is mostly siding with TCU because they still don’t know much about them, or BSU for that matter. Fortunately for Bronco fans, ‘we don’t take counsel in our fears, our naysayers or the unknown.’

 People fear what they don’t understand so they do the only logical thing and side with the team that is ranked higher and seems more impressive. Although TCU almost blew it to Air Force and Clemson in a couple games.

Shame they have such a narrow looking glass.

They’re only going to make BSU’s victory that much sweeter (knock on wood)

Whenever you see the public ALL going in one direction, go the other way.

The media, and the majority of the public, are going with TCU because of what I call the “Wizard of Oz” factor. That conference gets to hide behind this giant curtain of a TV contract and nobody gets to see how mediocre they really are. We all know about the Mtn. West’s amazing TV contract. A large majority of America has never seen TCU, or the Mtn West for that matter, play one minute of football all year. All they see/remember is Utah trouncing an uninterested Bama team in last year’s Sugar Bowl, and the box score from TCU’s wins over teams like NM, UNLV, SDSU, Wyoming, Virginia, and Texas St.

That “veil” that the Mtn West enjoys helps them when it comes to public perception. See: 2008 Utah. Living in Vegas, I get to watch selected Mtn West games. I watched Utah struggle big time with Oreg St, NM, TCU and Michigan (which we all saw. Oh, wait, ABC does that awful regional coverage plan. You suck ABC!). The only time the country got to see Utah up close and personal, they destroyed a Bama team that obviously left their hearts in Atlanta. Good for them, they took advantage of the system and benefitted BIG TIME. I still don’t think that was a great team and I still don’t think they were the best team in their own conference and I honestly think Boise would’ve handled Utah.

Also, let’s be completely honest here, the Mtn West is really not much better than the WAC, if at all.

Don’t get me wrong, TCU is a really good team. We know that from last year. Their D is fast and tough, but they essentially have done this year exactly what BSU does every year: Beat up on lesser competition in their conference. The only difference is that BSU gets over analyzed and criticized by the large number of people watching on ESPN. TCU games get critiqued by almost nobody. The fact is their best win IS NOT as impressive as the Bronco’s best win. It’s going to be a great game with 2 very evenly matched teams and anyone who is predicting a blowout is a moron.

TCU’s 12-0 record is really no better than Boise State’s 13-0. The Broncos are continually discounted or their perceivably weak schedule, yet TCU’s only nominally better top to bottom. Better nonetheless, but not by much. Let’s explore;

Virginia- 3-9, 118th in Total Offense, 56th in Total Defense
Colorado St.- 3-9, 81st, 78th
UNLV- 5-7, 80th, 115th
SDSU- 4-8, 87th, 71st
Wyoming- 6-6, 112th, 83rd
New Mexico- 1-11, 104th, 101st

That is six opponents that TCU faced that basically have no Offense or Defense. Throw in Texas State (FCS), and you’ve got a fairly creampuff schedule. Now before someone bumbles through a post with exacerbation, keep in mind I’m not saying Boise State’s schedule is better, only similar. Which makes me wonder why TCU is being adorned with national praise for this year’s run, and being included in National Title talk. Especially when you consider that the Broncos have been doing the same thing 3 of the last 4 years.

Is TCU’s Defense better statistically? Sure.
Should they be favored to win? Probably.
Do I think Boise State has their work cut out for them? Sure. Just as TCU does also.

Everybody may be predicting a TCU win, but nobody is predicting a blowout. In fact, in all the predictions I’ve seen has Boise State covering the 7 point spread. Which intimates to me that while TCU is seen as the popular pick, the Broncos are still going to make this a game.

TCU’s has a had a great season and they are a great team, I have no doubt.
What they haven’t faced all season, is another great team. Enter Boise State.

I can’t wait… GO BRONCOS!

Both teams will be highly motivated, come game time. Don’t count on TCU being too disappointed about not being in the NC game. This is their first BCS bowl, and that’s inspiration enough for them. With all the NC mentions this year for the Frogs, a Fiesta Bowl win will probably get them there next year. The Frogs are motivated.
 The same motivation is driving the Broncos.
 Coach Pete is a great motivater and strategist, but Coach Patterson is an equally good coach.
 The Frogs are a little more mature, as a team. Patterson recruits fast athletes, and then finds a position for them. They are big, physical, fast, and well coached. That makes them equal, to superior, to the Broncos, on the surface.
 The Bronco’s advantage lies in how Coach Pete recruits and prepares his teams. All the Bronco players have a lot of heart. Coach Pete wouldn’t have considered them without that quality. Coach Pete is an awesome coach, especially when he has a lot of time to prepare his team for a game. Ask Oregon or Oklahoma. When the Broncos take the field on January 4, they will have a good game plan, coupled with an iron will to win, and they will be playing their hearts out to make it happen.
  TCU is not an inferior team, but the question really is, will they be the better team on the 4th?
  TCU fans will pick TCU to win, and Bronco fans will go with the Broncos. Both teams have earned that loyalty from their fans. Both teams are that good.

BSU hasn’t been the underdog much in this season. were they in the Oregon game? see how that came ou?

anyway, bulletin board material. motivational tools. bsu was favored last year (right?) and look what happened. i take no heed.

I also think the media’s overwhelming lean towards TCU is due to media coverage. However, I think it has more to do with seeing BSU than not seeing TCU. Every time Boise got a chance this season to make a statement in front of a national audience, they played poorly. Couple that with only ready box scores of TCU games, and the love affair begins.
That said, I saw the TCU/Utah game. I totally understand the love affair. TCU is not just a solid team. They are very good, and the will not beat themselves. I hope our boys bring everything they’ve got. Can’t wait til 1/4/10!

Remember the build up to that NC game? All anyone talked about was USC and how they are the greatest team ever and how Texas has no chance. USC was all ESPN could talk about. Remember how it ended? I will admit I like USC and I was rooting for them and screaming at the TV on that 4th and short when they went for it and REGGIE BUSH WASN’T EVEN ON THE FIELD! My point is this, let the media talk the Frogs up and let it all go to their heads. I think that’s what happened to us in the Hawaii Bowl the year after out Fiesta Bowl win. We need to be confident that the coaches and players will be ready for this game and TCU will come in thinking that they are just gonna walk all over us in this one. But, like Corso always says………

NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND!

Go Broncos!

Oh, wait. Can I have another take?

Some might argue that TCU feels it belongs in the national championship game and that a Fiesta Bowl trip is an inadequate runner’s up award … What do you think? No doubt Gary Patterson will do his best to prevent this from happening…

I commented before somewhere (here or Twitnerd), that I found it extremely laughable that Coach Patterson was using “We can be #1 AP!” as motivation for his team. If I were a player, I’m not sure I could buy that. It would sound all too much like smoke and mirrors to me (which, it is. No way Texas beats Bama and TCU moves ahead of them).

That said, I haven’t seen any TCU player quotes, other than those from right after the BCS Selection announcement, when the players weren’t too happy. Boise players, on the other hand, don’t feel shafted (although, you would think they have a bigger argument after last year snub and that this year could also be a snub in the NC game, too)… they want revenge.

However, although it is likely that TCU won’t be wanting to play this game more than Boise players, it’s never an excuse if your team doesn’t show up on the field (Suck it, Saban – Jan 2009).

“…but saying it wasn’t even close”

please quote my rear better next time