The staff gives thoughts ahead of the 103rd Battle for the Iron Skillet
Now through the First Quarter of the 2024 season, what’s your assessment of the Horned Frogs?
- Anthony: This squad has the ingredients to be a problem for anyone on its schedule, but it still needs that killer instinct and situational awareness – from the staff and the players – necessary to realize that potential. If that sloppiness can get cleaned up for the rest of the season, I still see big things ahead for the Frogs.
- Austin: The offense is better than I expected. Josh Hoover and the receiving core are better than advertised. Also, the quintet up front has held up quite well—Hoover has only been sacked once! However, the defense is another story. Against their first quality opponent, the Horned Frogs failed to stop the rush and allowed numerous big passing plays. The interior line has struggled, forcing the linebackers and safeties to corral running backs five-plus yards down the field. Back to the offense, the Horned Frogs run game has looked subpar. I expected a Cam Cook breakout, but he hasn’t got it going after three contests.
- Drew: The passing attack has impressed, especially without much help from the running game. Josh Hoover has taken a big step forward and the pass protection unit has been better than expected. I did expect the defense to be better against the run considering the depth and talent at linebacker. The pass rush is much improved which is an encouraging sign. I think this is an improved team overall from 2023 on both sides of the ball.
- Russ: I think the team has improved slightly from last season, but TCU has also faced two mediocre opponents. There are flashes of potential on both sides of the ball, and the play on special teams has been excellent so far, but the UCF loss showed that the Horned Frogs still have work to do in order to be competitive with the best in the Big 12.
- Wyatt: Josh Hoover is that dude. The passing game is lethal, but TCU’s offense is very one-dimensional without a strong run game. Despite their struggles last week, I still believe this defense is much improved from last year. I think TCU has what it takes to beat any team on any day. It just comes down to execution.
What about TCU’s loss to UCF concerned you most as the Frogs look to turn the page for this road rivalry match up and the remainder of the Big 12 slate? Any encouraging takeaways to suggest a bounce back?
- Anthony: Upon reflection, I think it’s more likely those teams see each other again in Arlington than TCU spirals and falls short of a bowl. Jefferson-Harvey-Hudson is the best QB-RB-WR trio that the Frogs will face all season and may have been uniquely capable of pulling off that comeback. Certainly hate falling on the wrong side of the result last week, it eliminates your room for any more clunkers, but there’s still lots of football to play. While there’s plenty to clean up (the inability to run the ball or stop the run to close out an opponent; questionable coaching decisions), there’s also big positives to build upon (Josh Hoover & his targets). On to the next.
- Austin: The fourth-quarter collapse. After dominating for much of the game, the offense stalled, and the defense caved. TCU has done a great job of not turning the ball over and limiting penalties, but they need to do a better job closing games. Two seasons ago, TCU consistently won close games. In a toss-up Big 12, the Horned Frogs must regain the late-game heroics. The most encouraging takeaway is the Horned Frogs can pass on any defense. The Knights were the staunchest team against the pass a season ago, and the Horned Frogs still recorded over 400 yards through the air.
- Drew: What concerns me the most is the inability to stop the run defensively. That paired with an inability to run the football on offense make me nervous that the Frogs could struggle to hold on to leads this season.
- Russ: Blowing a 21-point lead at home is unacceptable against any opponent. While UCF deserves credit for the way it ran the football and finished drives during the second half, TCU should not have been in a position where a 58-yard field goal attempt from a true freshman kicker is what decides the game at the end. My greatest concern right now is TCU’s continued resistance to running the football, particularly in the red zone.
- Wyatt: The run game. The defense was gassed trying to stop the run, and the offense couldn’t stay on the field to give them a break. Late in the game, TCU called a time-out right before punting the ball, to give the defense a couple more minutes of rest. The inability to run the ball on offense and control the clock allowed UCF to come back and win the game.
This is the penultimate scheduled Battle for the Iron Skillet, with the rivalry not renewed beyond 2025. Now that the Mustangs have joined the ACC, should the programs reconsider a home-and-home schedule in the future?
- Anthony: Unfortunately, since announcing the pause, TCU has not scheduled a meaningful game as replacement, instead booking home games vs. Arkansas State and Sam Houston in 2026-27. It’s still what makes sense for both sides, as most seasons either will have to be conference champs to earn a Playoff bid. Until a time comes when SMU is a consistent ACC title contender (if the ACC remains a power league), there remains little benefit to TCU in scheduling this Super Bowl opportunity for the Ponies.
- Austin: Absolutely. SMU is perhaps the TCU’s biggest rival. Fort Worth vs. Dallas, the Iron Skillet, 100-plus meetings, this rivalry is full-fledged. Inter-conference matchups haven’t deterred the programs before, and they shouldn’t in the future. SMU joining the ACC should have nothing to do with the Battle for the Iron Skillet.
- Drew: I think TCU should consider it in the future if SMU settles in as at least an average ACC team. The SMU win needs to add to the resume in order for the home-and-home schedule to be worth it for the Frogs.
- Russ: I think it will depend on how well SMU performs in the new ACC. As it stands, beating SMU does nothing to boost TCU’s resume for the postseason, while a win for the Mustangs is usually considered an upset and a knock on the Horned Frogs. Should SMU gain footing and become a competitive ACC club, then I’d consider continuing the game. Otherwise, I’d rather see TCU take on more marquee opponents in nonconference play.
