College Fooball SMQ: 5 best realignment moves in modern college football history
By Zach Bigalke
Like Utah, TCU was another team that went from BCS Buster to the power conference ranks. Unlike the Utes, however, the Horned Frogs had a far more nomadic modern existence. The move to the Big 12 in 2012 was TCU’s fourth conference realignment in less than two decades.
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After the Southwest Conference imploded following the 1995 season, TCU missed out on inclusion in the Big 12 when it first formed. Instead, the Horned Frogs became part of a failed experiment to create a 16-team Western Athletic Conference. Within three years, the WAC saw all of its original members splinter off to form the Mountain West.
That left TCU behind once again. After the WAC absorbed the remnants of the dissolving Big West, the Horned Frogs left for Conference USA. It was there that Gary Patterson first made his mark after taking over for Dennis Franchione. As a C-USA member, the Horned Frogs went 10-2 in 2002 and 11-2 in 2003 to threaten the BCS order.
After moving to Mountain West in 2005, though, TCU really took off. The Horned Frogs won the MWC in four out of their seven seasons in the conference. In 2009 and 2010, TCU finished undefeated in the regular season to reach the BCS both years. Patterson’s squad lost to Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl the first year, while they beat Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day 2011.
The Horned Frogs needed just three years after transitioning to share the Big 12 title in 2014. They took down Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl, and they continue to be the anchor in the DFW Metroplex that helps to anchor the league.