Poinsettia Bowl: A Non-BCS Showdown Between Boise State and TCU

#9 Boise State (12-0) vs. #11 TCU (10-2)

Tonight, 6 P.M. (MT), ESPN

Announcers:  Reece Davis, Mark May, Lou Holtz, Todd Harris

San Diego, CA, Qualcomm Stadium

Last Five Bowl Games

Boise State:  2-3 (7th straight Bowl appearance)

TCU:  4-1 (Last loss in a Bowl game was to Boise State in the '03 Fort Worth Bowl)

Players To Watch

Boise State:  Kellen Moore, Quarterback

The Broncos redshirt Freshman Quarterback has been terrific in his first season at the helm of the high-octane Bronco offense.  Moore has thrown for 3,264 yards, 25 Touchdowns, and only nine interceptions.  Moore hasn't seen a defense like the Horned Frogs D this season.  This will be his toughest test yet, and if he plays well expect even more big things from Moore for years to come.

TCU:  Daryl Washington, Linebacker

With the Frogs vocal leader in Robert Henson ineligible in tonight's game due to academics, Washington's role on the defense will be more significant.  Washington had 57 tackles this season alongside Henson and MLB Jason Phillips, both potential NFL players.  Washington is a better player in coverage than Henson.  It will be interesting to see how he does.

PREVIEW

TCU and Boise State are two of the best "Non-BCS" programs in the country, and with the Vegas Bowl taking BYU over the Horned Frogs it set up this very good matchup between the Frogs and Broncos.

TCU and Boise State met in a bowl game already before, back in the 2003 Fort Worth Bowl where Boise State edged out the Frogs on their home field, Ammon G. Carter Stadium; led by Quarterback Ryan Dinwiddie who under his reign as QB put Boise Football on the map.

Five years later, these two programs are still playing at a high level.  TCU has the talented defense led by Defensive End Jerry Hughes who has had an NCAA leading 15.5 sacks this season.  Many "experts" consider Hughes to be a 1st Round NFL Draft pick.

Boise State has the high-octane offense that started out somewhat slow this year but has picked up late in the year, scoring over 40 points in the last five games.  Including a 61-point outing on WAC foe, Fresno State.

Its bound to be one of the better bowl matchups in this year's bowl season, and a showcase game for Non-BCS programs, which is always good to see for once.  Tired of seeing all the attention go towards the overrated SEC.

This is a tough game to call, so I'm going with a gut feeling on this one.  Boise State wins this, in a close one.  TCU's offense does not finish drives and they struggle in the Red Zone.  Prime Example, their game against Utah one month ago.

Yeah the old saying goes, Defense Wins Championships but in College Football now-a-days you need to be able to score as well.  TCU won't be able to score enough to down the Broncos.  The TCU D will keep them in it, but it won't be enough, as Boise gets their first win since the unforgettable 2007 Fiesta Bowl win over Oklahoma.

Prediction

Boise State 31 TCU 24

Excitement Level For This Game (1 to 5):  5

Gunaxin Bowl Coverage of the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl