How rare is TCU's Top 25 opener?
Here's a remarkable stat provided by the top-notch TCU media relations department:
Tonight's game featuring the No. 6 TCU Horned Frogs against the No. 24 Oregon State Beavers at Cowboys Stadium (6:45 p.m., ESPN) marks just the second time in TCU's history that the Frogs and their opponent have both been ranked in the season opener.
The only other occasion was in 1952, when the ninth-ranked Frogs lost a 13-0 decision at No. 17 Kansas.
While tonight's game is important for both programs, the pressure is squarely on the Frogs. Oregon State can leave Arlington with a loss and know that it can still win the Pac-10 and earn a spot in the Rose Bowl, one of the four BCS games. However, a loss by the Frogs, by virtue of playing in a non-automatic qualifying conference, would practically eliminate them from a second consecutive trip to a BCS game.
Jeff Caplan
ESPNDallas.comTEAM RESOURCES
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Richard Durrett
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.
Jeff Caplan
Jeff Caplan joined ESPNDallas.com in December 2009. Jeff covers the Mavericks, Stars and colleges. He has a wealth of experience in the area, covering multiple beats in his 11-plus years with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
Tim MacMahon
Tim MacMahon joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. Tim covers the Cowboys and Mavericks. He has covered the local sports scene from high schools to colleges to pros during his six-year tenure at The Dallas Morning News. MacMahon is a graduate of UNT.
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