TCU-BYU matchup attracts ‘College GameDay’ spotlight

So, will Lee Corso end Saturday morning's "College GameDay" broadcast by putting on a Cougar or Horned Frog head?

It doesn't matter to the Mountain West Conference -- what's important is that the show is being broadcast from a league site.

The popular ESPN show will visit Provo, Utah, marking it as college football's place to be this weekend, when No. 16 Brigham Young hosts No. 10 Texas Christian.

"I think 'College GameDay' to pay us the compliment of coming to Provo, Utah, to be a part of that game is a big deal," TCU coach Gary Patterson said. "A lot of times we don't get a chance to be a part of that because our (TV) package is not with ESPN."

The two-hour 'GameDay' show provides in-depth analysis of the weekend's games while cheerleaders stand high in the background and sign-holding fans wear out their vocal chords.

The broadcast ends with Corso donning the mascot head of the team he picks to win in the matchup at the "GameDay" site.

Just being on "GameDay" is validation for the teams involved, especially when they belong to a non-Bowl Championship Series conference such as the Mountain West.

" 'GameDay' doesn't just pick any site," BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said. "They pick the most intriguing matchups from the best programs that are playing at the highest level.

"I think it speaks volumes, and it should be paid attention to and noticed, and it's one more sign we're making progress."

• CHASING BOISE -- ESPN has good reason to be in Provo. TCU-BYU carries serious BCS implications.

TCU is eighth in the BCS standings, four spots behind Boise State, the top school without an automatic bid. The highest-ranked school from such a league in the top 12 automatically earns a bid.

Because of its more difficult schedule, TCU probably would pass the Broncos if it continues to win.

"BYU needs to be the concern," Patterson said. "The first goal is to win a conference championship. That's one thing you have control over."

BYU would love to play spoiler, just like TCU did against the Cougars last season. The Horned Frogs beat then-No. 8 BYU 32-7 on Oct. 16, 2008, after it entered the game 6-0 and on a 16-game winning streak.

"I didn't have (the players) focused and as detailed as necessary in our preparation," Mendenhall said. "I don't think they rose to the occasion in which they needed to because that was a big football game against a very good team. And I think they treated it simply as another game without maybe the edge necessary."

• TRAGIC LOSS -- UNLV defensive tackle Martin Tevaseu has left the team to travel to the San Francisco Bay Area after his 19-year-old sister, Zsorhzinnia, was killed in a car accident early Saturday morning in Oakland, Calif.

It is not known whether Tevaseu will play in Saturday's 5 p.m. PDT game at New Mexico.

• UNLV INJURIES -- The status of Rebels linebackers Starr Fuimaono (ankle) and Ronnie Paulo (shoulder), wide receiver Rodelin Anthony (ankle) and tight end Kyle Watkins (ankle) for Saturday's game is unknown.

Linebacker David Blair (calf) probably won't play.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.