2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl: A Quest for Perfection

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The 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl will feature perhaps the most compelling contest during the 2009-10 college football bowl season when undefeated Boise State faces unbeaten TCU.

This game will be the first time two unbeaten teams play in a BCS bowl game other than the national championship game. Though both teams missed out on the chance to play one of the major conferences, do not expect either team to take this game lightly.

Boise State is ready for payback after losing 17-16 to TCU last season, ending their chance at a perfect season while TCU is ready to show the nation that they deserved a shot to play for the national championship.

The Horned Frogs enter the game ready to continue their record setting year under the leadership of Junior quarterback Andy Dalton. Dalton finished the regular season completing 62.4% of his passes for 2,484 yards with 22 touchdown and 5 interceptions.

While Dalton’s performance has already created a stir for the 2010 Heisman, the offensive line of the Horned Frogs needs recognition. Their domination in the trenches helped the running game produce four rushers with at least 500 yards.

The key for a Horned Frog victory will be if they can shut down the running game of Boise State. Last year, they held the Broncos to only 28 yards rushing.

This year, the Broncos average 194.5 yards per game on the ground, while the Horned Frogs allow 30.8 yards per game. Something is will have to give.

When the Broncos offense was challenged by head coach Chris Peterson, they stepped on the pedal and never looked back. They have scored more than 40 points in their last 7 games and have won by an average of 29.7 points.

Sophomore quarterback Kellen Moore had an outstanding season, completing 64.8% of his passes for 3,325 yards with 39 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Moore will miss one of his top targets, wide receiver Austin Pettis, who is listed as questionable with a lower leg fracture.

If Pettis is unable to go, Moore is certain target receiver Titus Young, who led the team with 71 receptions for 969 yards and 10 touchdowns.

The Broncos will have their hands full with the nation’s top pass rusher, Jerry Hughes. Over the past two seasons for the Horned Frogs, Hughes has racked up 26.5 sacks. Good news for Broncos fans, their offensive line has only given up 5 sacks in 13 games this year.

This game should be an entertaining game with the offensive firepower of both teams. College football fans should expect a high scoring affair reminiscent of the 2007 Fiesta Bowl when Boise State knocked off Oklahoma.

You can find additional in-depth coverage of the 2010 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl at the Gunaxin Blog Bowl.