BSU Prepares To Face Best Team in the Country at Fiesta Bowl

TCU trailed Clemson 10-7 in the fourth quarter when the Frogs wide receiver Antoine Hicks caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Andy Dalton to seal the win.

Following the game, the east coast sportswriters and "talking heads" attempted to sell listeners and readers that the Frogs' win as a "fluke."

They said Hicks had made a "lucky catch" of the touchdown pass.

There is no such thing as a "lucky catch" in college football, and there was nothing "lucky" about that catch.

It was spectacular.

TCU is No. 4 in the latest BCS rankings, but they should be No. 1 and playing for the national title.

Sure, Alabama and Texas are ranked ahead of the Horned Frogs but there are many who strongly believe TCU would beat both teams head to head, and you can count Boise State among the believers.

This is a football team that dominated their schedule, averaging over 40 points per game while allowing only 12. That's a four touchdown per game average winning margin.

TCU has won seven of its last 10 road games against BCS conference opponents, including two wins this season over Clemson and Virginia.

Seven TCU players—yes, seven—have been named to this year's All-American teams including lead by consensus All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes.

TCU doesn't lack talent on either side of the ball.

Both Boise State and TCU will be out to gain some national respect as both feel that they don't get the respect they deserve.

A victory in the Fiesta Bowl by either team will vault the winner to near the top of next year's preseason polls. Boise State will return 21 of the 22 starters in this year's bowl game while TCU will return 16 next year.

Boise State has a lot to prove in this year's Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 4 in Glendale, Arizona, against the TCU Horned Frogs.

Are the Broncos worthy of their No. 6 BCS ranking?

Does BSU have what it takes to beat the top team in the country?

Can Boise State put together a game plan that will beat the nation's best football team?

The only thing that may hamper TCU’s effort is Texas’ last second win over Nebraska in the Big 12 championship game—a game that cost TCU a potential national championship game invitation.

Will the Horned Frogs be down about not getting the chance to take on Alabama for all the marbles?

Will TCU have that "killer instinct" that lead them to an undefeated season?

After last year's 17-16 Poinsettia Bowl loss to TCU, the Broncos have revenge on their minds, which may be BSU's greatest motivator.

Lack of incentive or motivation will not be an issue for Boise State.

What may be an issue are the injuries BSU has sustained during the season. Boise State is one of the nation's most injured teams heading into the Fiesta Bowl.

Nine BSU players have been lost to injuries including six players with torn ACLs.

The injury bug jumped up and bit the Broncos yet again during Fiesta Bowl practices. Starting offensive tackle Garrett Pendergast was lost for the season when he suffered a broken leg a week ago.

Pendergast will be replaced at right tackle by either freshman Michael Ames or junior Matt Slater. Ames was the season opening starter at right tackle for the Broncos, and Slater was the starter at left tackle.

There is some good news on the injury front. The Broncos could have two of their three starting receivers back in the lineup by Fiesta Bowl kickoff. Both Austin Pettis and Tyler Shoemaker will be game time decisions.

While BSU reports nine injuries heading into the bowl game TCU reports none. Clearly, the Horned Frogs are the healthier team.

Boise State head coach Chris Petersen is regarded as not only one of America's greatest coaches but one of the very best when given extra time to prepare for an opponent.

After preparing during the four week fall camp, BSU dominated an outstanding Oregon team in the first game of the season. Petersen had put together an outstanding game plan for the Ducks that resulted in a huge win for the Broncos' program.

You can trust that Petersen will have a solid game in place and will have his Broncos motivated and confident come kickoff time at the Fiesta Bowl.

But as good as Boise State was against the Pac-10 champion Ducks, they will have to play even better to beat the Horned Frogs of TCU.

After all, TCU is the best team in the country this year.