This week's profile, following the rule of selecting the highest ranked team I have not yet profiled, is the TCU horned Frogs.

BCS Race:

TCU is in the thick of the race for the single spot guaranteed for the highest ranked non-automatic qualifying team.  A win over Utah this week would clear the way for TCU's first BCS berth.

It should be noted that in 2005 (TCU's first year in the MWC) that if the current rules were in place TCU would have earned an automatic qualification for a BCS berth then, one year before the current rules were instituted.

With a Cincinnati loss, TCU would become the leading candidate for the national championship game in the event that two of the top three should fall.

TCU stats next:

Offense:

TCU is tied for #8 in yards per game at 458.56 and is #7 in scoring offense at 37.44 points per game.  They are tied for #7 in the Red Zone at 90%.

TCU is #6 in rushing yards per game at 242.11 and #66  with 216.44 passing yards per game.

Junior QB Andy Dalton is #4 in passing efficiency at 162..71, #46 in total passing yards at 1881 and #49 in passing yards per game at 209.00.  He is #31 in total yards per game at 246.89 an #35 in points responsible for at 12 per game.

WR Jeremy Kerley is #1 in all purpose running at 133.33 yards per game, mostly on kick returns.  He is #8 in punt returns, averaging 15.48 yards per return and #15 in kickoff returns with 28.93 yards per return.

Defense:

TCU is #3 in total yards allowed at 240.56 and #11 in scoring defense allowing 11.22 points per game.  They are #7 in the Red Zone allowing opponents to score only 71% of the time. 

TCU is #7 in rushing defense allowing only 89.67 rushing yards per game and #4 in passing yards per game allowing only 150.89 yards per game.

Jerry Hughes is tied for #8 averaging 1 sack per game.

Other:

Kicker Ross Evans is responsible for 8.11 points per game, earning a #29 ranking.  Most of those are PAT attempts.  He is tied for #39 in Field Goals at 1.22 per game.

TCU is tied for #42 in turnover margin, averaging +0.33 turnovers per game.  They are #14 in time of possession with 32.26 minutes per game.

Prospectus:

TCU faces their toughest remaining test this week when they host #16 Utah. With a win here the BCS should be clearly in sight. With some help clearing out the top three a spot in the NCG might, but doubtfully, open up.

Even with a loss this week they would be close to Utah and a Boise State loss would open up a door for either TCU or Utah to go to the BCS.  That would likely depend on whether Utah is able to take on BYU in Provo.

TCU is a tough opponent with many options and the ability to use them all to great consequence.  No one player stands out, but as a unit they rise to the top.