TCU prepares for biggest test of the season in Iron Skillet matchup against SMU
TCU started the college football season off with two dominating wins over North Carolina and Abilene Christian, but faces the biggest test of its young season on Saturday against SMU.
Last season, SMU routed TCU 66-42, and though he didn’t play in that game, sophomore cornerback Vernon Glover said he’s ready to help the Horned Frogs exact revenge, but also acknowledged that there was no extra juice because of the rivalry between the two DFW-based schools.
“It don’t matter who’s on the schedule, we gotta go 1-0,” said Glover. “Last year, it left a bad taste. I ain’t get to play last year, but I know my teammates they have a bad taste in their mouth, so we're tryna go and bust them in the mouth.”
SMU, playing in the ACC, came into 2025 with lofty expectations after making the College Football Playoff for the first time in school history last season, but has had mixed results through three games this year.
The Mustangs started the season ranked No. 17 on the AP Top 25 poll, but after opening with a 42-13 win over East Texas A&M the Mustangs lost to Baylor 48-45 in double overtime, knocking them out of the Top 25. Last week SMU beat Missouri State 28-10.
While a loss to a Big 12 opponent knocked the Mustangs out of the rankings, a second defeat could possibly propel the Horned Frogs into the Top 25.
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings will lead the best offense the Horned Frogs’ defense has faced this year.
“I can say it brings us a good challenge, I guess. But again, you don’t. We don’t care who on the schedule. We’re trying to go win,” Glover said. “To other people? It might be a shock, but we already know what we capable of.
After two impressive wins to start the season, a third victory over a team previously ranked could push the Horned Frogs into the top 25 for the first time since the 2023 season — and return the Iron Skillet to Fort Worth.
TCU’s offense has been hot, scoring an average of 45 points. Wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV is coming off the first 100-yard game of his career, and he knows what the Horned Frogs have to do to continue their success.
SMU is “just another team on our schedule,” Manjack said. “We just got to do what we do. Keep executing and doing your job every single day at practice, and it carries over to the game.”
The Horned Frogs have talked about the lack of respect they’ve received, and while a win over SMU won’t automatically reverse national opinions, it certainly wouldn’t hurt.
TCU is favored by 7 to win the game, which kicks off at 11 a.m. Saturday at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth.
This story was originally published September 17, 2025 at 4:57 PM.
