FIESTA BOWL:  Boise State vs TCU; Janaury 4, 2010; University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, AZ; 8PM Eastern; FOX

The first BCS Bowl Game, with two oppponents not members of BCS automatic-qualifying conferences, should be a classic confrontation between  the most dominant non-BCS programs of the decade…..the Boise State Broncos and the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs (TCU).

Both Boise State and TCU contain very productive offenses, and, tough slobber-knocking defenses.  Although the two schools may not belong to the more affluent BCS conferences….the 2010 Fiesta Bowl will be one of the best bowl games to close out the 2009 season….

BOISE STATE:

The Broncos (13-0, 8-0 WAC) led the nation in scoring, and the main reason why was QB Kellen Moore (photo, top, thanks Scout.com), who threw for over 3300 yards and a sick 39-3 TD-INT ratio….good enough to lead all FBS QBs in passing efficiency.  Moore’s main targets are WRs Austin Pettis (photo, right, thanks Zimbio.com) (850 rec. yards, 14 TDs) and Titus Young (969 rec yards, 10 TDs).  The BSU ground game was also productive, led by RBs Jeremy Avery (1130 yards rushing, 6 TDs) and Doug Martin (723 yards rushing, 14 TDs).

On defense, the Broncos are led by All-WAC DE Ryan Winterswyk and CB Kyle Wilson.  Many college football fans got a taste of how good the defense can be  in the season opener, which the Broncos shut down Oregon….limiting their high-scoring offense to 8 points, and, held the Ducks without a first down until midway through the third quarter.  The special-teams are solid, too, with PK Kyle Brotzman as one of the top scorers in the nation….and WR Young, CB Wilson as the top kickoff and punt returners, respectively, in the nation.

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TCU

The Horned Frogs (12-0, 8-0 MWC)are led on offense by MWC Player of the Year, QB Andy Dalton (photo, left,thanks Zimbio.com), who threw for for nearly 2500 yards and 22 TDs, while rushing for 522 yards and 3 rushing TDs.  Dalton’s main targets are Jeremy Kerley (467 rec yards, 2 TDs), Jimmy Young (449 rec yards, 3 TDs), and Antoine Hicks (22.8 yds per catch, 6 TDs).  The ground game is also talented and balanced, led by Joseph Turner (732 rushing yards, 11 TDs), Matthew Tucker (667 rushing yards, 8 TDs), and Ed Wesley (630 rushing yards, 4 TDs).

TCU possessess one of the best defenses in the nation….surrendering only 149 points in 12 games in 2009.  Led by Hendricks Award winning (top defensive end) DE Jerry Hughes (photo, right,thanks Scout.com), who was one of the top QB sackers in the nation, with 11 QB sacks.   In their 8 MWC conference games, TCU gave up 20 or more points just twice….and held the remainder of their conference foes to 12 points or under.  The Horned Frogs special teams are solid as well, and PK Ross Evans hit 14-17 FGs in 2009…scoring 102 points on the season….which led TCU in scoring.

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SOME COOL FACTS

Although they did not play each other in 2009, Boise State and TCU did meet in last year’s Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego, with the Horned Frogs winning 17-16.  Although the score was close, TCU’s defense held BSU to under 300 yards total offense in the game….something few teams have been unable to do since Boise State joined the WAC in 2001.

Boise State and TCU both will earn approximately $17 million each for playing in the Fiesta Bowl….a big chunk of money for the schools.  However, both the WAC and MWC split up bowl revenues, so, the big payday will be spread among the members of both conferences.  With the Fiesta Bowl and other bowl tie-ins the two confereces have….the WAC and MWC stand to bring in nearly $20 million from bowl revenues this season.  Without the Fiesta Bowl windfall….the WAC and MWC would have only taken in less than $2.5 milion from their bowl paydays.

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PREDICTION

The safest bet is that…..everyone will be treated to an exciting game….and both Boise State and TCU will take this game very seriously (unlike some other programs who consider anything less than the National Championship game as a downer).  College football fans who are not familiar with the two programs are going to be surprised at how talented both teams are….and how well-coached.

Both teams are evenly matched, and, you are guaranteed a close game.  Although TCU may be the more athletic of the two….Boise State has played in a BCS bowl game before…and knows what it takes to win on the big stage.

FINAL SCORE:  Boise State  17   TCU  16

Related posts:

1. Fiesta Bowl Preview: Longhorn angst or Buckeyes break streak?
2. POINSETTIA BOWL PREVIEW
3. SUGAR BOWL PREVIEW
4. EA Sports won’t let Oklahoma forget the Fiesta Bowl
5. 2009 WAC ALL-FANTASY TEAM

Tags: Andy Dalton, Austin Pettis, Blue Turf, Boise State, Fiesta Bowl, Horned Frogs, Jerry Hughes, Kellen Moore, TCU