TCU vs. Boise State Fiesta Bowl 2010 Preview & Prediction

2010 Fiesta Bowl Line: Boise State Broncos (55) vs. TCU Horned Frogs (-7)

In one of the most unique matchups in bowl history, a pair of undefeated squads will meet in a postseason contest without a national title at stake. Boise State and TCU will square off at the Fiesta Bowl on January 4th in Glendale, Arizona. It will be a bowl rematch for the two schools. TCU edged Boise State by a final of 17-16 in last year’s Poinsettia Bowl.

Boise State (13-0 SU, 8-5 ATS)

The 6th-ranked Broncos only defeat of the last two seasons came against TCU a year ago. Boise State will bring the top scoring offense in the nation to the desert. During the regular season, the Broncos scored more than 40 points on ten occasions. Sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore leads the nation in quarterback rating after a remarkable regular season. He has fired 39 touchdown passes with only three interceptions in 2009. Junior wideouts Titus Young and Austin Pettis form one of the top receiving duos in the country. The pair combined to grab 133 receptions with 24 touchdowns during the regular season. Pettis is questionable for the game due to an ankle injury.

The offense can also move the ball on the ground. Junior Jeremy Avery has rushed for over 1,100 yards entering this bowl matchup. The Broncos are a capable squad on the other side of the ball as well. Boise State is in the top 15 nationally in total, scoring and passing defense. Junior defensive end Ryan Winterswyk is second in the Western Athletic conference in sacks with 8.5.

Boise’s defense has forced 32 turnovers to help the club rank second in the country in turnover margin at plus 19. Chris Peterson is finishing up his fourth season as the head coach of the Broncos. He has guided the school to a 48-4 record with three undefeated regular seasons.

TCU (12-0 SU, 8-4 ATS)

The 3rd-ranked Horned Frogs are also an outstanding squad on both sides of the ball. On offense, TCU is in the top 5 in the country in total, scoring and rushing offense. Junior signal-caller Andy Dalton is a versatile player for TCU and he has passed for 22 touchdowns while gaining over 500 yards on the ground.

The Horned Frogs have plenty of depth at running back. Three TCU backs have gained over 600 yards this season. The Horned Frogs will counter Boise’s high-octane offense with one of the top defenses in the nation. TCU’s stop unit leads the country in total defense while ranking in the top 6 nationally in scoring, passing and rushing defense. Defensive lineman Jerry Hughes led the Mountain West conference in sacks during the regular season with 11.5. TCU can also strike on special teams.

The Horned Frogs lead the country in kickoff return average. Junior Jeremy Kerley leads the conference in kick and punt return average. Gary Patterson is in his ninth season as the head coach at TCU. He has posted a record of 85-27 with the school.

Boise State vs. TCU Fiesta Bowl Score Prediction:


TCU 27- Boise State 24

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