Super-hyped showdown becomes epic dud as TCU trounces Utah 47-7

Ooookay, any questions? Let's get one ugly, necessary detail out of the way. The score was TCU 47, Utah 7.

It was get-the-children-out-of-the-room ugly. This is how bad it was: One minute into the second half, after watching the other guys score yet another touchdown, Ute fans began to file out of the stadium. They had seen enough.

A few minutes later, after still another TCU touchdown, Ute fans were tripping all over themselves trying to escape the football equivalent of the Hindenburg. And to think it had been the hottest ticket in town since Paul McCartney only hours earlier.

"For anyone who loves the program, it hurts," said center Zane Taylor.

The long-awaited showdown between No. 3 TCU and No. 5 Utah — two unbeaten, non-BCS teams trying to win national respect and a BCS bowl bid — was a dud. After beating up on chumps for eight weeks, the Utes picked on someone their own size and got crushed. They were hoping for the Rose Bowl; now they're looking at the Vegas Bowl.

This is how bad it was: Late in the game, TCU backup quarterback Casey Pachall – yes, they were playing their JV at this point – fumbled the ball. A big loss? A Ute turnover? No, TCU running back Waymon James picked it up and weaved 25 yards for a touchdown. Coach Kyle Whittingham palmed his forehead and winced like a man with a migraine.

This is how bad it was: The Utes crossed midfield one time – and that wasn't until the fourth quarter. They trailed 20-0 at the end of the first quarter, 23-0 at halftime, 40-0 early in the fourth quarter.

This is how bad it was: The Frogs outgained the Utes 558 yards to 199.

This is how bad it was: It was the fourth biggest home loss in school history, and the team's biggest loss since 1996.

"My bishop won't be happy, but we got our a---s kicked," said defensive end Christian Cox.

Say good-bye to BCS bowls and national championship pursuits. Say goodbye to the Top 10. Say goodbye to an unbeaten season. Say goodbye to a rare opportunity, one that was made all the better by Alabama's defeat on Saturday.

Talk about anti-climactic. The buildup to the game began weeks ago. The table was set for the Utes. They had a national TV audience and their first top-tier opponent of the season. This was their chance to show the BCS they belonged, that they were worthy of vying for a berth in the BCS National Championship game.