Big crowd sees big win

For years, one of the myriad reasons TCU has failed to gain the respect of college football was its disappointing attendance. Despite consistently good -- at times, even great seasons -- Fort Worth didn't adequately show its appreciation. Sure, there was the occasional large crowd. In 2003, the final home game of the season against Cincinnati drew more than 42,000 fans. Since the breakup of the Southwest Conference, when Texas and Texas A&M lost all interest in coming to Fort Worth, the crowds have been disappointing. Sure there has been the occasional surprise. The win over Cincinnati in 2003, which pushed the Frogs' record to 10-0, was seen by more than 42,000 people. Too often, the 44,008-seat Amon G. Cater Stadium has been one-third, even half-empty. This dispute a team that has posted multiple seasons of double-digit wins under head coach Gary Patterson.

On Saturday, no one could complain about a half-empty stadium in Fort Worth. The Frogs beat Texas Tech 12-3 in front of more than 45,000 fans. It was the first sellout in 22 years, since the last regular-season game between ranked teams at amen Carter.

On Sunday, the Frogs were rewarded by the voters, moving to No. 15 in the coaches top 25, No. 16 in the AP poll. TCU has not been so highly ranked since Sept. 21, 1959. TCU was ninth that week. BYU comes to fort Worth next, for a Thursday evening game Sept. 28. Normally, as well as BYU travels, 40,000 could be expected to file in to the the seats for that one. But game time is 5 p.m. Still, maybe seeing the stadium at capacity Saturday will inspire college football fans (not just diehard TCU backers) to leave the office a little early and support a team that needs a little respect.