CFB: Utah at TCU (7:30 PM ET, CBSC)

With what the future schedule looks like, this is the last chance for TCU to be knocked off, facing a quality Utah club. The Horned Frogs are currently in a battle with Boise State to determine which team will crash the BCS party, as in all likelihood, tw

2009-11-13

With what the future schedule looks like, this is the last chance for TCU to be knocked off, facing a quality Utah club. The Horned Frogs are currently in a battle with Boise State to determine which team will crash the BCS party, as in all likelihood, two non-BCS league schools will not be allowed to do so in the same season. This game vs. the Utes won’t be easy though, as Utah as won 29 of its L31 games. Beating a lofty 20-point spread at Sportsbook.com may be simply too much to ask.

This is potentially the last big game in the Mountain West Conference if Utah can’t pull the upset of highly-ranked TCU. The Utes (8-1, 3-6 ATS) have just one blemish in the loss column, which occurred at Oregon, a 31-24 setback as four-point road dogs. Utah’s defense allowed the Ducks just 312 yards on that mid-September afternoon and has only allowed 14.3 points per game since. The Utes have a reputation for being effective when it counts most and they have won eight of their last nine games decided by a touchdown or less. Coach Kyle Whittingham made the tough choice, going with talented true freshman QB Jordan Wynn, who’s provided a lift, particularly in the red zone. Utah is a celebrated 41-20 ATS as an underdog, including 12-1 ATS as a Mountain West road dog of three or more.

Since the decade began, TCU (6-3 ATS) has won 92 games and been a perennial contender in the Mountain West, now in its fifth season. The Horned Frogs have higher expectations this year sporting a 9-0 record. With a victory over Utah, only at Wyoming and New Mexico stand in the way of perfect season and possible BCS berth. Just how good has TCU been? Take away the snow and wind contest at Air Force (20-17 win), they have conquered all other teams by average score of 39-10. The Horned Frogs have a domineering defensive front and quickness throughout the defensive two-deep. After years of being an efficient game manager and good runner, QB Andy Dalton has become a more accurate thrower, making TCU much more alarming on offense. The Frogs are 11-3 ATS as a home favorite over the last three seasons, winning by 26.3 points per game.

Utah is 5-1 and 4-2 ATS and has won three in a row in this confrontation. TCU is 17-1 and 15-3 ATS in November battles in Fort Worth.

The StatFox Power Line shows TCU by 20, not coincidentally, matching the Sportsbook.com pointspread at presstime.