‘SMU only exists to beat TCU.’ How the Horned Frogs are preparing for the Battle for the Iron Skillet

TCU coach Sonny Dykes is expecting a big challenge from SMU in this year’s Battle for the Iron Skillet.

It has nothing to do with the Mustangs getting an invitation to the ACC this off-season or the fact SMU grabbed two TCU players out of the transfer portal. For Dykes it’s about how his former program has constructed its roster, especially on the defensive end.

“I think it’s probably the best team SMU has had over there in awhile,” Dykes said Tuesday. “They’re a lot better defensively. There’s been much improvement over where they’ve been. I think the defense is playing really well. They have either nine or ten senior starters on defense. There’s a ton of experience.”

Dykes is still only one season removed from coaching in University Park, so he still knows the ins and outs of the roster intimately. When he says best team in awhile he’s likely referring to the 2019 season when Dykes led the Mustangs to their first 10-win season since the 1980s.

The Mustangs are currently on pace to have one of the best defenses in program history if the unit can maintain its standard with the schedule getting tougher. SMU is allowing 14 points per game and is holding opponents to just 2.8 yards per carry.

Some of that is inflated by games against Prairie View and Louisiana Tech, but SMU’s defense was also competitive against Oklahoma and the Sooners’ explosive offense. The Mustangs held Oklahoma under 400 total yards and 200 yards passing.

SMU only trailed 14-11 in the fourth quarter before two late touchdowns put the game away. It’s not a stretch to say that the Mustangs will be the best defense the Horned Frogs have faced so far.

“They’ve got a lot of seniority,” receiver JP Richardson said. “They’ve got a lot of guys that have a lot of snaps. They’re fast, I went against (Bryan) Massey in high school, I remember his speed standing out.”

Massey, who is also a dynamic kick returner, is third on the team in tackles and one of the senior starters Dykes mentioned.

Up front the Mustangs are led by Elijah Chatman and Elijah Roberts. The duo have combined for four of SMU’s 11 sacks and both will need to be accounted for up front.

Offensively, the Mustangs put up big numbers against inferior competition, but only managed to score 11 against Oklahoma. Even with the meager output of points, Dykes was still impressed by what he saw.

“I thought the teams didn’t look too different physically,” Dykes said. “SMU’s a good looking football team. They’re long, they’re big and athletic. When you look at the offense I thought they held up really well up front. The quarterback did some good things and gave them a chance to stay in the game.”

Speaking of the quarterback, Dykes is still very high on Preston Stone. Stone was one of Dykes’ biggest recruiting wins at SMU as he was a top-150 prospect and top-20 quarterback nationally.

Stone has handled himself well through a quarter of the season and even reminds Dykes of his own quarterback.

“He anticipates throws really well and throws a very catchable ball,” Dykes said. “He moves around really well in the pocket and creates not only running opportunities, but opportunities for receivers to shake loose down the field and he throws very well on the run. That’s something we noticed four or five years ago when we started recruiting Preston.

“He’s just got a really good feel for playing football. So I think he and Chandler are really similar in a lot of ways as a quarterback.”

Dykes added that the key for slowing Stone down is the same formula to slow any talented quarterback down. Apply pressure, make him uncomfortable and remain disciplined in coverage.

SMU has a nice group of skill position players led by Jake Bailey at receiver and L.J. Johnson in the backfield. Former TCU receiver Jordan Hudson is second on the team in yards and has two touchdowns on the season, but didn’t have a stat against Oklahoma.

When safety Bud Clark was asked if Hudson being at SMU added anything to this year’s game he was blunt in his answer.

“Nah,” Clark said. It’s clear the Horned Frogs were avoiding providing any bulletin board material ahead of the Battle for the Iron Skillet.

While TCU had nothing but nice things to say about SMU, it’s clear the Horned Frogs are fully aware of how significant this game will be.

“(Andrew) Coker said today SMU only exists to beat TCU,” Richardson said. “As long as they beat TCU in their minds they had a good season.”