Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009

TCU passes BSU in BCS standings

The Broncos fall three spots to seventh in the BCS standings, while the Horned Frogs jump to sixth.

By BY CHADD CRIPE

HONOLULU - Don't panic yet, Broncos fans.

TCU jumped the Boise State football team Sunday in the Bowl Championship Series standings, but that could change several times in the coming weeks, BCS analyst Jerry Palm said.

In the end, Palm said, the BCS standings will look much like the human polls - and the Broncos remain ahead in those.

TCU is No. 6 in the BCS - up two spots from last week. Boise State is No. 7, down three spots.

"I think you'll see the five teams behind (No. 3) Texas shuffle around for a few weeks as long as they continue to win," Palm said. "... The most important thing is the poll numbers."

The Broncos (7-0) remained fifth in the USA Today Coaches' Poll and Harris poll, the human polls that form two-thirds of the BCS. The Broncos also stayed at No. 6 in The Associated Press Top 25, which doesn't count.

TCU (7-0) closed the gap in the polls and is No. 6 in the USA Today poll (21 points behind the Broncos) and No. 7 in the Harris poll (154 points behind the Broncos).

TCU beat BYU, which was in the Top 25, on Saturday. Boise State beat Hawaii, which is 2-5.

The big difference between the teams is that TCU jumped to fourth in the computer rankings that form one-third of the BCS. Boise State fell three spots to eighth.

Boise State and TCU could be competing for one spot in a BCS game. The BCS standings would determine the winner.

"If Boise State is undefeated, they are not going to be four spots behind TCU in the computers," Palm said. "... They'll be closer to one spot. One spot behind, the way the poll margin is now, is fine (for Boise State)."

The problem for the Broncos is that TCU still has a game remaining against No. 16 Utah. The Broncos' highest-ranked remaining foe is Idaho at No. 39.

Both teams have several remaining opponents ranked near the bottom of college football.

"Both teams are one 13-10 win over one of these sorry teams from dropping," Palm said.

The top BCS teams are Florida (7-0), Alabama (8-0), Texas (7-0), Iowa (8-0) and USC (6-1). Cincinnati (7-0) is the lowest-ranked unbeaten team at No. 8.

TURNOVER DROUGHT BECOMES FLOOD

The Broncos produced six turnovers Saturday night at Aloha Stadium to key their 54-9 dismantling of Hawaii.

Coaches had emphasized turnovers all week in practice after the Broncos went two straight games without one for the first time in eight years.

The offense converted the turnovers into 30 points, scoring after all six. Three of the turnovers put the offense inside the Hawaii 20-yard line.

"You can stress it in practice, but you can't really ask for them," said nickel Winston Venable, who had six tackles and a forced fumble. "You've got to make it happen."

KAISERMAN'S DEBUT

Freshman tailback Matt Kaiserman, who missed the first six games as he recovered from a concussion, made a fantastic college debut. He carried 23 times for 122 yards and a touchdown, including 11 straight carries on a fourth-quarter touchdown drive.

He is the fourth different Bronco to rush for 100 yards in a game this season.

The Skyview High graduate hadn't played in a competitive game in nearly three years because he grayshirted in 2007 and redshirted in 2008. He impressed mostly with his ability to break tackles.

"It's hard to describe exactly what I'm feeling right now. I don't think it's quite set in yet," he said. "I told myself, if anything, good, bad or ugly, to get my shoulders downhill and break some tackles and by no means to go down on first contact. And it happened that way."

COUGHLIN, MARTIN INJURED IN VICTORY

Backup quarterback Mike Coughlin (head) didn't play after entering for one play in the first half, an 8-yard keeper. That meant Moore had to finish the game because the only other quarterback is freshman Joe Southwick, who is redshirting.

Petersen doesn't expect Coughlin's injury to be a long-term problem.

Tailback Doug Martin (pulled a muscle in practice) was used for one rush attempt. He could have played more if necessary, Petersen said.