what would it take to make this matchup happen this year? texas loses in the big 12 championship?

What if Florida and Bama both dropped a game (probably won't happen now) and Texas and TCU stayed perfect? Could it happen then?

Probably not. If 1-loss Florida meets 1-loss Bama in the SEC championship, the winner almost certainly jumps TCU/Cincy. The only way a Texas-TCU NC happens is if one of the SEC teams loses two games, but then wins the SEC championship, and Cincy loses a game.

If Texas loses in the Big 12 Championship, there's a chance TCU plays for the NC. If Cincy stays unbeaten, and passes them for #2 (likely), both Texas and TCU would be at large teams, and the only way they could play each other is if the Sugar takes them both (the Rose will have the Big 10 and Pac-10 champs, the Fiesta will have the Big 12 champ, and the Orange will have the ACC champ).

That's pretty unlikely for two reasons: One, the Sugar would probably prefer to take an SEC team to replace the SEC champ they lose to the MNC. Two, even if they take a 1-loss Texas over an SEC at large, the Sugar bowl has the last pick among at large teams this year, so an unbeaten #3 in the country TCU would have to be less attractive to the other bowls than the other at large options (which probably only happens if USC and Penn St. are available, if then; or perhaps if Boise is more attractive than other at large possibilities and the Fiesta takes them over TCU).

The best chance for a Texas-TCU matchup is if Texas loses a game *before* the Big 12 championship, and goes to the Fiesta, while Cincy wins out and keeps TCU out of the title game. If the at large teams are, say, Florida/Bama, USC, and Boise St. (who sneak in because there aren't any better options), you could potentially have something like:

MNC: Florida/Bama vs. Cincy
Rose: Iowa/Ohio St. vs. Oregon
Orange: Georgia Tech vs. USC
Fiesta: Texas vs. TCU
Sugar: Florida/Bama vs. Boise St.

But even then, I think it's very possible that the Fiesta would take Boise St. instead of TCU; there's no rule that TCU has to be picked ahead of Boise, only that TCU must be picked.

The SEC has ensured themselves of having a team in the NC game. After the Arky game everybody got to talking about the officials as it was obvious Florida got a lot of help on that last drive. SEC commissioner Clive made a public announcement that if another coach even commented on the officiating they would be fined. The writing on the wall said "we are trying to accomplish something here so just be quiet". Urban Meyer, although he had no reason to gripe after the Arky game, was made into the example. Then LSU had a perfect opportunity taken away from them on the interception that was missed. Now two unbeaten teams will play for the SEC championship game. One will be undefeated in the BCS NC game and the other will have one loss in the Sugar Bowl. Pretty smart on Commish Clive's part if you ask me. More money for the conference. I wonder what his cut will be?

this would be a good game to watch...Both defenses could hold the offenses. The game would be won on a punt return by shipley

Or just by Texas winning!

TCU!!!!

I would completely love if this happened. But for the matchup itself would be amazing... Unfortunately Texas D would hold the Frogs out of business.