The Sports Corner

2008 Poinsettia Bowl Preview

Boise State 12-0 (8-0) vs. Texas Christian 10-2 (7-1)

Tuesday, December 23, 5 p.m. PST.

Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California.

WAC #1 vs. Mountain West #2

Coaches: Chris Peterson (35-3) vs. Gary Patterson (75-27)

Quarterbacks: Kellen Moore vs. Andy Dalton

The line: TCU -2

Payout: $750,000

Vegas usually knows what they’re talking about. It might not look right that an undefeated team from the WAC is an underdog against the twice-beaten Horned Frogs, but that’s not just some number they threw around and said, aw what the hell, let’s make TCU the favourite. By the way, a horned frog is actually a lizard, and not just any kind of lizard. This lizard preys on ants and can shoot blood out of its eyes. That’s not a comforting feeling. If TCU can shoot blood out of their eyes in this game, it’s going to be a blowout.If coach Patterson can’t get his kids to shoot blood out of their eyes, they can just rely on their defense. Statistically, it’s one of the best in the country. No. 2 in scoring defense, No. 2 in total defense, No. 1 in rush defense.

TCU employs a 4-2-5 defense which means they have 5 defensive backs on the field a majority of the time. Their front six is very experienced. It’s led by linebacker Robert Henson and defensive end Jerry Hughes, who should give Kellen Moore plenty to worry about on third and long situations. 

Moore is going to be the focal point of this game. He was only sacked 11 times this season but they haven’t faced a defense like this yet. TCU will not allow Boise to run the football. That means if they want to get running backs Ian Johnson and Jeremy Avery involved they will have to do so in the passing game with screens, flares and circle routes to keep the TCU pass rush from teeing off in passing downs.

Protection might be a concern for the Broncos in this game. On the outside Moore will be looking to a pair of productive receivers, junior Jeremy Childs and sophomore Austin Pettis, to carry the load. 

TCU isn’t devoid of offensive talent. From Quarterback Andy Dalton, to running backs Joseph Turner and Aaron Brown, to receiver Jimmy Young, they aren’t a bunch of hacks, they can play with anybody. Dalton was sacked 14 times this year so one thing to watch for is how long he holds onto the football. Boise cornerback Kyle Wilson, an All-WAC first-team selection, will be tested by Young. The sophomore receiver caught 54 balls this year for 926 yards in what most would call a ball-control or run-oriented offense.

The Horned Frogs run a version of Houston Nutt’s wildhog formation, which of course they cleverly named the wildfrog. It’s that kind of creativity that gives every scandal in the United States the name ______gate. Thank you America. But I digress. The man taking snaps in TCU’s wildfrog is receiver Jeremy Kerley (stop me if it sounds like there are too many Jeremy’s in this game). Against BYU he ran for 77 yards on 9 carries, but that was the last game he played in the regular season as an injury has sidelined him until now. He might be the offensive wrinkle TCU needs to finish off Boise. 

TCU wins, no blood-shooting eyes necessary, 30-24.