TCU preview: Inside the SMU matchup
SMU quarterback Matt Davis vs. the TCU defense
Sure, Davis won’t have to try and beat the entire defense by himself, but the Frogs will have their hands full in trying to slow down the dual-threat quarterback. Davis, who transferred to SMU from Texas A&M, has been the best offensive threat for the Mustangs in their first two games. Not only has Davis thrown for four touchdowns, but he’s also the team’s leading rusher. Davis has run for 240 yards and two touchdowns and is averaging 5.9 yards a carry. TCU hasn’t faced a quarterback like him yet this season.
TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin vs. the SMU secondary
The Mustangs had their hands full in their season opener against Baylor as the Bears rolled up 423 yards in passing offense. Boykin, who threw four touchdown passes in just over a half against Stephen F. Austin, faces an SMU secondary that has some talent in in cornerback Horace Richardson and safety Darrion Richardson. But the Mustangs also start a sophomore at one corner spot and a redshirt freshman at safety. That could lead to another big day for Boykin and the deep TCU receiving unit.
TCU vs. the Skillet Expectations
Despite what TCU head coach Gary Patterson says and the buzz surrounding new SMU head coach Chad Morris, this game is a mismatch. But Patterson knows better to fall into that kind of trap, especially against the Frogs’ biggest non-conference rival. All TCU has to do is look to 2011, when Mustangs came to Fort Worth and knocked off TCU, ending the team’s 22 home-game winning streak. There’s no way Patterson hasn’t mentioned that to his team a time or hundred leading up to Saturday’s game.
Did you know
TCU outside receivers coach Rusty Burns was SMU’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2004-2007.
TCU is 14-4 against SMU since the two teams parted ways after the Southwest Conference dissolved after the 1995 season.
The Frogs are one of three schools ranked in the top 20 in total offense and total defense. TCU is 17th in both catergories.
The Frogs’ propensity for scoring early continued against SFA. TCU has scored a touchdown in 15 consecutive first quarters. That’s the second-longest streak in the country (USC, 16).
SMU quarterback Matt Davis has been the leading rusher for the Mustangs in nine consecutive games.
For us, we’ve just got to keep winning. Because if we don’t keep winning, nobody cares anyway.
TCU coach Gary Patterson
The basics
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth (45,000)
Records: SMU (1-1); TCU (2-0)
Last week: SFA beat North Texas 31-13; TCU beat Stephen F. Austin 70-7
Rankings: TCU, No. 3 AP; SMU not ranked
Series record: TCU leads 47-40-7
Last meeting: TCU won 56-0 at SMU last year
TV: FSSW
Radio: WBAP 820 AM and KTCU 88.7 FM; Sirius 108 and XM 199
Expected forecast: 85 with a 50 percent chance of rain
Point spread: TCU by 37
This story was originally published September 16, 2015 at 10:28 AM with the headline "TCU preview: Inside the SMU matchup."