The #6 TCU Horned Frogs bring their perfect (8-0) record and National Championship dreams to San Diego this Saturday, as they look to take care of business against the (4-4) San Diego State Aztecs. TCU has little room for error if it hopes to secure a BCS bid. When the season began, college football fans were thinking that the two top teams would be coming from major conferences, not the Mountain West.

The Horned Frogs have been dominant all season and the defense has been the key to TCU’s success. Coming off a shutout in their last game, No. 6 TCU looks to stay undefeated against Brady Hoke’s San Diego State Aztecs. TCU’s defense ranks first in the nation with 235.8 yards per game and 97 first downs, and third with 11.1 points per game.

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“The confidence level and communication on defense in the last three ball games is the best it’s been since we started with this group in the spring,” Coach Gary Patterson said.

TCU is undefeated through eight games, for just the third time. The Horned Frogs were (8-0) during their 1938 National Championship season and again in 2003. For TCU to get legitimate chance at a second national Championship, they will have to leap frog Boise State and hope for some upsets in the top 5, to open up a golden opportunity.

The Horned Frogs remained sixth in the BCS standings following a 41-0 victory over UNLV, its 10th straight going back to last season. The team moved up two spots in AP poll for its highest ranking since 1956. “I’m exited for our fans,” Coach Gary Patterson said. “My job is to make sure the fans don’t get their hearts broken. We need to finish up and do the things we need to do.”

Critics of TCU have said the Horned Frogs’ haven’t faced many challenges. The team has outscored its opponents 282-89 this season and 123-13 over the last three games.

“We still haven’t played our best game,” said quarterback Andy Dalton, who threw for 178 yards and three touchdowns last week. “We still have a lot of things we can improve on. … We have a lot of potential; hopefully we can put it together soon.”

Andy Dalton has been a dependable source on offense, passing for eight TDs over the last three games and 14 this season. For the Horned Frogs to finish undefeated they’ll have to take care of the Aztecs this Saturday, No. 17 Utah next week, and at Wyoming, and finally at home against New Mexico. With Utah being the only true threat to TCU’s perfect season, Coach Gary Patterson needs to make sure the Horned Frogs don’t overlook an improving San Diego State team.

“The biggest thing you worry about is getting through these next three or four ball games without a letdown,” Patterson said. “If you do have one, can you find a way to win? That’s the hard part. It’s just hard to keep up that kind of intensity for so many ball games.” San Diego State on the other hand is looking for the upset in front of a fan base they’ve been trying to get back into Qualcomm Stadium since the days of Marshall Faulk.

The Aztecs (4-4, 2-2) are coming off their third win in four games after beating New Mexico 23-20 last Saturday. Quarterback Ryan Lindley threw three touchdown passes, including a go-ahead score with 7:54 left in the fourth quarter. He finished 22 of 38 for 253 yards, giving the Aztecs back-to-back wins for the first time since 2007. They haven’t won three in a row since 2002.

“Our seniors have done a tremendous job,” Coach Brady Hoke said. “For them, that’s why we get excited as coaches to sing our fight song in the locker room. Guys know how we played and what we need to do to get better. It’s great to be at that point right now.”

Sophomore Ryan Lindley has thrown for 1,010 yards and 12 touchdowns in his last three games, completing 63.2 percent of his passes. In his first five games, Lindley threw eight touchdowns and nine interceptions, while completing only 51.1 percent of his passes for 1,132 yards.

BETTING TRENDS:
Horned Frogs are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games as a favorite of 10.5 or greater.
Horned Frogs are 26-10-1 ATS in their last 37 conference games.
Horned Frogs are 29-13 ATS in their last 42 games as a favorite.
Aztecs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 conference games.
Aztecs are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Over is 12-2 in Aztecs last 14 games as a home underdog of 10.5 or greater.

HEAD TO HEAD

Home team is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 meetings.

TCU has won all four games against San Diego State since beginning MWC play in 2005, including 41-7 last season when the Horned Frogs outgained the Aztecs 498-85.