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It doesn't matter that Utah is thus far 9-0 on the season and ranked number 9, they are a +2 ½ underdog at betED.com Thursday night.
This is going to be one of the most anticipated games of the week. While Utah is undefeated, TCU only has one loss itself.
Utah is on track for its second BCS bowl bid in four years. The Utes could care less about style points.
"It doesn't matter to me one bit, don't care," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said in response to how Utah's unimpressive 13-10 win Saturday over unheralded New Mexico might impact his team's standing among the BCS elite.
Louie Sakoda kicked two field goals and Utah scored it's only touchdown off a little trickery.
Utah (9-0, 5-0 MWC) struggled much of the night on offense the Utes came into the game averaging a conference best 39 points a game but the defense made up for it with key stops. The last two stopped Lobo drives at midfield, one on downs with 3:46 left in the game and the other as time ran out.
The first Lobo drive ended when quarterback Brad Gruner threw incomplete on third-and-3. New Mexico coach Rocky Long said that play was the decisive one.
"The game was won or lost on fourth-and-three at the 50 yard line," Long said. "That was my call, but right or wrong, it was time to decide who was going to win the game."
TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes has been named the Mountain West Conference Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in Saturday's 44-14 win at UNLV.
It's the third time this season that Hughes, a Midseason All-American by The Sporting News, has received the MWC's weekly honor.
Hughes had two sacks to extend his nation-leading total to 14. No other player in the country has more than 11 sacks. Hughes also leads the nation with 17 tackles for loss while tying for the top spot with five forced fumbles. He also has three fumble recoveries to go with two interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
In addition to his two sacks against the Rebels, Hughes had a forced fumble. He also deflected a pass which led to a Robert Henson interception. The Frogs converted the turnover into seven points. Hughes totaled four solo stops in the game.
TCU held UNLV to 175 yards of offense and a 1-of-11 mark on third-down conversions. The Rebels had just 101 yards before a 74-yard drive in the final minutes when TCU cleared its bench leading 44-7.
No. 11 TCU (9-1, 6-0) leads the nation in run defense (38.9 yards per game) while placing second in total defense (214.5) and third in scoring defense (10.8 points per game).
Utah is 2-1 in this series over the last three years of play against Texas Christian University. Their one loss, on the road, was by a mere 3 points in overtime.
Utah was a +4 underdog when they played TCU on the road last year and won by 7 points.
Utah may be 9-0, but Against The Spread they are only 4-3-1.
The Horned Frogs are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games overall and 22-8-1 ATS in their last 31 conference games. They are 11-5 ATS in their last 16 games following a SU win of more than 20 points and are 13-6-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
The Utes are 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 games following a S.U. win and are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 conference games.
We here at Gambling911.com really like Utah to cover as +2 ½ home underdogs at betED.com. Remember that betED.com is offering a 50 percent bonus if your first bet is a win. This one might be!
Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