- Wyatt: Yes. I think SMU joining a Power 4 conference, along with the new playoff format, and TCU should continue to schedule SMU. Non-conference games are no longer as important to make the playoff because if you win the Big 12, you are in. I also do not want to see another historic rivalry go away, especially since we are losing so many due to realignment.
SMU is making a change at QB, replacing Preston Stone with Kevin Jennings after the lackluster offensive performances to open the season. Will this present a greater challenge to the TCU defense?
- Anthony: UCF gave a pretty clear blueprint to attack the Horned Frogs defense: pound the run, QB runs, play action, and RPOs, which Jennings may be better able to execute at a high level. Even with its stable of blue chip prospects at the skill position, it’s only been TE RJ Maryland put that pedigree on display so far this season. If all those recruiting stars translate into production on Saturday, the Mustangs offense can certainly take advantage of TCU.
- Austin: After Kevin Jennings’ performance last week, he may not be the better option. Jennings completed less than 50 percent of his passes and tossed an interception. However, Jennings does pose a greater threat using his legs than Preston Stone. The Horned Frogs have been beaten bad rushing quarterbacks in the past. Thus, Jennings may cause some frustration for the TCU defense.
- Drew: Neither quarterback has looked great to start the season, but I think the Frogs matched up better against Stone than Jennings. TCU has a strong pass rush this season and the offense that SMU runs with Stone at quarterback involves more drop back passing that the pass rush could take advantage of. Jennings is a mobile quarterback and SMU runs more quick game and quarterback runs with him at the helm, limiting the damage the pass rush will be able to do.
- Russ: Given how poorly TCU defended the run against UCF last weekend, I’d be worried about Kevin Jennings hurting the Horned Frogs with his legs. While Ashton Daniels didn’t do much through the air against TCU, he did run for nearly 100 yards, so I think the Horned Frogs will have a tougher time handling dual-threat quarterbacks as opposed to pro-style quarterbacks like Preston Stone.
- Wyatt: I think Jennings’ running ability could prove troublesome for the Frogs. The TCU defense struggled with KJ Jefferson and Ashton Daniels this season, both of which are mobile Quarterbacks. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if SMU ran both quarterbacks, Jennings and Stone on Saturday.
Offensive MVP vs. SMU
- Anthony: Cam Cook. “I heard you was talkin’ trash. Hold me back I’m bout to spaz.” We’ll have spent the whole week talking about how poor the run game has been to open the season and Cook will answer the bell by controlling the game on the ground, slicing through the SMU defense.
- Austin: The offensive line. Instead of a singular player, the entire front must play well to secure this victory. The Mustangs have been stout against the run and have accumulated five sacks through the first three weeks of the season. It goes without saying a formidable offensive line is important in the trenches, but without an apt run game, the line must allow Hoover ample time to throw.
- Drew: It has to be Josh Hoover. The running game has been a nonfactor at best this season and the passing attack has been electric. I do not see the SMU secondary slowing down TCU’s receivers and I think Hoover has another big day through the air.
- Russ: Josh Hoover. I have little faith that TCU is going to turn things around in the run game, meaning that the redshirt sophomore quarterback will once again be asked to sling the rock all around the field in order for the Horned Frogs to emerge from Dallas with the win.
- Wyatt: Josh Hoover. with the weak run game, Hoover will need to step up big time. He will throw the ball a ton on Saturday, and I expect him to spread it around. I wouldn’t be surprised if the TCU offense throws the ball 60 times.
Defensive MVP vs. SMU
- Anthony: Bud Clark. The TCU secondary has zero interceptions this season, with the only two picks coming from LB Namdi Obiazor & DL Tymon Mitchell. That changes Saturday as the safety makes his presence known on every play and has a key INT.
- Austin: Jamel Johnson. The sophomore safety leads the team in tackles and will likely be in store for another double-digit tackling performance. In close games, SMU has kept the playcalling pretty even with an equal dose of runs and passing plays. Johnson will be responsible for keeping an eye on Jennings on quarterback scrambles and whenever the quarterback decides to launch it deep.
- Drew: Namdi Obiazor. With the Frogs facing a mobile quarterback and a weapon at tight end, Obiazor will need to have a big game in both pass coverage and the run game for the defense to be successful. I expect Obiazor to be involved with the coverage of RJ Maryland when he is lined up at tight end and I think he plays well on Saturday with a pass breakup and at least eight tackles.
- Russ: Namdi Obiazor. Given how TCU’s defensive line has struggled, particularly inside, Obiazor will need to continue making plays. The senior linebacker nearly forced a fumble on UCF’s final drive of the game, which would’ve sealed the win for the Horned Frogs, but the call was instead ruled in favor of the Knights. Nevertheless, Obiazor has been a playmaker throughout his time at TCU and I think he has a great game here.
- Wyatt: Cooper McDonald. He flies around the field, and I think his presence will be felt on Saturday.
Final Score
- Anthony: TCU 41, SMU 24
- Austin: TCU 31, SMU 21
- Drew: TCU 34, SMU 24
- Russ: TCU 38, SMU 24
- Wyatt: TCU 38, SMU 27