TCU Horned Frogs-Utah Utes: Will Winner Play for BCS Championship?

This week, the No. 5 Utah Utes will battle the No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs, and it is very realistic that the winner of that game could play for the BCS Championship.

The latest college football odds as posted by online sportsbook BetMania have TCU listed as six-point favorites. This game could be one of the more important games of the season and could drastically change the landscape of the National Championship game.

Big Win

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Eddie Wide #36 of the Utah Utes is tackled by Jerry Hughes #98 of the TCU Horned Frogs during the second half of the game at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU won the game 55-28. (Photo by

The Bowl Championship Series (BCS) may have created a monster.

Last week, after a win over Air Force and losses by several higher ranked teams, Utah was moved up in the BCS Standings and awarded with the No. 5 spot. That makes this game very important and would be a bright spot on the resume of either team. 

Auburn had a win over then sixth ranked LSU, but no other team in the top three would be able to say they had a win the top five. This, of course, would not be automatic and plenty of other things would have to happen.

TCU Horned Frogs

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FORT WORTH, TX - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Andy Dalton #14 of the TCU Horned Frogs carries the ball against defensive back Anthony Wright Jr. #5 of the Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Fort Worth, Texas. TCU beat Air Forc

If they were to beat Utah, TCU would still have to run the table to remain undefeated.

While anything can happen in college football, it seems highly unlikely that TCU would lose to San Diego State or New Mexico. That would mean a win against Utah would make the Horned Frogs one of only a handful of teams that could end the season undefeated; they would demand a shot at the title.

Utah Utes

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FORT WORTH, TX - NOVEMBER 14: Quarterback Jordan Wynn #3 of the Utah Utes reacts in the second quarter of the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium on November 14, 2009 in Fort Worth, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

If Utah were able to pull off the upset and beat TCU, their road to staying unbeaten is not as easy.

The Utes would have to avoid letdown as they head to South Bend to take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and they still have to play the big rivalry game at the end of the year against BYU. An undefeated campaign through this schedule would be worthy of a shot at the BCS Championship.

Auburn Tigers

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AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 23: Quarterback Cameron Newton #2 of the Auburn Tigers is tackled by Kendrick Adams #37 of the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The teams above them would have to lose; that means Auburn will have to lose to Alabama.

This is not a far-fetched idea as Alabama is a worthy opponent. The game is on the road and is the only real threat to Auburn. They should take care of Chattanooga and Georgia to wind down the schedule.

Oregon Ducks

Harry How/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 30: LaMichael James #21 of the Oregon Ducks carries the ball against the USC Trojans during the first quarter at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 30, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Oregon just received the jinx of grabbing the No. 1 spots in the BCS standings. They should tear through a Washington team without Jake Locker, but it is very possible that they could struggle with the remaining schedule.

Arizona is a ranked team that is competitive, and the last game of the season against Oregon State (dubbed the “Civil War”) is always a tough battle.

Boise State

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BOISE, ID - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Kellen Moore #11 of the Boise State Broncos looks for a receiver against the Oregon State Beaversat Bronco Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Boise, Idaho. (Photo by Otto Kitsinger III/Getty Images)

Boise State seems to be the victim of this BCS system.

They fought for years to finally get some respect in the polls, and were finally rewarded with the highest ranking they have ever had. Then they started to slow down in the polls week after week, even though they kept putting up impressive wins.

The only team for Boise State even worth a look on the schedule is Nevada, and that would hardly be a win to brag about. Boise will get passed up by the winner of this game.

Will the BCS Do It?

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PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 07: The BCS National Championship trophy which was won by the Alabama Crimson Tide after winning the Citi BCS National Championship game over the Texas Longhorns at the Rose Bowl on January 7, 2010 in Pasadena, California. The Crim

When it comes to the BCS standings, always expect the unexpected. There are plenty of questions still surrounding this scenario.

What if one of the teams does happen to go undefeated? Would the BCS rankings rank an undefeated TCU, or Utah over a one loss Auburn or Oregon?

Only time will tell how it will all work out, but this will be a very interesting ending to another great football season.

Matt Regaw is a B/R Featured Columnist and the founder of BookieBlitz.com, your one-stop shop for sports articles, previews, and predictions. Feel free to contact Matt at [e-mail]

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