BYU is undefeated and the darling of the non-BCS football universe. They're going on the road at TCU for a Thursday night game and TCU is now favored. You read that right, the line opened at TCU +2 and has since moved to TCU -1. Meaning lots of people who let their money ride on college kids are not impressed by an undefeated and top ten BYU team. Chances are you know nothing about BYU and TCU. So consider this your rough indoctrination. Sort of like when that guy in your fraternity told you to bite down on the dishrag. Wait, what...?

First, BYU at TCU is on Versus at 8 eastern. File that away. So for at least one night the programmers at Versus have outgamed the guys at ESPN. Second, you didn't know this (and neither did I) but TCU has one of the best defenses in the country and is only giving up 11.4 points per game. Which would be very impressive if BYU wasn't giving up only 10.2 while starting two white cornerbacks. So both defenses are stout. But what's the most impressive of all stats, TCU is only giving up 19.1 rushing yards per game. That's not a misprint. That's insane.

On offense BYU's Max Hall has already thrown for over 1800 yards and 20 touchdowns. Meanwhile TCU's Andy Dalton and Marcus Jackson haven't been nearly as impressive statistically (3 touchdowns and 4 picks between them) but have led their team to an average of 33.7 points per game. Partly because Jackson is a dual threat and leads the team in rushing.

TCU is 6-1 with their only loss on the road at Oklahoma. BYU remains undefeated and aside from a final game at home against Utah this game is probably their best chance for a loss. Which means if you're rooting for a BCS debacle then you need to be rooting for an undefeated BYU to keep climbing in the polls.

BYU has the nation's longest winning streak at 16. TCU still wishes the Southwest Conference existed. Already this tussle is being called the biggest game in Fort Worth, Texas in a decade. Which is saying something gents. Truly...something. Dare we say this: are you ready for some Mountain West football?

I know I am. Oh, and on the other station, in the other game, Bobby Bowden will look befuddled 18 times and SU will win by 14. It's really an easy call. Come watch the Mountain West/Pac-10 title be decided on Versus.

Expectations

The Stormin’ Mormons are hoping to become the latest non-Big 6 conference team to kick in the front door at the BCS bonanza. They have hope because there was little turnover from last year’s team that went 11-2 (8-0) and won the Mountain West conference. Junior quarterback Max Hall is seeking to build on his very successful sophomore season and lead Cougars to the BCS. Every year the media seems to crown one smaller conference school as their darling for the season. This year it's BYU. So watch out Clemson, Texas Tech, Penn State, etc. after you supposed big boys fail to win your conference BYU wants one of your at-large spots.

Know that Cougar

Most devout college football fans know Max Hall, but what about the rest of the team… Harvey Unga and Fui Vakapuna are the one-two punch at running back that will give the offense needed balance. At no point will any television announcer correctly pronounce these two men's names. Unga had a nice 1,200 yard 13 touchdown 2007 season while Fui is trying to stay healthy and look like the beast he was in 2006. The offensive line is anchored by senior tackle Dallas Reynolds and they should be a solid unit.

The defensive line is led by the best overall talent on the team DE Jan Jorgensen. Jorgensen had 19 sacks last year and needs only 1.5 more to become MWC’s all time leader. However, the early success of BYU will depend on how
long it takes talented but inexperienced corners Scott Johnson and Brandon Howard to play well. BYU is going to need them on top of their game on September 13 when UCLA comes to town.

BYU Wouldn’t Piss on Utah if they were on Fire

The Holy War has been being played since the 1895-1896 season when BYU was known as Brigham Young Academy. All time they are 33-52 against Utah, but are winners of the last two. The Cougars are salivating about facing off
against Utah and stepping on their neck on the way to an undefeated season and the BCS. On their behalf let me say the following: fuck you Utah on November 22nd we are going to cram your gimmicky spread offense straight up your assholes. In fact, Jim McMahon just might come back and do it himself.

• 1. Speed, And Talking About Speed, Kills. The conference that gave us Fisher DeBerry would like to remind you that Air Force will likely continue to suffer for the remarks made by their coach last season. Oh, you remember: "(TCU) had a lot more Afro-American players than we did and they ran a lot faster than we did." The Falcons went 4-7, DeBerry's worst year since 1993 (4-8). Although the school let him keep his job, the record may even be worse in 2006.

• 2. Someone's In The Kitchen With Dinah .... There are a few heated rivalries in the Mountain West, but overall the conference enmity needs work. You do have the Border War (Colorado State vs. Wyoming), the Rocky Mountain Showdown (Colorado State vs. Colorado) and the Battle For Nevada (UNLV vs. Nevada ... the only two schools who would want it). Our favorite is the Battle For The Iron Skillet (TCU vs. SMU).

• 3. Oh, You Rebels. Well, only two Mountain West teams have winning records in bowl games,and one of those is undefeated. Can you guess? Utah is 8-3, and UNLV is a surprising 3-0.

• 4. Fun With Acronyms. In case you were wondering, among other meanings of the MWC acronym are Maritime Warfare Centre; Married White Couple; Married With Children; Mary Washington College; Medium Weight Coated (paper); Mennonite World Conference and Murder Was the Case (Dr. Dre and Ice Cube album title). (Acronyms from acronymfinder.com.) You weren't wondering? Well, then the Mountain West is the youngest of the Division 1-A conferences, opening shop in 1999.

Wednesday: The Sun Belt.