FORT WORTH, Texas — It's billed as the "Cowtown Showdown."

Tonight's game between fourth-ranked TCU and No. 16 Utah at Amon G. Carter Stadium is a Texas-sized tussle.

The winner will take sole possession of first place in the Mountain West Conference. Then there's the Bowl Championship Series implications and TCU's not-so-outside chance of sneaking into the national championship picture.

A packed house and a national television audience add to the atmosphere.

"These are the games you dream of growing up as a kid," said Utah cornerback Brandon Burton.

Quarterback Jordan Wynn agrees.

"Definitely a game you dream of," he said. "Playing against a great defense like this with the stakes so high."

The Utes, though, have tried not to get too excited about it. They've followed a path of preparation that has led them to victories in 22 of their last 23 games.

The run of success includes 13 straight conference wins, including six on the road.

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said it all begins with preparations Monday through Friday.

"It's the work ethic, the film study, all the things these guys do to get ready for a game," he said. "We've prepared the same way, obviously, whether at home or on the road, and I think that really is the key."

Will it be enough, however, to trip up TCU? The Horned Frogs sport one of the nation's top defenses, led by All-American defensive end Jerry Hughes.

Utah's offense, meanwhile, features a true freshman quarterback in Wynn. He'll be making just his second collegiate start.

Wynn's effectiveness may depend on the Utes' ability to run the ball.

Junior running back Eddie Wide has six straight 100-yard games to his credit, but TCU enters the game giving up just 89.7 rushing yards per outing.

"You have to be patient. The thing is at the beginning of the game, most of the carries will be 2-3 yards. But eventually they'll start growing and become longer," Wide said. "We're just going to go out there, do our job and just keep it going."

TCU's offense, which has scored 41 or more points in its last four games, will also face an athletic defense. Utah is ranked in the top 18 nationally in passing defense, scoring defense and total defense.

It's a phase of the game that Whittingham has always put a premium on.

"Defense is always a key. We have a plan to win, and it starts with playing great defense," he said. "If you play great defense you're going to be in every game. We've had a pretty good track record on defense."

TCU coach Gary Patterson is well versed in how the Utes operate.