Where's the beef?

For the most part, it's been that kind of season.

Things obviously could change in the closing weeks, but right now it looks sort of like 2005, when Texas and Southern Cal seemed destined to face each other from the jump. Only this time it's Texas and whoever gets out of the SEC.

At least four years ago there was a buzz surrounding who deserved the Heisman Trophy -- Reggie Bush or Vince Young. Perhaps even 2004 winner Matt Leinart.

In 2006 you had those debate/campaigns about whether Michigan or Florida should play Ohio State in the title game. In 2007, you had Louisiana State going for it on fourth downs and playing overtimes and getting into the final with two losses. Against an Ohio State team that also lost near the end. And you had USC being upset at getting left out.

Last year, you had Florida losing early, and Oklahoma losing to Texas and then scoring 60 on everyone. You had Texas losing on the final play at unbeaten Texas Tech, after beating three consecutive top 11 opponents. You had politicking. You had Utah feeling overlooked. You had Tim Tebow and Colt McCoy not winning a Heisman. Plus USC again getting upset about being left out.

At least this time the Trojans will not be heard from.

But really, nothing much has changed at the top in forever. Even the close calls have been rare. And while there is some love for the Texas Christians of the food chain, it's hardly overwhelming. America just seems resigned to the fact that things are pretty much set.

Even the Heisman talk has been relatively hypeless, as everyone waits for a somebody to truly emerge.

Yet as dramatically as the last three seasons have played out, the title games haven't exactly followed suit. It probably isn't coincidental that Ohio State played in two of them. Yet even last season's finale was no instant classic.

Four years ago, though, Texas and USC provided us with a closing act that remains priceless. We can only hope for a reasonable facsimile. Last impressions are the best.

Of course, Texas could lose to Texas A&M or in the Big 12 final. Alabama could lose at Auburn. Florida could lose to Alabama. And Cincinnati could lose at Pitt. Where would that leave the BCS?

I'm not sure, but that's what I call extra meaty.

So what do you need to know about the Horned Frogs?

Well, they won national titles in 1935, with Sammy Baugh at quarterback, and again in 1938, when Davey O'Brien won the Heisman Trophy.

They won four Southwest Conference titles in the 1950s. When the SWC broke up after the 1995 season to merge with the Big 8, TCU was one of four programs that got left out (along with SMU, Houston and Rice). TCU went 1-10 in 1997, with freshman LaDainian Tomlinson. The school has moved around from the Western Athletic to Conference USA to the Mountain West, and has won titles in each.

In the past six years, the Frogs have won 11 games four times. After twice winning 10 early in the century.

Now, they're No. 4, their highest ranking since 1956. They're also fourth in the BCS, the highest any team from a non-BCS conference has reached.

They also haven't been to a major bowl since the 1959 Cotton (0-0 tie against Air Force).

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