TCU: "Totally Confused University" in the Fiesta Bowl

Tonight was TCU’s grand dance on the big stage. They came in as favorites and their fans were still agonizing that they didn’t get a shot at BCS Championship Game.

But in the first half of tonight’s game, TCU stood for Totally Confused University. Except for one long pass, they looked like deer in the headlights on offense, and a nation was left wondering where that big running game was.

Boise State was supposed to have a fine offense and an iffy defense, but against the mild attack of TCU, they looked like the famed Steel Curtain. Maybe TCU stood for Totally Clueless University.

In the first half, the Horn frogs gave up an interception that cost them a touchdown, and only Boise State’s inability to finish drives kept things close at the half.

It was so embarrassing for TCU in the first half, that one Boise State receiver, Titus Young had more yardage alone than the whole TCU offense put together.

What all the viewers saw, not dressed either TCU or Boise State colors, was that it was painfully obvious that neither team deserved to be in the national title game where such play would have gotten them buried deep by halftime.

More sloppy play, this time courtesy of Boise State by fumbling, did set up TCU for the tying touchdown with less than four minutes left in the third quarter.

With 21 seconds left in the third, TCU almost returned the favor of the fumble with an interception of their own, but replay gave them the ball back and they punted away to start the forth quarter tied 10-10.

After a few swapped punts and a some sputters from each offense, TCU, who had simply given up on their vaunted running game, threw yet another interception that replay couldn't give them back.

Boise faked a punt to get them a much needed first down and then eventually scored their first offensive touchdown of the game and took a 17-10 lead.

TCU responded with a dismal three and out with three passing plays. With only seven minutes and small change left, all Boise State had to do was get one more score to salt it away.

Instead they did yet another three and out and TCU got a good return to set them at the Boise 31 yard line with five and half minutes left, but the ineptitude of TCU to exploit it proved to be their undoing. First, a long pass that should have been a score was dropped, then a sack, followed by a short pass.

On forth and six, this supposed pounding running team, threw yet another interception and turned the ball over.

Once again all Boise State had to do was get a few first downs and kill the clock as TCU only had two timeouts remaining.

This time Boise converted a third down and kept the clock running and the ball in bounds. But one conversion was all they could manage and with 1:16 Boise State's best play of the night was a punt that was downed at the one foot line.

TCU was left with little hope, 1:06 on the clock, and 99 yards to go.

A few short passes and an interference penalty got the ball to the Boise 49 with 36 seconds left and no time outs. TCU quarterback, Andy Dalton, got another completion before showing why TCU never deserved a shot at the BCS Championship game with their third interception.

In a sloppy Fiesta Bowl, the nation saw that neither team deserved the "Big Shot" in the big game, but for Boise State, revenge was sweet. TCU beat them the last time they met, and a BCS Bowl win will always help with recruiting, so there certainly was a lot to play for and win.

To sum up the performances, even the winning offensive player of the game, Kyle Efaw, when asked if they deserved to be champions said, "NO. Probably not."

In a game where both offenses were supposed to be the key, the Boise State defense stole the show and game.