TCU Is More Consistent Than You Think

In 2002 they won 10 games. In 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008 they won 11. They finished in the top 25 in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2008 and are currently ranked 10th in the AP and 9th in the Coaches'. They've played in a bowl game every year since 1998, with the exception of 2004, beginning with a Sun Bowl victory over USC. The 2004 campaign managed only 5 wins and 2007 was an 8 win season. The TCU Horned Frogs are much more consistent than you may think. But what does that consistency really tell us about TCU? Does it mean that they belong among the perennial elite? Or is it merely a fallacy because they've played in the Mountain West Conference since 2005 and in Conference USA from 2001 to 2004?

TCU is currently undefeated, having beaten the likes of Virginia, Texas State, Clemson Southern Methodist and Air Force. Next up for TCU is a matchup with Colorado State before they play their first ranked opponent of the year when they visit conference foe BYU. The Cougars are currently the only ranked opponent on the Horned Frogs' roster, but a November 14 matchup with Utah may prove challenging as well. With only two legitimate challengers (to a top 10 team) left on their 2009 schedule, will TCU validate their top 10 ranking, or will they prove they're only the best of the rest?

At first glance, TCU's high ranking and their consistently strong final records seem to be the product of a fluffy schedule. However, look at 2008's schedule and you might be surprised to see four games versus top 10 opponents. The Horned Frogs lost at 2nd ranked Oklahoma and at 8th ranked—and eventually undefeated—Utah (their only losses of the season), but managed to defeat 9th ranked BYU and 9th ranked Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl.

So yeah, TCU plays some good teams. They win some, they lose some. Pretty definitive of a top 25 team, don't you think?

Andy Dalton is a good quarterback. He's thrown 6 touchdown passes and only two interceptions this season. He even rushed for 86 yards on 19 carries in a narrow win over Clemson. But it's not offense that carries TCU. It's defense. Led by defensive end Jerry Hughes, TCU is 1st in rush defense, 25th in pass defense and 7th in total defense this season.

So while TCU may not be among the perennial elite teams in the nation, they have consistently been a very good team with a solid foundation who deserve their current top 10 ranking until another team says otherwise. Expect another 10 or 11 win season. Combine that with two road victories over ACC opponents, and if TCU can manage a victory against either Utah or BYU, expect a nice bowl bid. Just don't expect a BCS at-large bid from the Horned Frogs—unless they go undefeated and look damn good in the process. But that's a whole different story. - Danny Hobrock

Danny Hobrock is a sports journalist who primarily covers college football and professional baseball. He is a contributor for several sports related blogs and is the former editor of a political and current events website.

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