Waco, Texas ? Undefeated TCU quarterback Jeff Ballard doesn’t really know much about the old Southwest Conference rivalry between the Horned Frogs and Baylor. He was only 12 years old the last time the teams played.

So for Ballard and all the other youngsters who will be on the field today for the resumption of the series, here’s a primer.

The rivalry began in 1899 when both private Christian schools were located in Waco, and only got more intense when they played for seven decades in the SWC. Even though they haven’t met since the league disbanded after the 1995 season, it’s still the most-played series (103 games) for both schools. Baylor has a 49-47-7 edge.

“I guess we don’t get the full sense of it,” Ballard said. “But we do understand where (longtime fans) are coming from, and the pride they have in TCU vs. Baylor. … Just not as great an understanding as they do.”

Baylor coach Guy Morriss, a 1973 TCU graduate, took a few verbal jabs at his old school and Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson during the offseason. But he tried to downplay the old rivalry this week.

“I don’t know if I’ll be more gassed one way or another for them than any other team on our schedule,” Morriss said. “It is a game we need to win, to get on the right foot.”

Baylor hasn’t had a winning season since being part of the SWC exodus to the Big 12. The Bears have changed offenses since last year, switching to a passing-oriented scheme.

Rivalry aside, No. 22 TCU still has plenty of motivation.

TCU has won 10 straight games, the second-longest Division I-A streak behind the 21 in a row of defending national champion Texas. And with expanded BCS opportunities for teams outside the major conferences, the Frogs know they have to start strong – and stay that way.

“They won’t ask you when you didn’t get your chance to go to the BCS who your one loss was,” said TCU coach Gary Patterson. “You only get 12 of them. Baylor is the first one.”