TCU's stellar performance in Utah has already paid rankings dividends, as the Horned Frogs jumped to number three in this week's AP Top 25. Utah entered the game ranked number five and had national title and BCS hopes of their own, but TCU battered them early and didn't let off of the peddle until midway through the fourth quarter. The road victory was the bell-tower game that TCU needed to separate themselves from Boise as the non-SEC/Pac 10 option.
TCU drew enough votes away from Boise St. to carry Auburn to the second spot. That's not as much of a concern for TCU at this point as being the clear alternative above Boise, since the Frogs can't overtake an unbeaten Auburn anyway and still needs a combination of big-conference losses to finish at number two. They were aided by Oklahoma's defeat to Texas A&M, as the Big 12 now likely won't figure heavily in the title race. Oregon held onto the top spot with their impressive second half against Washington.
TCU heads home to take on San Diego State (7-2) next weekend, then finishes their regular season Thanksgiving weekend at New Mexico (1-8).