BCS Rankings 2010: Breaking Down an Oregon vs. TCU National Championship
The BCS rankings have the Oregon Ducks sitting pretty at the No. 1 spot this week, and TCU is close behind at No. 3.
Although the Auburn Tigers appear poised to finish the season strong with Cam Newton at the helm, funnier things have happened in college football.
If Auburn suddenly falls out of the rankings, then we just might be able to see a non-BCS team make it to the national championship game this season.
With two extremely high-scoring offenses facing each other, this could potentially turn out to be a tremendous offensive showdown.
Here's a breakdown of what the future could have in store: TCU vs. Oregon for the national title.
TCU Horned Frogs: How They Can Get To The BCS Champtionship
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The Horned Frogs are currently ranked No. 3 on the BCS rankings.
In order to get to the big game, they need to win out their schedule, which includes a big MWC conference game against the Utah Utes.
They'll also need some help and hope that both Auburn and Boise State take some losses before they finish their season.
A Boise State loss this season will certainly distinguish an undefeated TCU as the best non-BCS team in the nation. And more than likely, if Auburn loses two games this season, TCU will jump right in and earn themselves a spot in the championships.
Oregon Ducks: How They Can Get to The BCS Championship
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If the Ducks win out their schedule, they're going to the BCS championships.
It's that simple.
They're sitting at the No. 1 spot in the BCS rankings, and they're in control.
All they need to do, in order to secure a shot at the championship game, is to win.
They still need to play top-ranked Arizona and interstate rivals Oregon State in the Civil War this season.
TCU Horned Frogs, QB: Andy Dalton
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The Horned Frogs offense is led by the senior Andy Dalton.
The four-year starter is having his best year in throwing the football. Dalton has completed a career-best 65.9 percent of his passes, 143-of-217 passes for 1,887 passing yards and 16 touchdowns.
Dalton has also found the end zone five times, with over 400 rushing yards as a runner.
With plenty of offensive weapons in this team, Dalton's leadership and experience could be a difference maker if Texas Christian plays Oregon.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Oregon Ducks, Quarterback: Darron Thomas
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Despite concerns about the offseason loss of Jeremiah Masoli and the early season uncertainty at who is going to start at the quarterback position, the Ducks went with Thomas and they have kept on rolling.
Thomas is thriving as the guy standing behind center in this team. But, he's just another key cog in this high-powered offense.
He gives defenses fits because of his ability to run with the football.
The sophomore has completed 128-of-211 passes for 1,827 passing yards and 21 touchdowns. Thomas has also rushed for 311 yards and two touchdowns.
TCU Horned Frogs, Running Game: Wesley and Tucker
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Dalton is a solid quarterback and very important part of the team, but this squad has a very balanced attack.
On the ground, TCU has a potent combination of runners in Ed Wesley and Matthew Tucker.
Tucker has collected 478 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, while Wesley is the top rusher with 938 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
Oregon Ducks, Running Back: LaMichael James
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TCU may have two potent backs, but in Oregon, they have one of the best in college football.
James is a Heisman contender, the sophomore has totaled 170 carries, 1,210 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
What's even more impressive for James is that he sat out the first game of the season. He has tallied three games with over 200 rushing yards this season.
Against Pac-10 rivals and top-ranked Stanford, James ran for 257 yards and three touchdowns.
He's been the ultimate workhorse in the Oregon backfield and has shown no signs of getting tired even later in games.
TCU Horned Frogs, Receivers: Kerley and Boyce
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Once again, just like in their running game, there is balance among their receivers.
Their top two pass catchers are senior Jeremy Kerley and freshman Josh Boyce.
Kerley leads the receivers in touchdowns scored with seven and 364 receiving yards and Boyce is the leader in receiving yards with 395 and four scores.
Oregon Ducks, Receiver: Jeff Maehl
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Jeff Maehl is, by far, the No. 1 receiver on this team. He leads the squad with 47 catches, 675 yards and nine touchdowns.
Those nine touchdowns have come in the senior's last six games. His best game of the year came against USC when he totaled 145 receiving yards and three touchdowns.
No one else comes close to Maehl in terms of touchdown production catching the football. David Paulson and Josh Huff have three TDs each.
TCU Horned Frogs: The Defense
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They have pitched two shutouts and have limited opponents to ten points or less seven different times this season. Wayne Daniels is a very good player and an anchor at defensive end.
But, they also allowed 21 points to Pac-10's Oregon State in the opening weekend of the season.
With the shortage of quality opponents in their schedule, their strong defensive numbers could be somewhat misleading.
It won't be until the Horned Frogs play the Utes on Saturday, November 6 that we can get a better gauge on the strength of this defense.
Oregon Ducks: The Defense
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After eight games, the defense has allowed an average of 17.9 points. However, that's a little misleading because they've shut out two cupcakes in New Mexico, 72-0, and Portland State, 69-0.
A quick glance at their schedule reveals that they've had a harder time playing defense during their in-conference matches.
Pac-10 rivals Arizona State, Stanford and USC have each scored over 30 points against them.
If there's a weakness in this team, it clearly lies in their defense.
TCU Horned Frogs: Head Coach
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Gary Patterson is the 2009 AP Coach of the Year and one of the best coaches in TCU history.
His team is coming off of a 2009 season in which they just missed out on breaking into the national championship game.
Although they lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl last season, TCU will definitely want to improve on falling just short last year.
With Patterson as coach, he will preach the importance of defense and this squad will be more prepared than ever.
Oregon Ducks: Head Coach
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Chip Kelly's team is the highest scoring team in the country, with nearly 55 points a game on average.
In his first season as head coach last year, Kelly led the Ducks to a 10-3 record, losing only one game in the Pac-10.
However, their potent offense was trumped by the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl last season.
This season, his reputation as a strong offensive mind is gaining even more notice, as the Ducks have run off with a perfect 8-0 record so far.
It will be Kelly's offensive savvy versus the defensive mind of TCU's Patterson going head-to-head in this potential national championship match.
TCU Horned Frogs: How They Can Win
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They need to play defense and never get tired. Because when you play the Oregon Ducks, defenses tend to get tired.
While most teams have been able to keep up with the Ducks at the end of the first half, Oregon usually takes it up another notch in the second half of football games.
As a result of fatigue, opponents just can't stop Oregon from scoring at will.
TCU needs to find a way to slow down the Ducks on the defensive end and, on the offensive end, dominate the ball possession in order to limit the touches of LaMichael James and Darron Thomas.
Oregon Ducks: How They Can Win
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The Ducks need to keep doing what they do best. Score.
As long as their offense is running up-tempo as usual, they'll have no problems.
This should be their game to lose, and they need to be ready for their opponents. TCU will have plenty to prove in this matchup, and Oregon should be prepared to take them seriously.
If TCU finds a way to slow them down with strong defense, then the Ducks could be in store for a big upset.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
