TCU vs. SMU
When: 4 p.m. at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas
Records: TCU (2-1), SMU (2-1)
Last meeting: Sept. 23, 2023
TV: The CW
What’s at stake?
TCU and SMU face off for the penultimate time in the 103rd Iron Skillet rivalry. The Horned Frogs are coming off a hard loss to UCF, fumbling a 21-point lead. Sonny Dykes also returns to his former home for the second time since joining TCU.
SMU is entering this matchup after a 14-day break and a sudden quarterback change. Against BYU, the Mustangs were unable to score on offense and all 15 points were from kicker Collin Rogers.
When TCU has the ball
Josh Hoover keeps improving, sitting at third in the nation in total passing yards with 1,022. He also has thrown eight touchdowns and no interceptions.
Most passing yards
— CFB Home (@CFBHome) September 18, 2024
1. Jaxson Dart (Ole Miss)- 1,172
2. Cam Ward (Miami FL)- 1,035
3. Josh Hoover (TCU)- 1,022
4. Shedeur Sanders (Colorado)- 999
5. Behren Morton (Texas Tech)- 974
6. Alan Bowman (Oklahoma State)- 967
7. Joey Aguilar (App St)- 964
8. Haynes King (GT)- 962
His ability to move the ball downfield is powered by WRs Savion Williams and Jack Bech, who had a career game last week with 200 yards and a touchdown on nine receptions. They have been lethal for opposing defenses, with their size and speed making them hard to tackle.
The Frogs have yet to find success in their run game.right tackle Mike Nichols said it’s because not everyone on the line was on the same page.
Dykes said he’s seen significant improvements during practice this week. The RB room with Cam Cook, Dominique Johnson and Jeremy Payne remains solid, with all three players seeing snaps every week.
When SMU has the ball
The Mustangs enter the matchup with a strong advantage over TCU: the run game.
Stopping the run game has plagued TCU’s defense since last season, and this remained true in loss to UCF last week.
SMU’s star RB, Miami transfer Brashard Smith, has 253 rushing yards and three touchdowns this season. QB Kevin Jennings, who is now starting for the Mustangs over Preston Stone, is also a dual-threat talent. He has 96 rushing yards and one touchdown. He’s the team’s second leading rusher.
The Mustangs also have a talented kicker, with Rogers drilling all five attempts against BYU. It’s crucial to have consistency in that position, as some games can be determined by that one kick.
Prediction
The outcome of the game will be determined by whether TCU’s defense can limit SMU’s rushing success. Last week exposed TCU’s defensive weaknesses and it’s crucial for the Horned Frogs to shape up for this week’s matchup.
SMU has struggled with consistency in the QB position, with Jennings in the starting lineup this week. The Horned Frogs’ offense will be too powerful with the success it’s had so far this season and will make up for any inconsistencies on defense.
Prediction: TCU 28 SMU 10
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