Once again, the nation, including The New York Times is taking notice of the TCU Horned Frogs and other possible BCS busters:
….In fact, Houston, Texas Christian and Boise State are not going anywhere. For the first time in the Bowl Championship Series era, teams from outside the six so-called power conferences can be considered legitimate threats for the national title.
Perhaps T.C.U. should lobby Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner John Swofford for that league’s automatic spot in the B.C.S. The Horned Frogs have now defeated two A.C.C. teams on the road, with victories at Virginia and at Clemson.
The Horned Frogs’ victory at Clemson on Saturday was not televised nationally, further highlighting the Mountain West’s exposure issues. But folks should take notice of T.C.U., which beat Boise State in a bowl last season and has the nation’s No. 12 defense.
From this point on, T.C.U. has the biggest advantage in terms of scheduling and perception of the three non-B.C.S. programs. Thanks to Utah’s blowout of Alabama in the Sugar Bowl last year and Brigham Young’s upset of Oklahoma on the opening weekend of this season, the Horned Frogs — who will play B.Y.U. and Utah later this season — have a stronger schedule to gain points in the voters’ eyes. Boise State, thanks to its pedigree and domination of a very good Oregon team in its opener, is in the best spot to reach the national title game but has the worst finishing kick to prove its validity. Neither Houston nor Boise State will face a ranked team, which will put pressure on them not only to win, but also to win by wide margins.
A key stat: TCU held Clemson to 0-3 on fourth down conversions.
Clemson’s C.J. Spiller (26-112) became the 19th player to rush for 100+ yards against the Horned Frogs — in nine years. Compare Spiller’s stats to Reggie Bush.
TCU defense fares well against Clemson’s speedsters
CLEMSON, S.C. — While preparing for Clemson earlier this week, Gary Patterson was concerned about thwarting big plays from speedsters C.J. Spiller and Jacoby Ford. The two seniors had combined for 23 scoring plays of 50 or more yards in their careers.
How good is Spiller? He became the second player in college football history to accumulate 2,500 yards rushing, 1,000 yards receiving, 1,500 yards in kickoff returns and 500 yards in punt returns. USC’s Reggie Bush is the only other player to accomplish the feat.
Here’s how the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Gil LeBreton saw it:
TCU not intimidated by Death Valley
CLEMSON, S.C. — As it was written, the home team came charging down the hill into a sea of orange.
And it was all very loud and very intimidating. And, as the second half began, very rainy. Almost Ark rainy.
But, yea, though the TCU Horned Frogs walked through the Clemson Tigers’ so-called valley of death Saturday, they feared nothing.
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