Texas Christian @ Boise State preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 4, 2010 ) Boise State 17, Texas Christian 10

THE STORY: The long-awaited Mountain West Conference showdown between No. 5 Boise State and No. 24 Texas Christian arrives Saturday and it will be the only time the two teams square off as conference mates. The Horned Frogs are seeking their third consecutive Mountain West crown before bolting to the Big 12 after the season. Meanwhile, the Broncos are in their first year in the league but are considering leaving for the Big East. Boise State record-setting quarterback Kellen Moore hasn’t thrown a touchdown pass in two previous games against TCU.

TV: Versus. LINE: Boise State -15.

ABOUT BOISE STATE (8-0, 3-0 Mountain West): The Broncos have won 35 consecutive home games, the longest active streak in the nation. Moore ranks fourth in NCAA history with 128 career touchdowns passes, three behind third-place Colt Brennan (2004-07) of Hawaii. Moore became the eighth player in NCAA history to top the 13,000-career yardage mark in last week’s victory over UNLV. Top running back Doug Martin (756 yards) is questionable with a leg injury and D.J. Harper (109 yards against UNLV) is being prepared to see heavy duty. Defensive tackle Billy Winn (knee) also is questionable. Boise State ranks 13th in total defense at 302.9 yards per game but has allowed 47 points over the past two games.

ABOUT TCU (7-2, 4-0): The Horned Frogs have won four straight games and have been victorious in 21 consecutive Mountain West contests. TCU rushed for a season-high 390 yards in last week’s victory against Wyoming and has three productive backs in Waymon James (652 yards, 8.5 average), Matthew Tucker (532 yards, nine touchdowns) and Ed Wesley (528 yards, 6.8 average). Quarterback Casey Pachall has 19 touchdown passes against five interceptions. TCU’s defense is allowing 348.7 yards per game (38th nationally) after leading the nation each of the past three seasons. The Horned Frogs allowed 90 points in their two losses - 50 to Baylor and 40 to SMU.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Boise State leads the series 2-1 with all three meetings coming in bowl games over the past eight years.

2. The Broncos last lost a home conference game in 1998 against Idaho when it resided in the Big West Conference.

3. The Horned Frogs have matched the Mountain West Conference record of 11 straight road victories.

PREDICTION: Boise State 34, TCU 31 - The Broncos come dangerously close to waving good-bye to their BCS title game hopes before prevailing.