September 22, 2008

TCU vs Oklahoma

The only battle of the FBS unbeatens this week (unless you count Tulsa vs Central Arkansas.) This game is better than the 17.5 Monday Yahoo Pick'em line gives credit for.

The favorite is the heavyweight Oklahoma. No team has come within 26 points of them. Their opponents, however, are a combined 4-7. This is the first stiff test Oklahoma will face. If they are what they should be this game should not be a problem but all that really exists is optimistic speculation at this point.

In the challengers corner we have TCU. While Stanford kept within 17 of TCU and New Mexico within 23, their opponents are a combined 5-10. This much anticipated game is an opportunity prove how strong this former major conference (SWC) member is today. Sneaking quietly into the top 25 TCU has the perfect opportunity to announce their national presence.

With the MWC already racking up a 5-0 record against the PAC 10 (with 2 games left) and one of three conferences with at least 3 undefeated teams this is already an historic year for the conference. The first time three teams from this conference are in the top 25 adds to the allure. Is this a one week anomaly or a changing of the guard?

Though the four year window the BCS examines all but excludes a MWC entry into the BCS after this year, a win by TCU this week will only raise the clamor of those calling for a change to be made. A win this week would set the stage for a BCS move after 2009, if success is found next year as well.

But first there is a giant. Oklahoma.

Comments:

TCU vs Oklahoma
The only battle of the FBS unbeatens this week (unless you count Tulsa vs Central Arkansas.) This game is better than the 17.5 Monday Yahoo Pick'em line gives credit for. The favorite is the heavyweight Oklahoma. No team has come within 26 points of them. Their opponents, however, are a combined 4-7. This is the first stiff test Oklahoma will face. If they are what they should be this game should not be a problem but all that really exists is optimistic speculation at this point. In the challengers corner we have TCU. While Stanford kept within 17 of TCU and New Mexico within 23, their opponents are a combined 5-10. This much anticipated game is an opportunity prove how strong this former major conference (SWC) member is today. Sneaking quietly into the top 25 TCU has the perfect opportunity to announce their national presence. With the MWC already racking up a 5-0 record against the PAC 10 (with 2 games left) and one of three conferences with at least 3 undefeated teams this is already an historic year for the conference. The first time three teams from this conference are in the top 25 adds to the allure. Is this a one week anomaly or a changing of the guard? Though the four year window the BCS examines all but excludes a MWC entry into the BCS after this year, a win by TCU this week will only raise the clamor of those calling for a change to be made. A win this week would set the stage for a BCS move after 2009, if success is found next year as well. But first there is a giant. Oklahoma.