TCU Vies for Respect, National Championship in 2011 Rose Bowl

The No. 3 ranked TCU Horned Frogs have never gotten the respect they deserve, despite finishing the regular season with an unblemished record.  

Vegas oddsmakers are giving the Horned Frogs respect though.

The latest college football odds for this bowl game as posted by BetPhoenix have the Horned Frogs listed as three point favorites over the Wisconsin Badgers in the 2011 Rose Bowl.  

With a convincing victory over the Badgers, the Horned Frogs can make a case for a piece of the BCS National Championship. 

The Badgers have other plans.

Wisconsin is one of the country's hottest teams, playing some of its best football heading into this game. The Badgers finished the season on a 7-game winning streak, winning by an average 26 points per game. The game plan is simple:  power formation and running the ball right at the opponent.

The Badgers will send a trio of talented runners right at TCU. John Clay, James White and Montee Ball anchor a running attack with six All-Big Ten offensive linemen up front.

The Horned Frogs counter with a defense of NFL-caliber stock that leads the country in several key defensive stats.

The TCU defense led the nation in total yards allowed at 215.4 per game for the third straight season.  The Horned Frogs also ranked first in points allowed (11.4 points per game), passing (126.3 yards per game), fewest first downs allowed (11.3 per game), opponent third-down percentage (21.9 percent) and three-and-outs forced (6.4 per game). 

The Horned Frogs specialize in run defense, allowing only 89.2 rushing yards per game and third fewest in the country.  Linebacker Tanner Brock had 97 tackles on the year and should be busy during the Rose Bowl.

Aside from its defense, TCU boasts a potent offense led by Mountain West Conference Player of the Year Andy Dalton at quarterback. He has thrown for 2,638 yards, 26 touchdowns, 481 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground this season. Dalton could provide a challenge for the Badgers, who ranked 25th in pass defense.

Although Wisconsin played a tougher schedule, the Horned Frogs are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as a favorite of 0.5-3.0 and 4-1 ATS in their last five games as a favorite. In other words, TCU wins and covers Vegas odds in games that fall into today’s number.

The Horned Frogs have talent and experience that could account for some big plays to win this game. If TCU gets the victory, let the debate over the National Championship begin.

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].