SMU Mustangs @ TCU Horned Frogs Preview

Photo Via smads07 Via Flickr

The SMU Mustangs (2-1 overall 0-0 AAC) will travel to Fort Worth, TX to take on the TCU Horned Frogs (2-1 overall 1-0 Big 12) in the Battle for the Iron Skillet. These two teams have faced each other every year since 1925 except for four years: 1987, 1988, 2006, and 2020. SMU won back-to-back games in 2019 and 2021 for the first time since 1992-1993. The head coach for SMU in 2019 and 2021: current TCU head coach Sonny Dykes.

BROADCAST INFORMATION:

- 12:00 PM Eastern Time Kickoff on FS1

- Eric Collins and Devin Gardner will be on the call for FS1.

- On the SMU side the radio broadcast will be on FM 96.7 and AM 1310. On the TCU side, the radio broadcast will be on FM 88.7 and AM 820.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

TCU leads the all-time series with a 52-42-7 record. The Mustangs are looking to regain the Iron Skillet after suffering a home loss to TCU last year, 42-34. While these two teams have not been in the same conference for years, they have kept their rivalry going year after year. However, when the current contract expires after the 2025 season, TCU reportedly has decided to put a “pause” on the rivalry starting in 2026.

KEY PLAYERS-SMU Mustangs

QB Preston Stone – SMU

WR Jake Bailey – SMU

Key players - TCU Horned Frogs

QB Chandler Morris – TCU

LB Johnny Hodges – TCU

KEY MATCHUPS:

SMU quarterback Preston Stone against the TCU secondary. TCU ranks 122nd in the country in passing yards given up on defense with 304 per game. SMU, on the other hand, is 25th in the country in passing yards on offense with 295.7 yards per game. The TCU front seven has to put pressure on Stone if they want to slow down that Mustang passing attack.

TCU running back Emani Bailey has 357 rushing yards already in 2023. The SMU defense is averaging only 103.7 rushing yards per game given up, good for 38th in the country. For TCU to be successful in this game Bailey will need to have a solid outing running the ball. Look for SMU linebacker Ahmad Walker and defensive tackle Kori Roberson, Jr. to try to stifle Bailey and the Horned Frogs on the ground.

PREDICTION:

While TCU’s offense put up great numbers on offense, the Horned Frog’s defense was scorched in the opening loss to Colorado. The TCU defense tightened up in the last two games against Nicholls and Houston. However, neither of those offenses can stack up to the SMU offense that the Horned Frogs will face Saturday. The passing game of SMU is very good and will give fits to TCU. Dykes, an Air Raid specialist, may have trouble cracking the SMU secondary, which I think will be the difference in the game. I just don’t see TCU matching SMU score for score. SMU pulls the upset in Ft. Worth! 37-34