TCU Claims Mountain West Title
TCU wrapped up its first outright conference title in nearly 50 years after defeating Colorado State, 33-6 this past Saturday to clinch the Mountain West.
The Horned Frogs (9-1, 6-0), playing their first season in the MWC, last won an outright league title in 1958 as member of the Southwest Conference. TCU shared SWC titles in 1959 and 1994 and won a piece of championships in the Western Athletic Conference (1999, 2000) and Conference USA (2002).
Weekly Report
BYU (5-4, 4-2) has won four of its last five games, including a 55-14 victory at UNLV last Saturday, and needs just one more victory to become bowl eligible. BYU travels to Wyoming before hosting Utah in the season finale. Colorado State (5-4, 4-2) can become bowl eligible by winning one of its final two games (vs. San Diego State, at UNLV). Utah (5-4, 3-3) defeated Wyoming, 43-13, sending the Cowboys to their fourth straight loss. The Utes have two games remaining, vs. New Mexico and at BYU, and need one more win for bowl eligibility. Wyoming (4-5, 2-4) would need to defeat BYU and San Diego State to become bowl eligible. New Mexico (5-4, 3-3) was idle last week and also needs one more victory for a shot at a fourth straight bowl game. The Lobos travel to Utah this week before hosting Air Force Nov. 19 to wrap up the season. The only non-conference contest of the week saw Air Force drop its home matchup vs. service academy rival Army, 24-27.
Eyeing the Postseason
TCU is bowl eligible with its 9-1 mark, while five other MWC teams are fighting for a shot at the postseason. BYU, Colorado State, New Mexico and Utah must win one of their final two games to become bowl eligible, while Wyoming must win its final two contests.
Four!
TCU recorded four interceptions against Colorado State last Saturday. The Horned Frogs are the first team in MWC history to record at least four interceptions in three games during the course of a season. Colorado State (2001) and San Diego State (2002) both accomplished the feat twice in a single season, but never three times.
High Scoring Cougars
BYU's point total of 117 in victories over Air Force (62-41) and UNLV (55-14) the last two weeks ranks as the third-most in Mountain West history over a two-game span. BYU holds the Conference record for most points in back-to-back games, posting 122 points twice during the 2001 season. The Cougars defeated Tulane (70-53) and Nevada (52-7) to open the 2001 campaign, followed a victories over Air Force (63-33) and San Diego State (59-21) during league play.
The 117 points scored by the Cougars in the past two weeks also ranks atop in the NCAA. Texas has scored 109 points, USC 106 and Boise State 105 over the past two weeks.
50-Point Plateau
BYU has scored 50-or-more points in consecutive games for the first time since 2001. The Cougars scored 55 points against UNLV this past Saturday and 62 vs. Air Force on Oct. 29, for a total of 117 points in two games. The last time the Cougars scored at least 50 in back-to-back games was in 2001 when they had 59 at San Diego State and 56 against Colorado State for a total of 115 points. The last time BYU had at least 117 points in two games was in 2001, when the Cougars had 63 against Air Force and 59 at San Diego State for a total of 122 points.
What You May Have Missed in Week 10...
+ Air Force QB Shaun Carney had a career-high 104 rushing yards vs. Army, moving him ahead of Blane Morgan (1,129 yards-1996-98) on the career rushing list with 1,212 yards.
+ TCU DB Brian Bonner's two first-half interceptions vs. Colorado State gave him three on the season. DB Marvin White also recorded his third interception of 2005, while DB Eric Buchanan picked-off his first of the year to give TCU 10 players with at least one interception this season.
+ Utah WR John Madsen had a career-high 12 receptions for 117 yards and two touchdowns in the 43-13 win over Wyoming. It was Madsen's third 100-plus yard receiving game of the year.
+ UNLV QB Jarrod Jackson became the first Rebel since 1996 to pass for at least 300 yards in back-to-back games after a 329-yard performance vs. BYU. Jackson's 31 completions also tied for the third most in a game by a UNLV signal caller.
+ UNLV LB Beau Bell and DB Joe Miklos each tallied 15 tackles apiece in the loss to BYU. Bell has seven solo stops, while Miklos has six.
+ Wyoming LB Ward Dobbs recorded a season-best 18 tackles, including six solo tackles and 12 assists, against Utah. Despite starting only three games this season, Dobbs ranks third on the Wyoming team in tackles with 53 total tackles. He also has 4.5 TFLs on the season and has forced two fumbles.
