No way BSU should be surpassed by TCU. It IS really unfortunate that Va Tech lost to JMU. Even though I honestly don't think BSU can compete with the Bama's, Ohio St, USC's in a national championship game, I believe ur appearance game would've been a HUGE catalyst to change to a playoff b/c one-loss Big 6 teams would've been trumped.
Now to the (key point), BSU along with Utah beat Okla and Bama, respectively, but motivation level changes in that atmosphere.