Frog Recap: What we learned from TCU’s disastrous loss at SMU

The Horned Frogs were undisciplined and outmatched in their 66-42 loss to the Mustangs on Saturday.

TCU football sank to a new low on Saturday evening, allowing a record number of points to SMU during a 66-42 loss to the Mustangs in the Battle for the Iron Skillet. The 66 points were the most ever allowed by a TCU defense in the rivalry’s history. The Horned Frogs were completely out of sorts in the game, committing five turnovers on offense in addition to 13 penalties, two of which were called on head coach Sonny Dykes for unsportsmanlike conduct. TCU gave up a punt return for a touchdown and lost by three scores despite outgaining the Mustangs 480-375 in total yards. Now 2-2 on the season with only one FBS victory (Stanford), TCU must regroup for a Big 12 matchup against Kansas at Arrowhead Stadium. Here are the biggest things we learned from Saturday’s shocking loss at SMU.

The run defense has become a major concern for Andy Avalos

TCU was gashed on the ground for the second straight week, conceding 238 rushing yards after allowing 298 rushing yards in a 35-34 loss against UCF last weekend. The Horned Frog defense failed to control the line of scrimmage and had no answer for Brashard Smith, who ran for 127 yards and three touchdowns and averaged 7.1 yards per carry. The Mustangs carried the ball 42 times and averaged 5.7 yards per carry as a team, often gaining first downs against a 3-3-5 defensive alignment that failed to have more than seven or eight players in the box. Defensive tackles Tymon Mitchell and Hakeem Ajijolaiya combined for just two tackles, while Markis Deal ended the game without a single tackle. Additionally, TCU finished without a sack for the second straight week as well, another sign that the scouting report is clear when facing the Horned Frogs: Run the football. Until TCU adjusts and stacks the box to stop the run, teams will continue to attack through the trenches.

TCU’s one-dimensional offense is placing too much pressure on Josh Hoover

Josh Hoover had his first rough outing of the season on Saturday, completing 28-of-43 passes for 396 yards with three touchdowns, two interceptions and a fumble lost. Hoover looked off from the start, missing multiple open receivers and sailing a pair of throws that were ultimately picked off, with one going back for a touchdown. Making matters worse for the TCU offense was the continued inability to run the football. Cam Cook finished with just 24 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. The Horned Frogs didn’t receive anything meaningful from their other backs either, as Trey Sanders and Dominique Johnson combined for just 12 rushing yards. While SMU controlled the trenches on offense, the Mustang defensive line didn’t allow TCU’s offensive line to generate any real movement. Because TCU can’t run the ball right now, the weight of the entire offense is falling on Hoover, who’s eclipsed 40 pass attempts in three of the team’s four games. Whether it means changing the starting five up front or utilizing more jet sweeps or outside run concepts, TCU will not win many games if it continues being this one-dimensional.

The hot seat should be warming up for head coach Sonny Dykes

Sonny Dykes became the first head coach to be ejected from a football game due to drawing two unsportsmanlike conduct fouls. Despite his best efforts to hype up the TCU fans in the stands with his pumped fists as he departed the field, Dykes failed in his duties to prepare his team. The 13 penalties were a new season high for the Horned Frogs, who are now averaging 7.5 penalties per game this season. TCU has also had 100 or more yards in penalties on two separate occasions in 2024. Looking at the bigger picture, TCU is now 7-10 over its last 17 games dating back to the 65-7 loss to Georgia in the national championship. Dykes receiving a contract extension after the 2022 season, but after a lackluster 2023 campaign where TCU went 5-7 and failed to make a bowl game, Saturday’s loss to SMU is a new low point in Dykes’ coaching tenure with the Horned Frogs. If TCU continued to implode the way it did on Saturday, and should the team fail to make a bowl again, there will be serious questions about Dykes’ fitness to remain the program’s head coach.