Winner of Poinsettia looks good for 2009

The Poinsettia Bowl is being ranked as one of the top bowls of the 2008 season. The Dec. 23 match-up between undefeated Boise State and 10-2 TCU certainly should draw a wide audience. Both offenses are explosive, and TCU has the nation's No. 2 defense. And while both teams will be looking to win the bowl championship, the bigger prize is the high preseason ranking the winner figures to have. As college football is currently structured, non-BCS schools that start the season outside the top 25 have a nearly impossible road to the BCS. TCU was an exception this year because of its tough schedule. The Frogs beat one top 10 team (BYU) and lost to two others (BCS participants Oklahoma and Utah) on the road. Net year's schedule doesn't figure to be as favorable for a BCS run, unless coach Gary Patterson is able to add a top 10 team late. Translation: The Frogs will have an easier time reaching their first BCS game with a win in San Diego in two weeks.