BYU football gameday

No. 9 BYU (6-0, 2-0) at TCU (6-1, 3-0)

Showers in morning, with clouds lingering in afternoon. High 74. Winds N at 10-20 mph. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Today, 6 p.m. MST — Amon G. Carter Stadium (44,358) — natural grass — Fort Worth, Texas

TV: Versus — Radio: 1160AM, 102.7FM

PLAYER TO WATCH

JASON PHILLIPS, TCU linebacker: Senior and three-time All-MWC selection headlines a defense ranked No. 1 in total defense (207.43 yards allowed per game), rush defense (20.7 yards allowed per game) and sacks (27).

KEY MATCHUP

BYU'S OFFENSE VS. TCU'S DEFENSE: The Cougars boast one of the nation's top offenses while the Horned Frogs own one of the top defenses. Can BYU's offensive line protect QB Max Hall from a ferocious TCU pass rush? Can the Horned Frogs' scheme contain Harvey Unga, Austin Collie and Dennis Pitta?

THE STAKES

For TCU ... The Horned Frogs have a chance not only to spoil BYU's BCS aspirations, but they would love to end the Cougars' nation-leading 16-game winning streak and 18-game conference winning streak. A victory would also give TCU a big boost in the rankings and put it in the MWC driver's seat.

For BYU ... Simply put, the Cougars' BCS hopes will either be dashed or bolstered tonight. This is the Cougars' toughest test of the season so far. With a win, BYU's national stature will increase even more. With a loss, national interest in the Cougars will drop off significantly and talk about a BCS game will be on hold until next year.

THE TRENDS

For TCU ... The Frogs are 15-2 in their past 17 games at home.

For BYU ... The Cougars have won two in a row against TCU, including a 31-17 road victory over the then-No. 15 ranked Horned Frogs in 2006. BYU has not lost a conference road game in three years.

THE EDGE

TCU will win if ... it is successful in getting pressure on Hall, forcing turnovers and is able to sustain long, clock-consuming drives against the Cougar defense.

BYU will win if ... it plays a complete game offensively and defensively, protects Max Hall, avoids turnovers, and can fashion drives that finish in the end zone.

INJURY REPORT