TCU aims for return trip to BCS bowl game

Editor's note: This is the last in a nine-part series previewing each football team in the MWC.

TCU posted an undefeated regular season, busted the Bowl Championship Series for the first time, and finished No. 6 in the final polls last year.

But senior quarterback Andy Dalton says he and his teammates have a chip on their shoulder entering the 2010 season.

Falling to soon-to-be Mountain West Conference member Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl spoiled the Horned Frogs' dream season.

"To get so close, to get to the BCS game — and lose — left a sour taste in our mouths," Dalton said. "That was our goal — to get to that game and win. But that wasn't the case. That's just extra motivation for us, to get back to that game and win it this year."

That's bad news for the rest of the conference.

TCU, ranked No. 7 in the preseason USA Today coaches' poll released Friday, dominated the league a year ago and was the unanimous pick by the media to repeat.

The Frogs are embracing their role as the favorite.

"There's no additional pressure on us," Dalton said. "Yeah, people are expecting another great season of us, but that's what we expect of ourselves."

Coach Gary Patterson said his team is ready to deal with the high expectations.

"They understand what it takes to win," he said.

Like last season, TCU is loaded. They return nine starters on offense and seven on defense. Dalton was the preseason pick for offensive player of the year, linebacker Tank Carder was the preseason defensive player of the year, and Jeremy Kerley was the preseason special teams player of the year.

Dalton loves that the nucleus of last season's team is returning.

"It's very comforting to have the same guys I basically played with when I was a freshman," Dalton said. "I know what these guys can do and what to expect of them. They know what to expect from me. It makes things a whole lot easier."

TCU opens the season against Oregon State at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. The Frogs then face Tennessee Tech, Baylor and SMU. In conference play, both BYU and Air Force visit Fort Worth in October. A tough game at Utah looms the first week of November.

TCU Horned Frogs at a glance

2010 MWC preseason poll: No. 1