No. 10 TCU takes BCS hopes to No. 16 BYU

TCU takes BCS hopes to BYU

PROVO, Utah — TCU can’t reach the BCS without a win over BYU.

With all those letters, it almost sounds like an algebra equation with an answer that may not be reached for another month. But at least part of it will be solved Saturday when No. 10 TCU visits 16th-ranked BYU.

The Horned Frogs (6-0, 2-0) are the only unbeaten team left in the Mountain West Conference and are trying to remain in contention for a Bowl Championship Series berth, knowing that it only takes one loss to knock them out of the running.

Sound familiar? BYU was in a nearly identical position a year ago entering a highly anticipated showdown that ended up being a 32-7 rout for TCU.

The Cougars (6-1, 3-0) haven’t forgotten the humbling trip to Texas and how it derailed BYU’s best start in seven years.

“I learned a lot of things,” BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. “I remember how I was feeling going into the game that some of the attention was starting to affect not only myself as a coach, but our players. And I think we had maybe a false sense of security that we were a little better than what we were.”

The game was on a Thursday night, so the Cougars’ poor performance and the way the Frogs dominated got plenty of airtime. The rematch has been widely tabbed as the game of the week — nationally, not just in the Mountain West.

“I won’t even have to talk about how important BYU is. They know what this game is about,” TCU coach Gary Patterson said. “Our job will be to keep them more grounded than it will be to get them fired up.”

BYU is welcoming the exposure and chance to atone both for last year’s loss at TCU and the Cougars’ only blemish on this season, which was a big one. Florida State essentially ended the Cougars’ BCS aspirations with a 54-28 win in Provo on Sept. 19.

“We’ve had games in the past when we’ve played well in the spotlight and we’ve had games when we haven’t played well. We’re trying to build a great program where we consistently can win big games and constantly compete and win conference championships,” BYU quarterback Max Hall said. “This game is a big step in both of those directions. I don’t think it’s kind of like a do-or-die for us right now but it is a big game.”

It’s especially big for Hall, a senior who wants to end his college career with a second Mountain West title in three years. The Frogs flustered Hall last year, sacking him six times and intercepting two of his passes. He also fumbled on the opening drive and TCU quickly converted the turnover into a touchdown.

TCU scored the first 26 points and the Cougars never recovered.

“I’m pretty sure they’re going to come out there, coming after us,” said TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes, who had four of TCU’s six sacks against BYU last year.

BYU is 2-6 against ranked teams under Mendenhall, most recently opening the season with a 14-13 upset of then-No. 3 Oklahoma.

As well as the Cougars played in the upset, two weeks later they were embarrassed by Florida State. BYU fell behind early and the deficit grew with every mistake. The Cougars’ couldn’t keep up with the Seminoles and face another speedy defense in TCU.

The Frogs rank fourth nationally in total defense, holding opponents to an average of just 238 yards per game.

“They cause a lot of problems for offenses and they have the personnel to do it. It makes it tough,” Hall said. “We’ve just got to be good in what we do and kind of do some things that are to our strengths and their weaknesses.”

Although BYU leads the series 5-3, the Frogs and Cougars have split the four meetings since TCU joined the Mountain West in 2005. Whoever wins Saturday will be at least tied for the lead in the conference standings. No. 19 Utah also entered the weekend without a conference loss and both the Frogs and Cougars still face the Utes next month.

If TCU is still unbeaten when Utah visits Fort Worth on Nov. 14, the BCS chatter the Frogs have been hearing this week won’t compare with what’s to come.

If the Frogs lose Saturday, the BCS will no longer be a concern.

“If we don’t achieve that, then there’s not any conversation,” Patterson said. “That’s why I talk very little about it, because this is the first, you’ve had some hurdles, but this is the first really, really big hurdle as far as doing all the things.”

AP Sports Writer Stephen Hawkins in Dallas contributed to this report.