 | BOISE STATE (13-0) vs. TCU (12-0)
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Jan. 4, 8 p.m. ET
FOX |  |
INSIDE THE CAMPS
BOISE STATE
You won't hear any complaining out of the Boise State Broncos about their Fiesta Bowl showdown with No. 3 TCU. The game will be played Jan. 4 in Glendale, Ariz.
The matchup has been ripped by many because it pits the two non-BCS conference squads against each other in a BCS game. However, Boise State considers the game a chance to play the highest-ranked team available and avenge its only loss of the past two seasons.
TCU beat Boise State 17-16 last year in the Poinsettia Bowl.
"It sits real uneasy with all of us," sophomore defensive tackle Billy Winn said of that defeat. "It's like that acid in the bottom of your stomach. It makes you sick."
The game isn't exactly a rematch. Boise State lost 10 of the players who started in last year's game; TCU lost 11 Poinsettia Bowl starters and its offensive coordinator.
Both teams have played better, and are ranked higher, this year.
"The interesting thing about this matchup is TCU's better -- and we didn't get it done (last year)," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. "We're going to have to be much better than we were last year ourselves."
TCU
There is no denying TCU is grateful for its invitation to the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, the program's first-ever trip to a BCS bowl game.
But for a team constantly trying to quiet critics who say the Horned Frogs don't play anybody, the Mountain West Conference champion sure would have liked to have been matched up with a BCS conference opponent rather than the Western Athletic Conference champ Boise State.
For that matter, so would the Broncos.
Neither coach -- TCU's Gary Patterson nor Boise State's Chris Petersen -- will likely be too critical of the matchup publicly, but that didn't stop some TCU fans from speaking their mind Sunday evening.
"The BCS is basically telling TCU and Boise State, 'You kids play nice over in the corner,'" TCU student Sam Negus told CBS Ch. 11 in Dallas. "The game could be called the Children's Table Bowl."
Patterson was much more gracious about the game that will be a rematch of last year's 17-16 TCU win over Boise State in the Poinsettia Bowl. While the scoreboard showed a close game, TCU dominated the stat sheet in essentially every category, including holding the Broncos to just 28 rushing yards.
"We are excited about going to the Fiesta Bowl and playing a Boise State team that has a great program," said Patterson, emphasizing how much of a relief it is to finally get into a BCS game after years of near misses. "We've been close many times."
There are several statistical matchups that make the Fiesta Bowl intriguing. Boise State ranks first in the nation in scoring offense (44.2 points per game) and No. 8 in total offense (460.5 yards per game), while TCU is No. 1 in total defense (233.3 yards per game) and No. 6 in scoring defense (12.4 points allowed per game).
TCU also boasts arguably the nation's premier pass rusher over the past two years in defensive end Jerry Hughes, who had 15 sacks in 2008 to lead the nation and has 11.5 this year. Boise State, meanwhile, leads the nation in fewest sacks allowed, surrendering just five in 13 games this season.
KEY MATCHUPS
TCU DE Jerry Hughes vs. Boise State OT Nate Potter.
Potter developed into the Broncos' best offensive lineman as the year progressed and was named to the All-WAC first team. He and RT Garrett Pendergast must deal with Hughes, who won the Hendricks Award as the nation's top defensive end. The Broncos lead the nation with just five sacks allowed this year.
TCU's offensive line vs. Boise State's defensive line.
The Broncos played the Horned Frogs last year with about half of their defensive line. They are healthy and loaded up front this year, which could make a significant difference. The Horned Frogs were able to control the ball with the run game last year.
Boise State QB Kellen Moore vs. TCU's defense.
Moore is the nation's most efficient passer, and he leads the nation's highest-scoring offense. TCU leads the nation in total defense and ranks in the top six in nearly every other defensive category. A big day for Moore would jump-start his 2010 Heisman campaign. He finished seventh this year.
NAMES TO KNOW
BOISE STATE
TB Doug Martin -- He finished the season on a three-game tear -- 37 carries, 332 yards and eight touchdowns. He had 15 carries in the previous four games as he battled a muscle pull.
QB Kellen Moore -- The nation's most efficient passer has 39 touchdowns and three interceptions. His lack of mistakes has allowed the Broncos to rank near the top of the country in turnover margin.
DE Ryan Winterswyk -- He has rattled quarterbacks all year with almost constant pressure. He has 8.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss.
WR Austin Pettis -- He caught 14 touchdown passes in the first 11 games, then got hurt at the beginning of the Nevada game. He's questionable for the bowl with a lower leg fracture. The Broncos need him because of his ability to make catches in tight spaces.
TCU
DE Jerry Hughes -- Even when he isn't getting to the quarterback, he's wreaking havoc in the backfield. The former high school running back is an unbelievable athlete that has 11.5 sacks this season and won Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors.
QB Andy Dalton -- Dalton slowly but surely gained national respect this year as a player who is much more than just a game manager, a tag he was stuck with heading into the season as TCU is known for a strong defense and a powerful running game. Dalton tossed 22 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He threw for nearly 2,500 yards and rushed for more than 500 more.
LB Daryl Washington -- With Hughes being the focal point of most offensive blocking schemes, Washington has been the perfect compliment, making team's pay for ignoring him. Washington led the team with 99 tackles and had three interceptions.
WR Jeremy Kerley -- There isn't a more dangerous return man in the Mountain West Conference and some could argue Kerley is as good as there is in the nation. Head coach Gary Patterson has seen to it Kerley get involved in any way possible on offense. Kerley averages 121.8 all-purpose yards per game and has scored touchdowns as a wide receiver (2), a running back (3) and returned a pair of punts for touchdowns this year.
MEDICAL WATCH
BOISE STATE
- WR Austin Pettis, who missed most of the final two games with a lower-leg fracture, is making progress and is questionable.
- LB Derrell Acrey didn't play in the regular-season finale but will return for the bowl. He is a contributor at middle linebacker.
- WR Tyler Shoemaker (hernia) is expected to return for the bowl.
- FB Richie Brockel, LB Daron Mackey, RB D.J. Harper and RB Matt Kaiserman are out.
TCU
- Starting SS Colin Jones missed the final four regular-season games with a hamstring injury, but should be available for the Fiesta Bowl. Tyler Luttrell, who started at the beginning of the season, has played well in Jones' absence and will likely start the Fiesta Bowl.
- Sophomore S Tekerrian Cuba, who started a pair of games this season, missed the final two regular season games at Wyoming and vs. New Mexico with a bad hamstring. He, like Jones, should be available for the Fiesta Bowl.