Steven Johnson: An early look at TCU’s next opponent, SMU
The stakes for the 2022 edition of the Iron Skillet Rivalry are higher than previous years.
From the TCU perspective, the Horned Frogs are determined to snap a two-game losing streak to the Mustangs.
For SMU, it’s about facing former head coach Sonny Dykes who constructed most of the roster before taking over at TCU.
These storylines alone make the game one of the most interesting on TCU’s schedule and that’s before we get to some of the players involved from both rosters.
The betting line has reflected that. SMU opened as a slight 1.5-point favorite, but now the game is essentially a pick’ em.
Here’s what stands out about SMU:
Rice is a machine
SMU receiver Rashee Rice sits atop the nation in receiving yards with 491 yards in just three games. Whether it’s big plays over the top or making tough, contested catches Rice can do it all. In the Mustangs’ loss to Maryland, Rice had 11 receptions for 193 yards. It’s a surprise he didn’t add a touchdown.
As good as Rice is, the SMU offense is heavily reliant on Rice. He has a team-high 28 receptions, the next receiver only has eight. While Rice has almost 500 yards receiving, no other receiver has more than 150. Is Rice that good or is there something lacking with the other weapons on the perimeter? It’s probably a mixture of both and stopping Rice will be the top mission for defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie.
Experienced QB
TCU fans are very familiar with Tanner Mordecai. He threw four touchdowns in the win for SMU last season, but also tossed three interceptions. Mordecai had a similar performance against Maryland on Saturday when he threw three touchdowns, but also had three turnovers that paved the way to SMU’s first loss of 2022.
After throwing for 39 touchdowns under Dykes last season, Mordecai is well on his way to matching that with 10 touchdowns through the air already. Mordecai isn’t a huge rushing threat, but knows how to use his mobility in the pocket to create more throwing lanes and buy time for receivers like Rice. Mordecai could be one of the top quarterbacks TCU faces all year.
Exploitable run defense?
It’s early, but the SMU run defense has left much to be desired against Division I FBS competition. According to TeamRankings.com, which only grades games between FBS programs, SMU is allowing more than five yards per carry. Maryland rushed more than 200 as Roman Hemby had a big night with 151 yards. Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa added 50 more.
North Texas also topped 200 yards in a loss to SMU at the beginning of the season. Those numbers suggest that TCU could have an advantage at the line of scrimmage with its running backs. With the running game being effective, Maryland also was able to have success with run-pass options (RPO). A similar gameplan could bode well for Max Duggan.
More names to watch
SMU has more pieces on its roster outside of Mordecai and Rice. Defensively senior defensive lineman Elijah Chatman is the Mustangs’ best pass rusher. Chatman has 2.5 sacks in three games. Dykes brought Isaac Slade-Matautia over from Oregon in 2021 and he’s on pace to have a career-year. Slade-Matautia leads SMU with 22 total tackles. Jimmy Phillips is another productive linebacker for SMU.
Offensively, SMU will use a running back by committee approach led by Tre Siggers. Siggers had 86 yards against Maryland. Velton Gardner, TJ McDaniel and Alabama transfer Camar Wheaton fill out the rest of the rotation. SMU is middle of the pack in that regard, but will keep defenses honest with the ground game.
