Team: TCU

Nickname: Horned Frogs

Conference: Mountain West

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

Coach: Gary Patterson (9th year, career: 73-27)

Last bowl: 2008 Poinsettia

Last season: 11-2, 7-1

The Horned Frogs were a last-minute touchdown away from spoiling Utah's Cinderella season, but managed to hold on and spoil Boise State's unbeaten run by a single point in the Poinsettia Bowl.

The season is a success if ... Without the daunting task of playing at Oklahoma, like last season, the Horned Frogs should roll into an Oct. 24 game at BYU unbeaten. A win over the Cougars should make the Horned Frogs the latest BCS buster from MWC.

The season is a failure if ... If the Horned Frogs fall to BYU in the battle for the Mountain West title, then have a letdown and stumble with another loss to finish the season, potentially sending TCU to Boise for the Humanitarian Bowl.

Impact Player: Senior Jerry Hughes, defensive end. Hughes led the MWC with 15 sacks and is a pre-season All-American. He anchors a defense that allowed just 147 points last season.

Fun Fact: The Davey O'Brien Award, given to college football's top quarterback, is named for the former Horned Frog signal-caller who won the Heisman Trophy while at TCU.

Official Team Site

Fan Site