Winning back the Iron Skillet came with an added bonus this year – a pass into the college football VIP section, the top 10.

Ranking No. 10 in the Associated Press poll after the Frogs’ fourth game marks the earliest the Frogs have placed this high since 1959, when the Frogs were ranked No. 9 after the first game of the season. If the team continues winning, it will be a contender for a BCS bowl bid coming from a non-automatic qualifying conference, annually reserved for the single best non-AQ team.

Staying in the top 10 means more than just the chance at one game. Keep an eye out for the Horned Frogs to receive more national attention on the major news networks. No longer will any ESPN analyst say that a TCU win is an upset.

More national exposure brings better marketability. Last season, Utah busted into the BCS party and upset the powerhouse Alabama and months later have former quarterback Brian Johnson on the cover of Electronic Arts’ NCAA 10 video game. If TCU stays in the top 10 for the rest of the season, make it to its first BCS bowl and win, get ready for NCAA 11 featuring Jerry Hughes on the cover.

Staying in the top 10 will jump-start the Frogs’ success next season. Boise State was the first to define what it means to be a BCS buster and now will always be given the benefit of the doubt in ranking. The Broncos are ranked No. 6 and were ranked as high as No. 5 yet only have one challenging win against Oregon. But they will probably stay in the top ten through the remainder of the season based on BCS busting ability.

TCU has much more riding on this season than just a birth in a good bowl game. Staying in the top 10 could revolutionize the TCU athletics experience forever, a change that is long overdue

Sports editor Travis L. Brown for the editorial board.