UNLV vs. TCU: Latest Spread Info, BCS Impact and Predictions

The TCU Horned Frogs are one win over UNLV away from claiming the Mountain West Conference title.

Things are stacked in Horned Frogs' favor in this game, but their BCS hopes are hanging on by a thread.

A dominant win here will help, but they'll then need help from friends in higher places.

"The Rebels are having a terrible year out in Las Vegas, but as the saying goes, "Any given Sun..." Well, Saturday in this case. "Any given Saturday"

Where: Amon Carter Stadium; Forth Worth, Texas

When: Saturday, Dec. 3 at 2:30 p.m. EST

Watch: Versus

Spread: TCU -39

Sure, 39 points looks like a mountain to cover, but the Horned Frogs have already covered a spread that large and then some.

They also have added incentive this week because they need to dominate to have any chance at moving up in the polls.

Playing UNLV and winning may actually hurt them more than it helps.

They need to cover.

Over/Under: 56.5

If the Horned Frogs are aiming to cover a 39-point spread, and they are, add style points on top and the over is going down with it.

TCU needs a monster win.

Key Injuries

Caleb Herring, QB, UNLV - Questionable

BCS Implications

This is where things get really interesting with a seemingly meaningless game. According to ESPN's Jeff Caplan the Horned Frogs still have a shot at BCS bowl:

"

Here's the three-step process that must happen for TCU to seal a third consecutive BCS berth: 

1. Houston must lose to Southern Miss—which seemingly killed its BCS dreams with an awful loss to UAB two weeks ago. 
2. TCU must beat UNLV (2-9) to win the Mountain West Conference title outright and do so in an overpowering way to make gains with voters (playing UNLV could actually hurt TCU in the computers, just see its 34-10 win over Colorado State that dropped it from No. 19 to 20). 
3. TCU must move up two spots to No. 16 in the BCS rankings released next Sunday night. 

"

Utter madness, I know, but it is possible.

The voters and computers would have to be awfully kind to Gary Patterson's squad to make it happen though.

Key to UNLV Win

Golly, is there one? The Rebels are one of the worst offenses in the country and average only 283 yards per game (114th in the nation).

They also only score 18 points per game.

The key to an upset is hoping for some damn fine luck and making the most of any TCU mistakes. That doesn't happen often and if the Rebels are without their quarterback there is almost no hope at all.

Key to TCU Win

This isn't about winning; it is about dominating.

TCU can score points and their defense doesn't allow points.

The Horned Frogs are thinking about one thing and one thing only: dominating.

This team is excited about an Mountain West Conference title, but wants in that BCS game.

Prediction: TCU 59, UNLV3