All hail the Frogs!
With an impressive blowout win (the kind the rest of the nation's biggies can't seem to post) over San Diego State, our very own TCU has jumped up to No. 4 in the latest BCS standings. Slim as it may be, the Frogs have a chance to become the first non-automatic qualifier to jump up and make an appearance in the BCS title game. How cool would THAT be?
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| Quarterback Andy Dalton and the Horned Frogs were more than a step ahead of San Diego State. (AP) |
Here's this week's rating of the best of the under-appreciated.
1. TCU, 9-0
Last week: 1
Result: Won 55-12 at San Diego State
Here's a memo to teams like Florida, Texas and Alabama: THIS is how you blow out a middle-of-the-road team and look good doing so. The Frogs scored on five of their first six possessions and were up 31-6 at halftime. The starters spent the second half signing autographs for the kids.
Next: vs. Utah, Saturday
2. Boise State, 9-0
Last week: 2
Result: Won 45-35 at Louisiana Tech
Too bad that whole second-half Bulldog comeback scare had to happen. The 27-7 halftime lead was enough to impress the scribes, but Tech's orneriness didn't do BSU any favors in the style points department. And that's what college football at this level is all about, ya' know.
Next: vs. at Idaho, Saturday
3. Utah, 8-1
Last week: 4
Result: Won 45-14 vs. New Mexico
Can't blame the Utes here. They merely piled on what has already been a disastrous season for Mike Locksley and the winless Lobos. This leapfrog of Houston may be temporary as the Utes now travel to TCU in a big non-BCS showdown.
Next: at TCU, Saturday
4. Houston, 8-1
Last week: 3
Result: Won 46-45 at Tulsa
A touchdown, an onside kick and a career-long field goal from Matt Hogan, all in the final 29 seconds help the Cougars escape certain death. Case Keenum had his second straight 500-plus yard game, going 40-for-60. Hope there was enough ice for his arm afterward.
Next: at Tulsa, Saturday
5. Brigham Young, 8-2
Last week: 5
Result: Won 52-0 at Wyoming
Max Hall has now engineered 28 career wins, one shy of Ty Detmer in the BYU record book, as he went an easy 20-for-22 and 312 yards. BYU also shut out the 4-5 Cowboys for the second straight year, outscoring them 96-0.
Next: at New Mexico, Saturday
6. Temple, 7-2
Last week: 6
Result: Won 34-32 vs. Miami (Ohio)
Owls nervously sneak by the hapless RedHawks, getting the winning field goal with three seconds remaining. But TU also finds itself on its longest win streak since 1973 (seven) and inches closer to the MAC title game.
Next: at Akron, Friday
7. Troy, 7-2
Last week: 7
Result: Won 40-20 at Western Kentucky
Running back Shawn Southward, a freshman whose biggest game until this week was 39 yards vs. North Texas, exploded for 139 yards and four touchdowns to pace the Trojans. But Troy did have a tough time against the winless Hilltoppers, trailing most of the first half. ... Marge Simpson grumble here.
Next: at Arkansas, Saturday
8. Nevada, 6-3
Last week: 8
Result: Won 62-7 at San Jose State
The WolfPack, still leading the WAC at 5-0, became just the fifth team in NCAA history to have four 100-yard rushers in one game as they rolled the Spartans on national TV on Sunday night. The way this team is playing, it could be a Boise-buster when Nevada go to the blue turf on Nov. 27.
Next: vs. Fresno State, Saturday
9. Central Michigan, 7-2
Last week: 9
Result: Idle
Chips took the week off still smarting from their thumping at Boston College. They'll face tune-ups against Toledo and Ball State before a MAC West showdown vs. Northern Illinois on Nov. 27.
Next: vs. Toledo, Wednesday
The 10-spot: Saint Xavier (Ill.), 11-0
Last week: Unranked
Result: Won 36-24 at St. Francis (Ind.)
The Cougars get the honorary 10-spot after posting the school's first-ever perfect season and first-ever Mid-States Football Association title by beating the No. 8-ranked team in NAIA. It also ended USF's 56-game home win streak, which went all the way back to Nov. 3, 2001. QB Anthony Kropp was 31-for-56 for 375 yards and three TDs to pace the Coogs.
Next: Idle. Awaiting the NAIA tournament pairings, to be announced Sunday.
