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The TCU Horned Frogs seek revenge against
the Utah Utes
11/14/09
The TCU Horned Frogs are well on their way to becoming the BCS Buster of the
2009-2010 football season. TCU is 9-0 on the year and looks like this game
against Utah is their last real challenge left between them and a berth in a BCS
bowl game, and it is kind of fitting that their last real test is the same team
that played the BCS Buster role last year with Utah. Coach Gary Patterson has
done an amazing job at TCU in his tenure as Head Coach. Since taking over for
Dennis Franchione at TCU before their bowl game in 2000 Patterson is 81-27 and
has won 10+ games 5 of those years, and unless the wheels just completely fall
off he will get his 6th 10 win season this year. Patterson has instilled a
toughness in this team that really shows especially on the defensive side of the
ball. They are so close to accomplishing their goal this year, but first they
have to tale care of business against a very good Utah football team. Utah is
not in contention for a BCS bowl game like last year, but they are still having
a very good season this year. The Utes are 8-1 on the year with their lone loss
coming to a very good Oregon team. The one negative I can find with this Utah
team is that they still lack that signature win on the year, but they will get
an opportunity to get that win this weekened when they travel down to Fort
Worth, Tx.
THE PRIMETIME MATCHUP
In the past TCU has been known just as a defensive team, but this Horned Frog
football team has been very good offensively this year too. TCU is #1 in both
scoring and total offense in the Mountain West this year averaging 37 points and
459 yards per game. This is a TCU team without any glaring weaknesses so if this
Utah football team is going to pull the upset they are going to have to play
their best game of the season. When we were trying to figure out what Utah would
have to do to get the win in this game it was difficult to decide since they are
very good in all phases of the game, but since TCU and their defense has been
dominating for the past few years we dont believe Utah will be able to expose
this defense to win the game, so we believe this Utah team is going to have to
beat TCU with a taste of their own medicine with defense. In both of TCU's close
games this year against Clemson and Air Force both teams did a good job of
slowing down the TCU running game. The Utah defense is ranked 3rd in the
Mountain West in rush defense allowing just under 130 yards per game on the
ground. If they can step up and slow down this TCU rushing attack it will put a
lot of pressure on TCU QB Andy Dalton. Utah leads to conference in
interceptions, so if they force TCU and Dalton into passing downs this Utah
defense will get some opportunities to make some plays defensively, and if they
are successful and give their offense short fields they have the offensive fire
power to make this game very close.
THE FINAL VERDICT
This TCU football team has been dominant in every aspect of the game this
season. They are #1 in the Mountain West in Scoring offense and defense and
Total offense and defense. That is very impressive for a football team to be #1
in all those categories no matter what conference it is. Gary Patterson has the
Horned Frogs playing the best football they have played with him as their Coach
and the main reason for that is they finally are getting the same production out
of their offense that they have gotten from their defense for years. If Utah is
going to have a chance to win this game they are going to have to play great
defense and commit to stopping the run to force TCU QB Andy Dalton into bad
situations. If they can do this they will have a chance to make this game
interesting, but we believe this TCU football team is playing like a team on a
mission and aren't going to let anyone get in their way. We expect Utah to be
able to keep things close in the first half, but TCU will turn it on in the 2nd
half and will pull away for an easy win.