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 tonight when No. 10 Texas Christian visits 16th-ranked Brigham Young
The Horned Frogs (6-0, 2-0) are the only unbeaten team in the Mountain West Conference and are trying to remain in contention for a Bowl Championship Series berth, knowing that one loss will 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 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.’’
If TCU is still unbeaten when No. 19 Utah visits Fort Worth Nov. 14, the BCS chatter the Frogs have been hearing this week won’t compare with what’s to come. If the Frogs lose tonight, 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.’’
Southern Cal’s 27-21 loss at Oregon State last season was the Trojans’ only blemish, and it was unsightly enough to prevent them from playing for the national title. Tonight’s rematch in Los Angeles is about redemption as well as survival, as the No. 4 Trojans (5-1, 2-1) can’t afford another slip-up before their showdown at 12th-ranked Oregon Halloween night. “One great thing about our guys is how coachable they are, how willing they are to learn from their mistakes,’’ USC coach Pete Carroll said. “They know a lot of things didn’t go well for us up at Oregon State last year, and they can’t wait to try to correct them.’’ . . . Ninth-ranked LSU and Auburn know a thing or two about thrilling, must-see football. Two years ago, LSU beat its SEC rival on a last-second TD catch, propelling the Tigers to a national championship. Last year, the teams were undefeated when LSU won again, 26-21, on a touchdown pass with just more than a minute remaining. In 2006, Auburn held on for a 7-3 win; in 2005, LSU won, 20-17, in overtime; in 2004, Auburn pulled out a 10-9 victory. Tonight they meet again in Baton Rouge. “My experience right now is if you win the last play, you win the game,’’ Auburn cornerback Walt McFadden said . . . Brian Kelly, coach of fifth-ranked Cincinnati, hasn’t committed to a starting quarterback today against Louisville. Tony Pike, nursing an arm injury, took snaps at practice this week, as did Zach Collaros and Chazz Anderson. “We’re a spread, no-huddle, up-tempo offense. That will continue regardless of who’s in there,’’ Kelly said . . . No. 8 Miami hosts Clemson today. The Hurricanes are one loss behind Virginia in the airtight ACC Coastal standings; Clemson is in the wacky Atlantic Division, where all six teams have at least two conference losses, but no one has more than three.
