2010 Bowl Projections: For TCU, Rose Bowl Or Bust?

TCU and Boise State are both in similarly dire straits as far as their bowl projections for this season go, thanks to the BCS selection process.

If TCU wins out, it might be ahead of Boise State in the final BCS rankings. If the Horned Frogs do beat out the Broncos, they will earn the automatic bid for the highest-ranking team from a non-BCS automatic qualifier conference and play in the Rose Bowl, likely lining up against Wisconsin.

But if TCU goes undefeated and is passed by the Broncos, the Horned Frogs might not even play in December.

Their fate would be up to the BCS bowls, and after filling spots for the Big 12, Big East, ACC, Big Ten champions, and Boise State, just three would remain as possible landing spots for TCU. Of those, the Fiesta Bowl and Sugar Bowl would be the most logical destinations, but TCU would likely find itself trying to beat out LSU, Ohio State, and either Nebraska, Oklahoma, or Oklahoma State for that slot. And though the Horned Frogs might have the best on-field product, bowl committees’ responsibility to sell tickets might trump the allure of a good game.

Being passed up by those games would likely slide the Horned Frogs to the Las Vegas Bowl, which has the first pick of Mountain West teams. And if TCU should lose in its season finale, that trip to Las Vegas is all but assured.