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The 2009 game between Utah and TCU has all the elements of their classic 2008 meeting.
Both teams are highly ranked, one is undefeated and the Mountain West Conference title and BCS hopes are up for grabs when the teams clash.
Normally, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham tries to downplay games others bill as momentous matchups. But he didn't bother doing so Saturday following the Utes' 45-14 win over New Mexico, acknowledging how big the game is.
"The guys are smart guys, they understand what is at stake," he said. "It's a huge game. Every one counts as one and we try not to get ahead of ourselves but we all know that we have a chance to help the cause with this game."
A testament to how big the game is: Sunday's announcement that ESPN's "College GameDay" will broadcast from Fort Worth, Texas. The "GameDay" crew was on hand for TCU's 38-7 beating of BYU in Provo and broadcast from the Air Force-Army game last week.
The slight difference from last season's matchup between TCU and the Utes is that TCU has the higher ranking and the home-field advantage.
TCU (9-0, 5-0) is No. 4 in the polls while the Utes (8-1, 5-0) slipped two spots to No. 16 in the BCS standings and moved up one spot to No. 16 in The Associated Press poll.
But the rankings don't seem to bother the Utes, who thrive in the underdog role.
Whittingham said he doesn't know exactly why that is, pointing out the Utes "believe in each other."
Seems there will be a lot of belief on the field then Saturday, for the Horned Frogs are playing with as much confidence as any team in the country.
"Coach [Gary] Patterson is a great coach and he's got those guys believing in themselves," Whittingham said. "They've got some great talent assembled, a great squad."
TCU has won 11 straight since losing to the Utes 13-10 on Nov. 6, 2008. In that game, Brian Johnson led the Utes on a last-minute 80-yard scoring drive and TCU's kicker missed two field goals in the fourth quarter.
Since that game, Patterson has spoken often of how the Utes took something away that the Horned Frogs believed belonged to them.
The Frogs have reacted by claiming ownership of the MWC and the league's BCS hopes ever since. They defeated a previously unbeaten Boise State team in the Poinsettia Bowl and have enjoyed several blowout wins this season.
The closest decisions were a 14-10 win at Clemson and a 20-17 win at Air Force. The Horned Frogs picked up a 55-12 win at San Diego State on Saturday and have outscored their last four opponents 178-25.
While TCU is no stranger to being a player for the MWC race, Whittingham said the difference between this team and teams from years past is the Horned Frogs are a more complete team. They don't have a weakness, he said, mentioning defensive end Jerry Hughes, receiver Jeremy Kerley and quarterback Andy Dalton as being reasons why the Frogs are dominating.
"In years past, maybe the offense was not as potent as the defense or special teams was middle of the pack," he said. "But right now there is no phase of the game that isn't hitting on all cylinders."
The Utes, in contrast, are a team still learning about themselves as an offense behind freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn.
That the Utes have suffered just one loss to this point and all their goals are attainable, Whittingham said.
"We've had a lot of turnover but we felt we have recruited very well the last five years and that is the most important thing, is the personnel we've recruited at this point," he said. "We have tough games ahead of us but at this point we are on track."
Utah dropped two spots to No. 16 in the BCS rankings released Sunday, while BYU re-entered the standings at No. 22. › D3
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After a dominating win over Wyoming, BYU players say they won't take winless New Mexico lightly. › D3
Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
TV » CBS College Sports
