Patterson says TCU proved 'highest level of play'

FORT WORTH, Texas — The big problem for TCU after its most impressive victory is now there are really no more chances for the third-ranked Horned Frogs to help themselves.

A 40-point win victory at then-No. 6 and undefeated Utah strengthened TCU's hold on the third spot in the BCS standings — behind Oregon and Auburn, and ahead of Boise State.

"To me, all you have to prove is what was your highest level of play. To me, Saturday was our highest level of play," TCU coach Gary Patterson said Tuesday. "Very few teams that are really good go to somebody else's house that are really good and win, let alone win like TCU did."

As long as the Horned Frogs (10-0, 6-0 Mountain West) win their home finale Saturday against San Diego State (7-2, 4-1) and then win at New Mexico two weeks later, Patterson believes they should remain in the conversation for a possible BCS national championship berth.

"No matter how we play the last two games, as long as we win, it shouldn't matter," Patterson said.

Unfortunately, it might for TCU a year after finally becoming a BCS buster.

While either Oregon or Auburn will have to lose for TCU to get a chance to move up in the BCS standings, the Frogs also have to hold off Boise State (8-0).

The Broncos have four games left, including at 21st-ranked Nevada, and will be playing on two weekends when TCU won't have a game.

Computer rankings that are part of the BCS formula might not be altered by how many games a team has played at a certain point, but human voters in the polls that do could be influenced by the Frogs not playing.

"Two off weeks while Boise is playing, and if Boise is putting up big numbers and TCU is on the couch eating cheeseburgers and pizza, it's like a week (for TCU) not being able to defend yourself," BCS analyst Jerry Palm said.

Boise State plays the next three Friday nights — at Idaho, home against Fresno State and then at Nevada — before its regular-season finale at home Dec. 4 against Utah State. That is the day before the final BCS standings are released.

After playing their home finale Saturday, the Horned Frogs have a week off before going to New Mexico after Thanksgiving and a week before the Broncos play their last game.