College Football Corner: Conference Kings

No. 14 Utah (8-1) at No. 4 TCU (9-0), 7:30 p.m. EDT: Who knew a small private school in Fort Worth, Texas, would have so much influence over the college football season. TCU has long been a quaint, defensive-oriented, Mountain West powerhouse. But Saturday presents an all-together different affair.

Forget a mere BCS-busting bowl bid.

TCU's opponent this weekend, Utah, is best known as one of the few of the college football outsiders to bust the BCS monopoly.

It's such an important game that Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth is sold out for the first time in more than three years.

The BCS isn't the only list where the Horned Frogs share the spotlight with the nation's elite. TCU ranks third in the country in total defense. All-American defensive end and Lombardi Trophy finalist Jerry Hughes headlines the group with nine sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss on the season.

Jerry Hughes of TCU

But the Utes are coming off a season-high performance, logging 45 points and 557 yards of total offense, against New Mexico. More surprisingly, the game marked the first career start for freshman quarterback Jordan Wynn, who finished with nearly 300 yards passing and two touchdowns.

But while TCU has sported great defenses in past years, it's this year's offensive production that has led the Horned Frogs to its lofty ranking. It's the same offense that's cranked out at least 400 yards in its last four outings.