Four matchups that will decide TCU vs. SMU
Among the most fascinating things about this year’s Iron Skillet Battle is the individual matchups that could define it.
Think of them as the games within the game in a sense. On both rosters you have players who have a strong case at being some of the best in their respective conferences.
There’s two experienced quarterbacks, arguably the nation’s top receiver and corner plus a battle in the trenches that could be going underrated.
The more of these matchups TCU can win, the greater chance they have of snapping the two-game losing streak to their cross-metro rival.
A look a look atthe four matchups:
Max Duggan vs. Tanner Mordecai
With Chandler Morris being ruled out Tuesday, Duggan gets another crack at SMU after losing to Mordecai last year in Fort Worth. The two were about even in their performance during the shootout, but Mordecai made just enough plays with five total touchdowns to lead the Mustangs to their first back-to-back wins over TCU since 1992-93.
Mordecai is third in the country in passing yards (1,013) and tied for second in touchdowns (10) through three games. TCU coach Sonny Dykes shared insight on what makes his former quarterback so effective.
“He’s talented, he has a really good arm. He’s really fast, when he pulls the ball down and turns the corner he can make some big plays. He’s got a lot better speed than people think he does. He’s an accurate thrower, anticipates throws and gets the ball out on time,” Dykes said.
Duggan is no slouch either as Saturday will be his 31st start. He’s coming off a career performance against Tarleton, where he set new records for yards and touchdowns. Duggan’s experience offsets any questions about the quality of competition he’s faced this year. He’s already proven he can move the ball against the SMU defense and the offense is in good hands.
One thing to watch will be turnovers. SMU was able to win last year despite losing the turnover battle by three. Duggan’s fumble to start the third quarter was the only one for TCU, but it was crucial as the Mustangs took a 28-21 lead right after and started to run away with the game. He’ll have to avoid those type of plays because Mordecai has shown a tendency to give the ball up.
His three turnovers against Maryland helped the Terps knock off SMU last Saturday. These two quarterbacks combined for eight touchdowns last year and could have similar performances on Saturday.
Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson vs. Rashee Rice
Talk about good-on-good and best vs. best. Matchups don’t get much better than seeing these premiere perimeter athletes go head-to-head. Rice is currently the leading receiver in the country with 491 yards and three touchdowns. Hodges-Tomlinson is a two-time All-Big 12 corner and has excelled in TCU’s new defense so far.
It will be all hands on deck to slow Rice down.
“What makes him good is what makes receivers really good. He’s very competitive, if the ball is in the air he views it as his ball and not a 50-50 ball. He’s got really strong hands and he’s got really good body control. He can contort his body and do a really good job of catching the ball off balance or throws behind him,” Dykes said.
Hodges-Tomlinson is also strong at attacking the ball and has great technique to contest catches or pick off passes. Rice will line up mostly outside, but according to Pro Football Focus he’s taken almost 30 snaps at the slot. Wherever he’s lined up, Mordecai is going to find him, but Dykes says having a corner like Hodges-Tomlinson gives him some confidence that TCU can slow down one of the country’s best.
“To me that’ll be one of the fun matchups to watch. To see Rashee vs. our corners. It’ll be a big challenge, but I think they’re excited about it and looking forward to it,” Dykes said.
Steve Avila/Alan Ali vs. Elijah Chatman
Senior defensive tackle Elijah Chatman is a disruptive force for SMU in the middle. Chatman is currently third in the American with 2.5 sacks and is one of the key pieces TCU will have to neutralize up front.
Chatman moves around from nose tackle to defensive tackle, depending on SMU’s alignment. There will be more than enough snaps where he’ll find himself matched up with Avila, arguably TCU’s best lineman, or Ali, his former teammate.
Avila says Ali has been a major asset in helping TCU prepare for what Chatman and the rest of the SMU front bring to the table.
“He’s played a major role in our preparation for this game along with our coaches. They know their defense more than we do, going against them for X amount of years. They know the strengths and the weaknesses of their defense and we kind of lean towards them,” Avila said.
Neutralizing Chatman will be beneficial for the run game and keeping Duggan upright.
Joe Gillespie vs. Rhett Lashlee/Casey Woods
Not only is Dykes facing his former program, he’s also facing his former offensive coordinator in Lashlee. Lashlee served under Dykes in 2018 and 2019 before taking the offensive coordinator job at the University of Miami. Lashlee’s offense played a big role in SMU winning 10 games in 2019. The Mustangs averaged 41.9 points per game that year and also beat TCU 41-38.
That’s where Gillespie comes into the picture. In the 2018 matchup between SMU and Tulsa, Gillespie’s defense held SMU to 24 points and 61 rushing yards. The Mustangs were 6-of-16 on third and fourth downs. The following year Lashlee fared much better as SMU won 43-37 in overtime. SMU struggled on third down, converting only five times in 20 attempts. The Mustangs offset that by going six of seven on fourth down.
In a game with two high-powered offenses, how the TCU defense fares in these situational aspects will be key. SMU will likely score points and pile up yards, but when the Horned Frogs have a chance to get off the field the defense must capitalize. After giving up at least 40 points in the two last two games, if TCU is able to hold SMU to 30 or below, the odds increase for a victory.
This story was originally published September 22, 2022 at 4:50 AM.
