After 14 days off, SMU returns to Ford Stadium Saturday afternoon for one of its most anticipated games of the season.
The Mustangs will host rival TCU in the penultimate Battle for the Iron Skillet where SMU will seek to bring the prize home for the first since 2021.
With both teams coming off narrow losses to power-conference opponents in their games prior, stakes are high before conference play ramps up next week.
Here are three keys for SMU in its matchup with TCU at 4 p.m. Saturday:
Limiting Josh Hoover, TCU receiving game
SMU’s defense will face its toughest test this year when sophomore quarterback Josh Hoover arrives at Ford Stadium.
After starting the final six games of the year for TCU last season, Hoover has taken significant strides in his first three starts this year, completing just shy of 70% of his passes for 1,022 yards and eight touchdowns with zero interceptions.
SMU’s coaching staff noted during the bye that limiting TCU’s receiving game will be key to having success against the Horned Frogs, especially receivers Jack Bech and Savion Williams, who have combined for over 500 yards and five touchdowns so far this season.
Safeties Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia are tied for the team lead in tackles this year (18 each) and will be called upon again for another big game Saturday.
Capitalize on run game
SMU should have a significant advantage in the run game, as TCU has struggled to keep up with opponents on the ground so far this year.
The Horned Frogs have been outgained 469-to-289 on the ground through three games this year and gave up 289 yards and two rushing touchdowns to UCF last week while rushing for just 58 yards of its own.
SMU has a deep running back room led by Brashard Smith, a Miami transfer with 253 yards and three touchdowns this year. Alongside LJ Johnson Jr. and Jaylan Knighton, those three backs should be able to capitalize on the advantage.
Additionally, SMU plans to start dual-threat quarterback Kevin Jennings, who is the team’s second-leading rusher so far this year with 96 yards and a touchdown. He should be able to put additional pressure on TCU’s defense.
Red zone efficiency
SMU’s fatal flaw in the 18-15 loss to BYU was its shortcomings in the red zone.
On five trips inside the 20, SMU scored just twice. Both times were field goals, as the Mustangs were unable to find the end zone all evening.
Turnovers and fourth-down stops plagued SMU when it got deep inside BYU territory. Against a more skilled TCU offense, SMU will have to do a better job of finishing its drives.
SMU had no issues in the red zone during its first two games against Nevada and Houston Christian, going 9-for-9. Despite facing a tougher test in TCU’s defense, it’ll need to channel some of the success it had earlier this season.
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