I agree that the conference deserves some cred for stepping it up this year, but I would add UT to the list of pussies that didn't take on a quality team this season. TCU is no better than 4th in the MWC, and that isn't sufficient to buy a pass off the list.
The other teams on their OOC were Ark State, Central Florida (who almost beat them), and Rice. That schedule is a disgrace for a team that aspires to fit into the MNC picture every year.
TCU has had an off year this year, but they were the MWC favorites coming into the season. There was even some talk of them being BCS busters this year. Obviously that has not occurred, but they were most definitely considered a quality team coming into the season.
Hell, I'm not sure they're any worse than Miami at this stage. If you're going to give credit Aggy and OU for playing Miami, you might as well give credit to Texas for playing TCU.
Look at OU's schedule besides Miami: North Texas, Utah State, and Tulsa. North Texas and Utah State are two of the very worst teams in Division 1-A football.