It’s a non-conference battle on the gridiron between a pair of teams from the Lone Star State when a member of the Big 12 takes on a program from the AAC. The TCU Horned Frogs are on the road as they make the in-state trek to face the SMU Mustangs as Sonny Dykes returns to face his former employer. TCU was off last week and rolled to an easy 59-17 home win over FCS program Tarleton in their previous contest September 10. SMU battled but ended up falling short, losing 34-27, on the road against Maryland. In the all-time series between the teams, the Horned Frogs own a 50-41-7 advantage though SMU has won the last two meetings. That includes a 42-34 victory on the road in the most recent meeting on September 25, 2021.
TCU has had two weeks to prepare for this game as they were off last week after waffling Tarleton in their home opener in their most recent contest. The Horned Frogs look to keep rolling as coach Dykes returns to face the program he coached for the previous four seasons. Against Tarleton, TCU was up 21-0 after the opening quarter and 28-0 early in the second quarter. The lead was 38-7 at the half and the Horned Frogs cruised the rest of the way. TCU rolled up a commanding 630-295 advantage in total offense, piled up a 28-13 edge in first downs and owned a 34:42 to 25:18 edge in time of possession. They also forced a pair of takeaways while only committing one turnover in the contest.
On the year, TCU comes into this contest ranked tied for 27th in the FBS in passing offense with 294 yards per game while they are 19th in rushing offense by grinding out 227.5 yards per contest. T he Horned Frogs are 9th in the nation in scoring offense by putting up 48.5 points per contest while they are 31st in scoring defense as they give up only 15 points per game. Max Duggan is 25 of 32 passing for 417 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions while adding 44 yards on the ground. Chandler Morris is 13 of 20 for 111 yards while adding 18 yards on the ground: he suffered a sprained knee in the opener against Colorado. Sam Jackson (four of four, 58 yards, 69 rushing yards, two TD) and Josh Hoover (one of one, two yards) have seen work in garbage time. Kendre Miller leads the team with 21 carries for 108 yards plus two scores. Emani Bailey (seven carries, 89 yards, TD) and Emari Demercado (10 carries, 56 yards, TD) are capable backs as well. Jordan Hudson leads the team with six receptions for 84 yards plus a score. Taye Barber (four grabs, 75 yards), Blake Nowell (four catches, 69 yards) and Gunnar Henderson (two receptions, 56 yards) each have m ore than 50 receiving yards this season. Luke Laminack is six of seven on extra points and one of two on field goal attempts with a long of 36. Griffin Kell hit all five extra points and his lone field goal try from 33 this season.