Four things to know about TCU’s next opponent, the SMU Mustangs
After a letdown performance in the second half of their Big 12 loss to UCF, the Horned Frogs have a chance to regain some momentum in Saturday’s rivalry game at SMU.
The Battle for the Iron Skillet is TCU’s last non-conference game before the focus solely turns to Big 12 opponents. The intensity around this game has only ratcheted up the last few years after Sonny Dykes left SMU for TCU and then the Horned Frogs announced last year that rivalry would be paused indefinitely after the 2025 matchup.
That means these last two games will have even more significance for the local fanbases, but beyond bragging rights, both teams desperately need to get back in the win column after disappointing home losses.
Here’s four things to know about TCU’s next opponent, the rival SMU Mustangs:
QB switch
To call the SMU’s early performance sluggish would probably be a kindness. The Mustangs scored just 15 points at home in a loss to BYU and needed a desperate fourth quarter comeback to avoid an upset at Nevada. The performances were enough to make coach Rhett Lashlee make the switch at quarterback from Preston Stone to Kevin Jennings.
Stone was a blue-chip recruit and was supposed to be the Mustangs’ answer at quarterback. Stone completed just 58% of his passes this season and threw for just 336 yards. Jennings’ numbers aren’t that much better as he’s only completed 57% of his passes for 342 yards. However, the offense had more scoring drives with Jennings leading the unit compared to Stone.
Jennings also adds an element as a runner with nearly 100 yards rushing on just 15 carries. With TCU having struggled to contain dual-threat quarterbacks so far, it makes sense for the Mustangs to go with Jennings.
Facing former Frogs
The Mustangs made waves last season when they landed former TCU players Jordan Hudson and Kyron Hudson in the transfer portal. Hudson was a top-100 recruit in the Class of 2022 and there was hope he could’ve developed into TCU’s next No. 1 receiver while Hudson was a three-star cornerback out of South Oak Cliff.
Hudson was solid, but not spectacular in his first season with SMU. He tied for a team-high seven touchdowns, but was just fifth on the roster with 425 receiving yards. Hudson had a respectable three receptions for 50 yards in the loss to TCU last season as well. This year hasn’t gotten off to the start Hudson has wanted as he has just three catches for 44 yards. There’s nothing more he would love than to have his breakout game come against his former team.
Hudson didn’t appear in a game last year and didn’t crack the team’s initial three-deep at the start of the season.
Talented tight end
While SMU has had its quarterback issues, the Mustangs aren’t devoid of talent at the receiver position. Tight end R.J. Maryland is the most notable name as his 162-yard performance helped spark the comeback against Nevada. The 6-foot-4, 233 pound tight end is a matchup nightmare that is too fast for linebackers and too big for safeties.
But as talented as Maryland is, the SMU offense hasn’t been able to get him the ball consistently. He’s been held to just one catch in the last few games and the Horned Frogs will look to emulate the success BYU had in limiting Maryland. Another skill player to know is running back Brashard Smith. Smith has rushed for 253 yards while averaging over seven yards per carry.
He’s also tied for the third-most receptions on the roster. The only other skill player with more than 100 yards is wide receiver Keyshawn Smith, who has 101 on six catches with a touchdown. The mild numbers speak more to SMU’s quarterback situation more than a lack of talent on offense.
Stout defense or weak competition?
So far the strength of the Mustangs appears to be on defense. SMU is allowing just 16.3 points per game and has been stout against the run and pass. Teams have only been able to rush for 105.3 yards per game and SMU is holding its opposition to just three yards per carry.
The secondary has been solid too, passers completing less than 49% of their attempts for just 158.3 yards per game. The Mustangs also already have four interceptions on the season, but while the numbers are impressive it’s important to add context. SMU hasn’t played a quality quarterback this year with Nevada being led by Colorado transfer Brendan Lewis. Yes, the same Lewis TCU faced in the 2022 opener in Boulder. There was a blowout against Houston Christian and then SMU faced Jake Retzlaff from BYU. Retzlaff ranks near the bottom of Big 12 quarterbacks, but was able to do enough to lead the Cougars to a win in Dallas.
Josh Hoover will easily be the best quarterback SMU has seen and will test the Mustangs’ secondary. But the Horned Frogs should have some concern about SMU’s run defense as TCU hasn’t been able to exert itself on the ground. If the Horned Frogs are forced to be one-dimensional against SMU, TCU could be in for another tight battle.
