Battle For The Iron Skillet 2025: SMU vs TCU Preview

SMU looks to keep the Iron Skillet in Dallas, as they take on TCU on the road this Saturday.

Via @MustangWire

The 104th edition of the Battle for the Iron Skillet brings longtime rivals SMU and TCU together once again, with bragging rights and tradition on the line. Both programs enter the matchup with momentum, with SMU at 2–1 after a win over Missouri State and TCU at 2–0 following convincing victories over North Carolina and Abilene Christian. The Mustangs bring one of the nation’s most opportunistic defenses and an explosive offense led by quarterback Kevin Jennings, while the Horned Frogs counter with their high-powered Big 12 attack under head coach Sonny Dykes. Below is a side-by-side look at how the two teams stack up heading into Saturday’s showdown.

Category	SMU Mustangs	TCU Horned Frogs
Record	2–1	2–0
Conference	ACC	Big 12
Head Coach	Rhett Lashlee (31–13 overall, 21–3 ACC)	Sonny Dykes (29–13 at TCU, 100–76 career)
Last Game	Beat Missouri State 28–10	Beat Abilene Christian 42–21
Offensive Identity	Fast, explosive, balanced attack	High-scoring, spread system
Offensive Production	448 yards per game (3 straight 400+)	45.0 points per game through 2 contests
Quarterback	Kevin Jennings – 836 yds, 5 TD, 165.9 QBR	Returning starter, steady but balanced play
Running Back	TJ Harden – 253 yds, 5 TD, 6.0 YPC	Multiple contributors, committee approach
Wide Receiver	Key’Shawn Brinson – 314 yds (104.7 ypg)	Explosive unit, spread production
Defensive Edge	8 turnovers gained, 9 sacks, 2 TDs scored	Allowed 35 pts in 2 games, opportunistic
Series History	104th meeting, first played in 1915	SMU won 66–42 last year, highest scoring