On some levels, there might not have been a more underrated team in college football this season than the TCU Horned Frogs. But because of one bad drive in a loss to Utah in early November, TCU will mostly be known this season for knocking off previously undefeated Boise State, 17-16 in the Poinsettia Bowl.
As impressive as it was to hold the Broncos’ explosive offense to only 16 points, the Horned Frogs could have accomplished more this season – much more. And that’s not a knock on what they did achieve, because going 11-2 and defeating the No. 9 team in the nation in a bowl is pretty damn impressive. But imagine if TCU hadn’t wilted in the final minutes against the Utes?
For those who missed the best game in the Mountain West this season, TCU’s defense had stifled a Utah offense that averaged over 35 points per game in 2008 for 57 minutes. But two missed field goals in the fourth quarter kept the Utes in the game down just 10-6 and before you knew it, Utah drove the length of the field, scored the game-winning touchdown and left the Frogs in disbelief. Their 13-10 win essentially became a springboard for Utah to roll through the rest of its schedule and earn a trip to the Cotton Bowl to take on Alabama on New Year’s Day.
TCU’s defense was one of the fastest and most underrated units in college football this year. Their talent was on display Tuesday night, as they came up with big play after big play to contain an otherwise dynamic Boise offense. Even when they trailed 13-7 midway through the third quarter, you got the sense that if the Frog offense could just muster another touchdown that the defense would shut the door.
TCU’s offense eventually added another 10 points and when Boise had a chance to march down the field on its final drive for a win-stealing score, the Frog defense wasn’t going to be beaten the same way they had by Utah earlier in the year.
Nothing against the Utes because they’re another vastly underrated team, but I would have loved to see what TCU’s defense could have done against an SEC team like ‘Bama. But, we were one bad drive away from seeing that matchup.
