The Frogs (8-0, 4-0) stood pat in the BCS rankings after this weekend’s 41-0 drubbing of UNLV, but moved up in both the AP and USA Today polls.
While staying at No. 6 in the BCS, the Frogs jumped from the No. 8 spot to No.6 in the AP rankings, though still behind No. 5 Boise State.
In the USA Today poll, however, the Frogs jumped from No. 6 to No. 4, and are ahead of the No. 5 Broncos.
After the game, head coach Gary Patterson spoke about the team’s performances and what he did and did not like.
“I thought we had more energy coming into this ball game than we did against Colorado State,” Patterson said. “We talked about starting fast. I told them that if you want to win a championship, you’ve got to get on a roll.”
Patterson said he was happy that the big win allowed him to put a lot of the younger players in game situations, but was not so thrilled about the team’s two turnovers early in the first quarter.
“We had some penalties, and we turned the ball over,” Patterson said. “We’ve got to get out of this trend at home.”
TCU amassed 578 total yards on offense, including 390 on the ground, compared to 160 total yards for UNLV.
The Frogs had four players rush for more than 50 yards on the day. Freshman tailback Ed Wesley led the way with 86 yards on seven carries, including a 59-yard run for the Frogs’ only rushing touchdown.
Junior quarterback Andy Dalton passed for 178 yards and three touchdowns without throwing a pick.
After the game, players were quick to downplay the BCS and focus on the next game at hand.
Senior tailback Joseph Turner said he’s looking forward to Saturday’s tilt at San Diego State at 3 p.m. because of his previous history at Qualcomm Stadium.
“I had a good game there my sophomore year then I scored the game winning touchdown there in the bowl game last year,” Turner said. “I don’t know why I feel so comfortable there … maybe it’s because (LaDainian Tomlinson) plays there.”
Sophomore receiver Antoine Hicks said the Frogs’ goal on the season is clear.
“We are taking things one-by-one,” he said. “Our main focus is to get a Mountain West Conference Championship.”
