Texas Christian University Horned Frogs vs. Boise State Broncos
The Poinsettia Bowl
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
8:00 P.M. ET
The # 11 ranked Texas Christian Frogs (10-2) take on the # 9 ranked Boise State Broncos (12-0) in the fifth installment of the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl. The Mountain West Conference has participated in all five, while the Pac-10 is in its third. San Diego’s climate is attractive to schools seeking bowl berths. The Poinsettia Bowl is the younger of two bowls in the city. The Holiday Bowl on December 30th is in its 31st year. Boise State is slated as the home team. The last meeting between the schools was the inaugural 2003 Fort Worth (Armed Forces) Bowl, won by the Broncos 34-31. Only four of the BCS bowls feature teams with higher combined rankings. Although undefeated, Boise State is a 2 ½ point underdog.
Texas Christian: UP: This is TCU’s tenth bowl in 11 years. Their last bowl loss came at the hands of Boise State, which they plan to avenge this year. The Frogs total defense is ranked #2 nationally. Eight of eleven starting defenders were named all-conference first or second team. DE Jerry Hughes leads the nation with 14 sacks, while the team averages 3+ sacks per game. The offense is #1 in the nation in time of possession. They set school records for TDs and total points. Rushing yardage was #13 nationally. QB Andy Dalton had 11 TD passes, all in the last 5 games.
DOWN: WR Jeremy Kerley has endured an injury for four games but should be healthy for the bowl game. Kicker Ross Evans, a freshman, struggled lately, missing 3 field goals within 39 yards and 6 PATs. TB Joseph Turner missed the last game with an injury.
Boise State: UP: QB Kellen Moore, freshman, was a second team all-conference pick. He posted a league best 70% pass completion rate. Tailbacks and wideouts provided tough yards during the season. WR Austin Pettis had 9 TD receptions in last 8 games. The defense was 3rd in the nation for least points allowed at just 12.3. Only three teams scored over 10 points against them. The Bronco safeties and cornerbacks excel. DOWN: The Broncos had hoped their record would earn them a BCS Bowl bid. They have been defeated in three of their last four bowls. Conventional wisdom says they would not be undefeated in a tougher conference. The offense has lacked consistency. TE Chris O’Neill has a broken foot and DL Steven Reveles has a broken arm. The early bowl date makes them unlikely to play. DE Mike Williams is out with a knee injury.
Keys to the Game: The Frogs secondary must keep track of Pettis and other receivers to negate Moore’s passing prowess. Offensively, they should grind out the rush to maintain their high time of possession record. The Bronco secondary must contain Kerley and other receivers while the defensive line has to take away the run. Moore should be mobile enough to allow his receivers time to get open.
By the Numbers: TCU is 8-3 ATS while Boise is 7-2-2. Both teams are 5-6 O/U. Since 1993 the Frogs are 6-4 SU and 7-2 ATS in bowl games. The Broncos are 5-3 in both categories. Texas is 8-2 ATS as a favorite this year with Boise is 1-0 as the underdog. Boise has only beaten one of the top 60 Sagarin ranked teams. TCU will be the 5th highest ranked team the Broncos have ever faced. Their record is 2-2 against the other four. TCU’s explosive offense should provide plenty of highlight film footage. The Bronco’s had better be ready. This game promises to be the most viewed this bowl season, other than the national championship game.