Week 8 Preview (Part 1)

BYU at TCU, Thursday 8 p.m.

The Cougars are one of college football's most prolific passing programs ever, producing such quarterbacks as Steve Young, Jim McMahon and Heisman winner Ty Detmer. BYU still has that passing game working as it is eighth in the country in passing offense at 320.50 yards per game, and eighth in passing efficiency. The Cougars lead the Mountain West in passing offense, total offense and scoring.

But the Cougars have a new calling card as well, a very tough defense that has allowed 44 points in its five games against FBS opponents, including shutouts over UCLA and Wyoming. Including its win over Northern Illinois, BYU has allowed the second fewest points per game in the country, trailing only USC. The defense features some excellent linebackers in David Nixon, Matt Bauman and Coleby Clawson. They have helped the Cougars put up numbers good enough for the Top 20 Nationally in sacks, tackles for loss and turnover margin.

TCU's resume would look awfully similar to BYU's if not for one game - a 35-10 loss to prevous No. 1 Oklahoma. TCU is 5-1 against FBS competition, having allowed 38 points in the five wins. BYU is averaging more points and giving up less overall, but if you factor in the Oklahoma game and the fact that TCU is home, and well, this one is a toss up.

The Horned Frogs are led by a strong rushing attack that ranks 13th in the country, but no player averages more than 60 yards per game. In fact, quarterback Marcus Jackson leads the team in rushing.

BYU will have to account for linebacker Jerry Hughes in the passing game. Hughes has two intercpetions to go along with seven sacks, so he's a factor rushing and dropping into coverage.

Prediction: BYU 24, TCU 20