a more prominent opponent.

On the other hand, Boise State coach Chris Peterson repeatedly has sung the praises of TCU, saying many think the Horned Frogs were deserving of playing for the national title.

Interestingly, Boise State has fared better against Top 10 teams in recent years, going 3-0 against the spread. TCU has gone 1-4 ATS in its past five games against Top 10 foes.

Back the Broncos, led by sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore, getting more than a touchdown. Moore has 39 touchdown passes to three interceptions this season.

More plays for the rest of the bowl season:

• CAPITAL ONE BOWL, TODAY: Louisiana State (+21/2) over Penn State -- Big Ten bowl favorites have logged a 5-17 ATS record in the past 10 seasons, which does not bode well for a Penn State squad going up against a traditional Southeastern Conference power. LSU's season was below expectations, but the Bayou Bengals have been at their best in bowl games in recent years.

• SUGAR BOWL, TODAY: Cincinnati-Florida (Over 57) -- The Bearcats defense, which returned just one starter this season, has shown heavy leakage down the stretch, having been torched for an average of 36.5 points and 424 yards in the past four games. Those games were against Connecticut, West Virginia, Illinois and Pittsburgh, none of which ranked higher than No. 45 nationally in total offense. Plenty of offensive fireworks should be on display as quarterback Tim Tebow plays his final college game for the Gators.

• INTERNATIONAL BOWL, SATURDAY: Northern Illinois (+7) over South Florida -- Mid-American Conference entry Northern Illinois should bring a higher level of intensity to this bowl in Toronto. South Florida, which lost veteran quarterback Matt Grothe to a September knee injury, lost five of its past seven games.

• COTTON BOWL, SATURDAY: Mississippi (-3) over Oklahoma State -- While the Rebels are in the Cotton Bowl for the second straight season, this year's game provides a fresh setting as it has moved down the road to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Running back Dexter McCluster could prove to be the difference for Ole Miss.

• LIBERTY BOWL, SATURDAY: Arkansas (-71/2) over East Carolina -- Behind the rifle arm of Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett, the Razorbacks averaged 44.8 points in their past five games and should be able to exploit the Pirates.

• BCS CHAMPIONSHIP, THURSDAY: Alabama (-4) over Texas -- The simple truth is the Crimson Tide hold strong fundamental advantages. Most notably, Alabama will be able to shut down Colt McCoy's dink-and-dunk pass attack by following the defensive blueprint utilized by Oklahoma and Nebraska. The Longhorns' lack of a running game will be critical in the outcome.

Last week: 1-5 against the spread

Season: 47-47-1

Texas-based handicapper Paul Stone of Vegassportsauthority.com is providing college football analysis for the Las Vegas Review-Journal this season.