'08 Surprise: TCU Positioned Itself With Strategic Losses

(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

In 2008, TCU was rightfully overshadowed by Utah, a team that went undefeated and finished ranked number two in the AP poll.

This was a major step that all non-BCS schools can be grateful for; it was another battering on the door of the rich house.

But TCU accomplished something that in some respects could be considered even more surprising and perhaps equally advantageous to the have-nots of college football. What was TCU’S groundbreaking accomplishment? 

Despite starting the season unranked and suffering from two losses, TCU finished seventh in the final AP poll. No team—not even a squad in one of the big six conferences—has even come close to finishing so high with two losses. 

TCU could not have accomplished this without victories over teams that were undefeated and ranked No. 9 at the time.

Those teams were Brigham Young and Boise State. TCU and all college fans owe Boise State and the WAC some gratitude for rearranging things to allow TCU and Boise State to meet in Southern California. Ball State, which turned down an invitation to meet an undefeated Boise State, should learn by Boise's example.

Before the bowls kicked off, most writers had the TCU-Boise State game as one of the top five interesting bowl match-ups

Incredibly, TCU’s two losses to Oklahoma and Utah did almost elevated the Horned Frogs' position just as much as their key victories. Many stars were aligned right for TCU to be able to achieve their high final ranking. There was good timing, luck, and good play of course, but there were also some important events that displayed a change in thinking in the way the voters voted. 

In fact, if TCU’s progress was plotted on a chart and compared to similar teams, it would reveal some remarkable aberrations.

TCU was way off the radar when the season started. Four quick victories—including one over Stanford—saw Gary Patterson’s squad jump just inside the Top 25 going into their game against OU in Norman.

TCU got smacked early and a lopsided defeat got them knocked back down to No. 32. 

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