Jan. 10, 2012

TCU is one of just four schools (Alabama, Boise State and Oregon) to finish in the top 15 of both major polls over the last four seasons. TCU's average ranking of 7.3 in the final Associated Press poll during that period places third behind only Alabama (4.5) and Oregon (7.0).

TCU and Boise State are the only schools to win at least 11 games each of the last four years. The Horned Frogs have won at least 11 games six times in the past seven seasons while reaching 10 victories eight times in the last 10 campaigns.

In 11 seasons under head coach Gary Patterson, TCU has posted eight top-25 finishes. The Horned Frogs have placed in the top 10 in three of the last four years and four of the past seven.

TCU is one of just six programs to reach a BCS game in two of the last three seasons and one of only 12 schools to play in a bowl game in 13 of the last 14 years.

The Horned Frogs have won 38 of their last 41 games and are 50-5 in their last 55 contests. Since 2008, TCU's 47 wins (47-5) trail only Boise State (50-3) and Alabama (48-6).

The Horned Frogs will return 13 starters (seven defensive, six offensive) when they begin Big 12 play next fall.

TCU will enter the 2012 campaign with the nation's second-longest winning streak (eight), trailing only Northern Illinois (nine).

Associated Press Top 25
(first-place votes in parentheses, record and points received)
1. Alabama (55) - 12-1 - 1,495
2. LSU (1) - 13-1 - 1,425
3. Oklahoma State (4) - 12-1 - 1,399
4. Oregon - 12-2 - 1,250
5. Arkansas - 11-2 - 1,198
6. USC - 10-2 - 1,181
7. Stanford - 11-2 - 1,167
8. Boise State - 12-1 - 1,127
9. South Carolina - 11-2 - 1,013
10. Wisconsin - 11-3 - 905
11. Michigan State - 11-3 - 873
12. Michigan - 11-2 - 839
13. Baylor - 10-3 - 780
14. TCU - 11-2 - 653
15. Kansas State - 10-3 - 621
16. Oklahoma - 10-3 - 572
17. West Virginia - 10-3 - 547
18. Houston - 13-1 - 518
19. Georgia - 10-4 - 439
20. Southern Miss - 12-2 - 411
21. Virginia Tech - 11-3 - 329
22. Clemson - 10-4 - 188
23. Florida State - 9-4 - 154
24. Nebraska - 9-4 - 143
25. Cincinnati - 10-3 - 103

USA Today Top 25
(first-place votes in parentheses, record and points received)
1. Alabama (59) - 12-1 - 1,475
2. LSU - 13-1 - 1,404
3. Oklahoma State - 12-1 - 1,367
4. Oregon - 12-2 - 1,290
5. Arkansas - 11-2 - 1,188
6. Boise State - 12-1 - 1,162
7. Stanford - 11-2 - 1,106
8. South Carolina - 11-2 - 1,084
9. Michigan - 11-2 - 925
10. Michigan State - 11-3 - 912
11. Wisconsin - 11-3 - 911
12. Baylor - 10-3 - 775
13. TCU - 11-2 - 710
14. Houston - 13-1 - 673
15. Oklahoma - 10-3 - 610
16. Kansas State - 10-3 - 602
17. Virginia Tech - 11-3 - 574
18. West Virginia - 10-3 - 554
19. Southern Miss - 12-2 - 429
20. Georgia - 10-4 - 345
21. Cincinnati - 10-3 - 248
22. Clemson - 10-4 - 237
23. Florida State - 9-4 - 205
24. Nebraska - 9-4 - 144
25. BYU - 10-3 - 79