The TCU Horned Frogs host the SMU Mustangs in the annual Battle for the Iron Skillet football game in Fort Worth on Saturday morning.
The Horned Frogs have struggled defensively to open the season and will face one of their biggest challenges yet as the Mustangs cross the metroplex.
“[They’re] Really efficient offensively and do a good job of taking care of the ball,” TCU head coach Sonny Dykes told media members of the Mustangs earlier this week. “They don’t have many turnovers. Just a really good, solid football team and a team that’s going to be difficult to beat.”
SMU enters the game with the 31st-ranked offense in the country, averaging 46.3 yards per game and scoring 39.3 points per game. Oklahoma was the only defense to shut down the Mustangs’ offense, and SMU responded with a 69-point outburst the following week.
TCU has been known as one of the better defensive teams in the Big 12 but struggled in its season opener against Colorado, allowing 565 yards in a 45-42 loss.
Since then, the Horned Frogs’ defense has been airtight, allowing just 12 points and 529 yards (36 fewer than they did against the Buffaloes) with no touchdowns over their last two games.
“Part of it has to do with the opponents, and the last two weeks probably haven’t been the two best teams we’re going to face offensively this year, but it’s hard not to give up a touchdown in a college football game, no matter what,” Dykes explained. “I think a lot of it’s confidence and just guys playing more settled. The first game, we were very much unsettled, and I don’t think that’s indicative of the kind of defense we have.”
The run defense has been particularly stellar this season, holding each opponent under 90 yards rushing. However, the pass defense has given up yardage in bunches, and SMU has an offense that loves to take shots in the passing game. Still, SMU knows it must be careful as the TCU defense gains confidence.
“There’s a little bit of frustration because of the lack of explosive plays that they give you, but that’s the design of the defense,” SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods told the media on Wednesday. “They’re really well-coached. They do what they do, and they do it efficiently. … There’s got to be an element of patience when you face a team like this.”
Regardless of SMU’s approach to the game, TCU needs both sides of the ball to come ready to play as it faces one of SMU’s best teams in years on Saturday.
“We’ve got to be excited to play. That’s where it always starts,” Dykes told the media. “We’ve got to play physical and got to play tough. We have to continue to make fewer mistakes. … SMU does a really nice job taking care of the football, and we’re going to need to do the same thing and create some turnovers defensively for ourselves.”
TCU (2-1) and SMU (2-1) are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium.
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EXTRA POINTS
— A Miami (FL) player is petitioning the NCAA for a ninth year of eligibility.
— LSU safety Greg Brooks had surgery to remove a brain tumor.
— Dartmouth head football coach Buddy Teevens died at 66 after being injured in a bike accident in March.
— Oklahoma quarterback Dylan Gabriel and wide receiver Nick Anderson received weekly awards from the Big 12.
— Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive tackle Warren Sapp wants to join Colorado’s coaching staff next season.
