TCU insists it’s focused on UNLV, not Utah

UNLV was in a similar spot in mid-September, a 23-point underdog trying to stand in the way of what then-No. 15 Arizona State considered its game of the year.

The Sun Devils were more concerned about their showdown against Georgia the following week -- a game that could have elevated Arizona State into national title discussion.

UNLV shocked the Sun Devils 23-20 in overtime, sending them into a tailspin. Arizona State hasn't won since.

"I think that they thought we were an easy win, and they were just going to show up and get ready for Georgia," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. "That was the attitude of the media, their fans and, fortunately, the team."

And now here comes No. 12 Texas Christian, which could be distracted by a potential Mountain West Conference showdown at No. 10 Utah on Thursday. It would be the football game of the year for the Horned Frogs (8-1, 5-0 MWC) provided they don't fall to Arizona State's temptation and look past 14-point underdog UNLV (3-5, 0-4) at 5 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

TCU coach Gary Patterson insisted his team will not overlook the Rebels, noting UNLV took Brigham Young to the wire in Saturday's 42-35 loss. The Rebels also had near-wins against Air Force and Colorado State.

The Frogs have plenty of reasons to take UNLV seriously, at least its offense. The Rebels are coming off back-to-back 400-yard games behind a quarterback, Omar Clayton, who is establishing himself as one of the league's best.

"UNLV is a lot better football team," than its record, Patterson said, apparently not including the Rebels' defense in his assessment. "We've got to go on the road. It's always hard to play on the road.

"If we want to be able to achieve everything that we set out goal-wise at the beginning of the year, we've got to find a way to win in Vegas."

Patterson better hope his players aren't looking ahead to next week. If the Frogs beat UNLV, the game against Utah would be one of the biggest since TCU was a national power about 50 years ago -- before UNLV's program existed. Of course, the Utes have to do their part and not trip up Saturday at New Mexico.

TCU's outcome against Utah not only would go a long way in determining the conference champion, it would have national implications as well. The winner would take a major step toward making a Bowl Championship Series game.

"We haven't even talked about Utah around this place," Patterson said. "Besides people asking us questions, that's about all that ever comes up about Utah. Right now, all it's been is about UNLV."

For UNLV, though, it's really not about TCU's approach. The Rebels can't control that.

They can control their own.

"They're going to come in ready for anything we throw at them," Rebels wide receiver Ryan Wolfe said. "We're going to have to have close to a perfect game to do the things we want to do and come away with this victory."

• ANOTHER DB COMMITS -- UNLV received a commitment this week from a junior college cornerback. Warren Ziegler (6 feet 1 inch, 180 pounds) will sign in December out of College of San Mateo (Calif.) and go through spring practices. Earlier in the week, the Rebels received a commitment from cornerback Mike Grant, a Sierra College (Truckee, Calif.) product who will sign in February.

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