In the final scheduled meeting of a rivalry that dates back more than a century, TCU will host SMU on Saturday in Fort Worth, Texas.
Known as the “Battle for the Iron Skillet,” the series began in 1915 and has been played in all but seven years since. TCU has put the rivalry on hold to secure more home games.
“They’ve chosen not to play anymore,” said SMU coach Rhett Lashlee. “We’ll see what the future holds, but we’re playing this Saturday.”
SMU won last year’s game 66-42 on its way to the College Football Playoff, but the Horned Frogs lead the all-time series against the Mustangs with a record of 53-43-7.
Both teams are coming off of victories over FCS opponents last weekend.
TCU (2-0) claimed a 42-21 win — the 100th in coach Sonny Dykes’ career — over Abilene Christian. SMU (2-1) overcame a 10-0 first-quarter deficit to claim a 28-10 decision at Missouri State. Baylor had knocked SMU out of the Top 25 the week before with a 48-45 double-overtime victory.
Lashlee acknowledged the ups and downs of his team this season, pointing out that 42 of his 85 players are new. The Mustangs also have been hit with a rash of injuries.
“I still believe this team has a lot of potential,” Lashlee said. “We’ve got to keep working hard to get to that point.”
Lashlee said playing on the road against a good football team presented a difficult challenge.
“There is a lot of emotion around rivalry games when it comes to fan bases,” Lashlee said. “We’ve got to play with intensity and toughness and together. If we play good SMU football, we’ll give ourselves a chance to win.”
TCU could be without leading rusher Kevorian Barnes, who suffered a lower-body injury against Abilene Christian.
“We’re just trying to get him feeling better,” Dykes said Tuesday. “We’ll probably have a little bit more of a sense of where he’s going to be on Thursday.”
