In Texas Christian’s slow, three-year march toward BCSville, the Horned Frogs haven’t lost a single home game since two years ago, against Utah. They haven’t lost a game since last year against . . . Utah. Tonight at 5:30 p.m., the only hurdle standing in front of TCU and its first BCS bowl game is its last formidable foe.
Utah.
If TCU coach Gary Patterson sees red every time he sees Utah, it’s not because of the Utes’ uniforms. A year ago, TCU came into Salt Lake City 9-1 and lost 13-10. Hello, Poinsettia Bowl.
Today, the Horned Frogs (9-0, 5-0 Mountain West) are fourth in the BCS rankings, and Utah (8-1, 5-0) comes in ranked 16th.
“It’s been a learning experience,” Patterson said on Tuesday’s Mountain West teleconference call. “It helped us at the first of the season. It helped us in the Boise State game when we played them in the Poinsettia Bowl. We understand the difference between winning and losing is a very tight fraction.”
A couple of huge differences this year: One, TCU is at home; two, it won’t face quarterback Brian Johnson, who threw for 230 yards against the Horned Frogs’ top-ranked defense.
Coming into Amon G. Carter’s sold-out stadium will be Utah freshman Jordan Wynn, who replaced junior Terrence Cain two weeks ago against Wyoming and started last week against New Mexico.
“It helped a lot to get my first start out of the way and get almost a full game under my belt and get a feel for how things are going to start and progress as the games goes on,” said Wynn, a two-time all-state pick out of Oceanside (Calif.) High School. “I just have to stay calm.”
Good luck, kid. You’re only facing the No. 3 defense (240.6 yards per game) in the country, one that has given up just three rushing touchdowns, none since the Air Force win Oct. 10.
Utah running back Eddie Wide has topped 100 yards every week (six straight) since Matt Asiata went down for the year Sept. 26, but he’ll face linebacker Daryl Washington and end Jerry Hughes, who’ve combined for 11 sacks and 18 1/2 tackles for loss.
John Henderson: 303-954-1299 or jhenderson@denverpost.com
Games to watch
Colorado (3-6) at Iowa State (5-5)
Noon, Jack Trice Stadium
Keep an eye on the respective starting tailbacks. The winner in that individual battle could become a significant — if not deciding — factor in the outcome of today’s game. Neither team has an explosive offense, so both hope to control the ball. ISU’s Alexander Robinson (5-feet-9, 187 pounds) ranks third among Big 12 rushers with 864 yards, while CU’s Rodney Stewart, left, (5-6, 175) is sixth at 588. Both have four 100-yard games this season, but Stewart leads in rushing touchdowns, nine to six. Neither defense is spectacular against the run, with CU allowing 151.6 yards on the ground and ISU 155.6.
Northern Colo. (3-7) at Montana (9-0)
Noon, Washington- Grizzly Stadium
The second-ranked Grizzlies are 29-1 in Big Sky games the past four seasons. Brody McKnight, left, kept the Grizzlies unbeaten with a 33-yard field goal with no time remaining to beat Idaho 12-10 last week. The win secured Montana’s 12th consecutive Big Sky title. Despite losing by three points last week to Sacramento State, the Bears had their best offensive output with 477 yards, including 325 yards passing by Bryan Waggener. UM student Matthew Brenner, who was denied a $10,000 prize even though he made a 45-yard field goal as a promotion during the Oct. 31 game, will be given another chance Saturday.
UNLV (4-6) at Air Force (6-4)
4 p.m., Falcon Stadium, MTN
Looking at the numbers, a case could be made that the matchup of the three top receivers for UNLV — Ryan Wolfe, Phillip Payne and Michael Johnson — and the top five defensive backs at Air Force actually is a mismatch. Wolfe has 70 catches for 724 yards and two touchdowns, Payne has 49 for 505 yards and five TDs, and Johnson is 35 for 423 yards and one TD. But Air Force has allowed only three touchdown passes in 10 games. The Falcons have 11 interceptions, with cornerbacks Anthony Wright, left, and Reggie Rembert having three each, and safety Jon Davis having two.
Wyoming (4-5) at San Diego St. (4-5)
8 p.m., Qualcomm Stadium, MTN
Both teams are trying to keep their bowl hopes alive and must win two of their last three to be eligible. After this, the Cowboys have No. 4 TCU at home, then play at CSU.Wyoming is the only team in the country with three players ranked in the top 25 in tackles: LB Brian Hendricks, left (fifth with 11.2 per game), FS Chris Prosinski (seventh with 10.8) and LB Gabe Knapton (13th with 10.4). The Aztecs’ offense continues to struggle, averaging 337.7 total yards (93rd nationally) and just 69.4 yards rushing (118th) with 20 turnovers, including 12 interceptions thrown by sophomore Ryan Lindley.
Players to watch
Colt McCoy, Texas
The Longhorns’ QB can tie Georgia’s David Greene for most career NCAA victories as a quarterback with 42. 10 a.m. FSN
James Vandenberg, Iowa
In his first start for injured QB Ricky Stanzi, Vandenberg goes against an Ohio State defensive front that knows how to bring the heat. 1:30 p.m. KMGH-7
Nathan Enderle, Idaho
The Vandals’ QB missed last week with a shoulder injury, but if upstart Idaho has any chance against No. 6 Boise State (a 31 1/2-point favorite), Enderle has to play. 1:30 p.m. ESPNU
Golden Tate, Notre Dame
The WR has at least one TD in five consecutive games and is averaging 118 yards per game. He’s a key to beating No. 9 Pitt. 6 p.m. KMGH-7
Toby Gerhart, Stanford
The RB is coming off a school-record 223 yards rushing last week vs. Oregon and goes against a USC run defense that has been inconsistent. 1:30 p.m. FSN
