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TCU impresses with Texas win, but still needs help in CFP rankings

Graham Watson
TCU's Josh Doctson (9) celebrates a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
TCU's Josh Doctson (9) celebrates a catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

TCU needed to make a statement in its final game against a worthwhile opponent and it didn’t disappoint.

The Horned Frogs thrashed Texas 48-10 and did its best to make a case for a spot in the top 4 of the College Football Playoff.

Of course, there’s still one more game to play — TCU will finish the season next week at home against Iowa State — but Thursday’s game marked the last quality matchup on the Horned Frogs' regular-season schedule. While Texas struggled early in the season, it came into Thursday's game winners of three straight and bowl eligible. Texas’ defense ranked second in the Big 12 in total defense and first in scoring defense, allowing just 21 points per game.

But it was the TCU defense that took center stage on Thursday. It forced six turnovers, which the Horned Frogs converted into 31 points. It was the most turnovers for the Longhorns since committing six against Baylor on Dec. 3, 2011.

Now, TCU gets to sit back and watch the teams ahead of it try to keep pace.

Most of the teams ahead of the Horned Frogs have tough matchups this weekend, including the Iron Bowl between Alabama and Auburn, and the Egg Bowl between Mississippi State and Ole Miss.

If none of the teams ahead of TCU falters this weekend, the Horned Frogs have a slim hope that one might trip up in a conference title game. There's also a slight chance the rankings committee could be compelled to move TCU ahead if one of the teams ahead of it struggles and has to pull out a close victory. Remember, TCU is currently 3-1 against teams in the Top 25. No team ahead of it can boast the same mark.

Bottom line is that while TCU’s win against Texas was impressive, it’s not good enough to move the Horned Frogs into the top 4 all by itself. TCU is going to need some help in the next two weeks to ascend in the rankings. It’s also going to need to handle Iowa State pretty handily.

However, TCU's win against Texas definitely erases any ill images the Horned Frogs made with its sloppy win against Kansas a couple weeks ago and should paint them in a favorable light when the committee meets next week.

For more TCU news, visit PurpleMenace.com.

For more Texas news, visit Orangebloods.com.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter!

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