Mountain West Heavyweights Collide: Utah vs. TCU

November 6, 2010

It’s hard to believe that a game between two Mountain West Conference foes would be the game of the week. The 5th ranked Utah Utes and the 3rd ranked Texas Christian Horned Frogs have helped change the landscape of college football over the last 10 years. Both of these teams have managed to find a way to build what many believed to be “second tiered” programs into National powerhouses. After their match-up Saturday at 3:30 ET, one of these teams will be in great shape to put themselves into the BCS National Championship game.

While TCU has been in the limelight all season long, the Utes have slowly climbed the ladder to their top 5 ranking. Wins over #15 Pittsburgh, Iowa St and the rushing attack of Air Force have helped Utah rise to their current ranking while others have fallen. They will face their biggest test of the season as they take on the number 1 ranked defense in the country.

The Horned Frogs defense has been nothing short of remarkable this year. They are allowing just 8.7 points per game, and have outscored their opponents 189-16 over their last 5 games! Only Oregon St, Baylor and SMU have cracked double-digits against this defense. If they can somehow find a way to stop the 3rd ranked offense in the country, they are virtually assured a chance at the National Championship.

Texas Christian’s offense is potent on the ground and in the air. They may be ranked significantly higher in their rushing game (9th in division 1), but quarterback Andy Dalton has the ability to burn secondary’s. Dalton is completing 66 percent of his throws, and has delivered 16 touchdowns to just 5 interceptions this year. He is often overlooked as the TCU rushing attack generally gets all of the attention. Ed Wesley is just 62 yards short of 1000 yards on the season, and already has 10 rushing touchdowns. Mathew Tucker and QB Dalton have contributed an additional 882 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns. This is an extremely tough team to beat when they are going good. Having a running game that solid and a defense that suffocating makes it next to impossible for a team to come from behind on the Horned Frogs.

If any team has a chance to come back from an early hole, it may be the 3rd ranked offense of Utah. The Utes are putting up an amazing numbers offensively. They have a remarkably balanced offensive which makes it hard for defenses to get comfortable. Sophomore quarterback Jordan Wynn has taken this passing attack to new heights in 2010. He is completing passes at almost a 70 percent rate, and has a QB rating over 162. If he can keep the TCU defense on their heels, then it will open up the running lanes for the running back tandem of Eddie Wide and Matt Asiata. These two have combined for 979 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. It’s my opinion that this game will be decided when TCU’s defense and Utah’s offense go head to head. There is no doubt that this game is destined to be decided in the final minutes,

The oddsmakers have made the home Utes a 5 point underdog for this one. Seems like quite a few points to be giving the 3rd best offense in the country at home, but it goes to show you that defense has more say. As an expert handicapper I feel that this line is very close to be right on the money. The best way to make a winning football pick in this match-up will be on the total. Tune in Saturday as 2 of the best 5 teams in the country collide in what should be an awesome display of offense and defense!

Written by Glenn Andrew · Filed Under NCAA Football

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