Poinsettia Bowl Tickets

2011 Poinsettia Bowl Preview The Texas Christian Horned Frogs will take on the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs in the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on December 21 at 8 p.m. (ET)

Initially, this looks like the mismatch of all mismatches. TCU has become a perennial top 25 team, and after a slow start this year following the loss of a number of graduated seniors, they really turned things on in the second half.

In fact, after such a sluggish start to the season, TCU ran the table in the Mountain West Conference and came up just short of the requirements necessary for a non-BCS team to quality for a BCS bowl game.

Then again, Louisiana Tech hasn't exactly been steamrolled by people, either. The Bulldogs lost very close games to Houston, Mississippi State and Southern Miss before winning their final seven games of the season.

In the end, TCU has more talent and has an outstanding coach. TCU has three very good running backs while the Bulldogs have trouble stopping the run. Major advantage, TCU.

Prediction: Texas Christian 41, Louisiana Tech 17