FORT WORTH, Texas -- The average fan had to dance around cow pies and horse flies Saturday at Amon Carter Stadium. The best story in the BCS even had its own house band for those who just wanted to dance.
Does No. 10 Texas Christian belong in the Bowl Championship Series? Might as well ask if that halftime entertainment, the Light Crust Doughboys, know western swing?
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| Undefeated TCU and coach Gary Patterson have one thing on their mind -- a BCS bowl berth.(AP) |
Before God, country and a Fiesta Bowl rep, TCU's Underfrogs filed their latest chapter in this ongoing drama, beating Cincinnati 43-10.
What's it mean? We'll know officially Monday when the latest BCS rankings come out. But, for now, count 'em in. They came into the game No. 6 in the BCS and, for now, automatically qualified for a BCS bowl.
There's little other negativity to overcome. TCU (10-0) has won 12 in a row, 20 of its past 21. The polls love them. The computers even more. The Fiesta Bowl looks like it is on board with serious consideration. It sent president Chuck Johnson and thousands of bags of Tostitos that were placed on seats before the game.
As the final seconds ticked down, the biggest TCU crowd in eight years (42,161) reigned love, bags and toasted chip shards onto the field chanting, "BCS, BCS, BCS!"
"I told the team tonight, what we have now is special" defensive end Bo Schobel said. "Don't go out and do anything stupid to jeopardize that."
Don't count on a DUI meltdown from this team. The private school with an enrollment of 8,000 boasts a graduation rate of 80 percent. Like Notre Dame used to be, TCU has managed to blend football and academics perfectly -- for a while now. It has won 10 games in three of the past four years. The 10-0 start is the first since 1938 and only the third in the 107-year history of the program.
None of the BCS big boys has this kind of local color, either: The biggest game here in years was held around Western Heritage Day at the stadium. You could learn to two-step, heard cattle and pick out a nice pine box from the Cowboys Last Ride Casket Co. Who needs chips --- cow or otherwise -- when the Doughboys are burning down the house with what is claimed to be the oldest band in existence (born: 1931)?
The story fades from view though in five days if TCU doesn't win at Southern Miss. Playing on Thursday night is part of the burden of being stuck with the non-BCS label. It gets you national exposure. It also gets you exhausted having to rebound in less than 120 hours.
TCU coach Gary Patterson must pack up all the hopes and dreams of this season and head for Mississippi, where the Eagles and their website are waiting. Patterson came off the field, ready to talk smack on a Conference USA scale.
"Look on their website," Patterson said. "It's one of those, 'What it costs for a BCS bowl ticket. Putting TCU in the Mobile Bowl: Priceless.' They'll find out we're not scared to go to Hattiesburg. They've been talking about us all year."
After winning six of their first nine by a touchdown or less, the Frogs enjoyed their biggest blowout in a year. They blocked a punt and a field goal. The defense got another touchdown after recovering a fumble in the end zone. Kicker Nick Browne tied a school record by booting five field goals, perhaps solidifying All-American status.
And if barely sneaking by and getting lucky bounces is a sign of weakness, take the national championship from Ohio State right now.
OK, so it was only the lowly Bearcats. If Bob Huggins' basketball team was 5-5 right now, they'd be running steps. This one was run out of the stadium. If there was one small victory, it was that they left having nicked up TCU's schedule strength in the BCS (87). Cincinnati came in at 106th.
But No. 1 Oklahoma is the only other undefeated team. The point spread might be in the stratosphere if they met but that's not the point. The point is that a BCS system riveted in steel to keep teams like this out of a $13 million payday is springing a leak.
"There probably is something in my contract (about getting some of that)," Patterson said. "Let's discuss that later."
Johnson gave all the right answers too. It's looking increasingly like attendance in Tempe won't be a problem if TCU plays in the desert. The Fiesta has sold out 19 of the past 20 years and gets tremendous local support. TCU's TV appeal is evolving from a liability to a plus. Wouldn't the country want to see what this purple pride is all about?
The Fiesta Bowl is intrigued. Johnson had been here since Thursday scoping out the landscape with Fiesta CEO John Junker, who had left before Saturday.
"I talked to one person last night that said TCU would probably bring 100,000," Johnson said. "That's probably after the cocktail party."
The team that had allowed 1,264 yards (8.1 yards per play) over the past two games allowed less than 393 yards (378) and 24 points for the first time since the second week of October.
There is a huge qualifier. Patterson deserves loads of credit for maneuvering through the schedule with a beat-up team. Somehow Dennis Franchione's former defensive coordinator made this team better at quarterback when backup Brandon Hassell (200 yards in total offense Saturday) took over for Tye Gunn, who tore his groin in the second game.
The offense is still playing with a fourth stringer at right tackle. The defense has a backup at safety. Redshirt freshman Robert Merrill (51 yards, a touchdown) has become the leading rusher.
"He has really done a masterful job," TCU athletic director Eric Hyman said of Patterson. "He is painting a Picasso."
Do they deserve a BCS shot? Sure, under the current rules. Would they be competitive with Oklahoma or their BCS bowl opponent? It's debatable but say this, they are entertaining.
Things should get more entertaining before and during Thursday night when their season is on the line in Hattiesburg. On Saturday, it was time to check the bottom of your boots, saddle up and grab the nearest bag of chips.
"I'm glad the Fiesta Bowl was here," Patterson said. "I was hungry."
