If Gary Patterson and TCU are going to finish the year undefeated, it's going to be tough road. Three of the four teams left on their schedule still have the ability to make a bowl game.

The Horned Frogs first test will be this weekend in San Diego State. The Aztecs are 4-4 and are coming off two big wins that make a bowl appearances seem like a reality.

"Anytime we have gone to San Diego, it has been a tough ball game. In 2005, it was 23-20. The last time we went there, in 2007, we were down 17-0 and had to win to go to a bowl game," said Gary Patterson during his weekly media press conference. "Like I said two weeks ago before we played BYU, this last stretch was going to be hard and here we go. Each week is something different. It poses its own problems. This week is no different. We understand we are going to have to fight, claw, scratch and get everything we can to try and come back with one more point. "

TCU, who once again is sporting the best defense in the nation, main focus will be on the San Diego State's skill players. The Aztecs are averaging just under 35 points a game in their last four contests.

"They have always had great talent. They always have a quarterback, skill players and can run around on defense. It's never changed. Two or three years ago they had six players drafted, the most in the conference," said Patterson. "You can tell they have changed as a team by the way they played on the road at Air Force. They are 3-1 at home and 4-4 overall. They have a chance to get two more wins and go to a bowl game. "

While TCU has easily beaten teams with similar records this season, their attention can not slip to their big match-up with Utah next weekend. As the Horned Frogs get closer and closer to an undefeated season, the "X" on their back gets larger and larger.

"Everyone left on the schedule, with the exception of New Mexico, is playing for something. San Diego State is playing for a bowl game. Wyoming is 4-4 and they will be playing for a bowl game. Utah is playing for a conference title and to go to a big bowl game," said Patterson. "When you play teams at this time of year and everyone is playing for a bowl game, every week is a fist fight. Why would you want it any different? Like I said earlier this season, if we are going to do it, it's going to be the hard way."

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