Utah stands in TCU’s way

FORT WORTH, Texas -- Before fourth-ranked Texas Christian can start thinking about a national title, there is that trophy Utah currently has -- the one kept from the Horned Frogs last season in heartbreaking fashion.

While TCU (9-0, 5-0 Mountain West) has become a national championship contender even without guaranteed access to the Bowl Championship Series, the Horned Frogs still have company atop the conference standings in the No. 16 Utes (8-1, 5-0).

The two will play today in TCU's biggest home game in 25 years.

The Utes are listed as nearly three-touchdown underdogs, but they're not intimidated. And for good reason: Utah is the defending league champ and the team on the opposite end of TCU's long winning streaks.

TCU's 11-game winning streak began after a 13-10 loss at Utah last November. The Horned Frogs also have won 12 in a row at home since losing two years ago to the Utes.

"We're still the champions until somebody proves it otherwise," Utah receiver Jereme Brooks said. "It's great. I like being the underdog."

Not only are the Horned Frogs trying to get the Mountain West title, they're trying to get where Utah has been twice before. The Utes were the original BCS buster in 2004 and last year capped an undefeated season with a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama while being the first outsider to play in two of the big-money bowl games.

TCU is fourth in the BCS standings, the highest ranking yet for a team from a conference without an automatic bid. The question is not whether the Frogs are this season's BCS buster but if they can be the first outsider to play for a national title.

The Frogs also have their highest AP ranking since 1956 and their first home sellout since Big 12 foe Texas Tech visited three years ago. The last time they had a higher ranking for a home game was at No. 1 during their unbeaten 1938 national title season.

"All that stuff is great for the fans, great for alumni, our students, faculty. For us, we have to focus in on the people that wear the red and black (Utah)," coach Gary Patterson said. "If we don't get it done, everybody will forget about it."

TCU players and coaches vividly remember Utah fans storming the field to celebrate the Utes' thrilling comeback last season.

The Frogs had led 10-0 and outgained Utah 416 yards to 275 on offense. But they missed two field goals in the fourth quarter and let the Utes drive 80 yards for the game-winning touchdown in the final minute.

"Last year was a heartbreaker, to go in the locker room and see a bunch of guys in tears. That sticks with you," junior quarterback Andy Dalton said. "That's a feeling that you never want to feel."

That hurt would be exponentially worse if it happens again because the national title hopes would vanish.

Utah's BCS chances this season took an early hit with a loss at Oregon, but the Utes have since won six in a row.

Both teams boast potent offenses. TCU leads the Mountain West with 37 points a game and matches Brigham Young with a league-high 459 yards per game.