Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET (11:00 AM CT local)
Venue: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
Broadcast: ESPN2
Weather Forecast (Fort Worth, TX)
Temperature: ~87°F (31°C) at kickoff
Conditions: Mostly sunny, humid, light winds (6–9 mph)
Impact: Warm conditions could test depth, but no major weather disruptions expected.
Injury Report
SMU Mustangs (ACC):
QB Kevin Jennings (836 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT through three games) healthy and starting.
RB Tomarion Harden (253 rushing yards, 5 TDs) available.
WR Romello Brinson (314 yards, 3 TDs) and WR Jalen Cooper (230 yards, 2 TDs) both active.
No major defensive absences reported.
TCU Horned Frogs (Big 12):
QB Josh Hoover (621 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT, 77.8% completions vs. Abilene Christian) healthy.
RB Kevorian Barnes (156 rushing yards, 1 TD) available.
WR Joseph Manjack IV (114 yards, 1 TD vs. ACU) and WR Jordan Dwyer (225 yards, 2 TDs on season) active.
Defense intact, led by LB Ansel Din-Mbuh (1.5 sacks, 2 TFL).
Key Player Matchups
QB Kevin Jennings (SMU) vs. TCU Secondary
Jennings has been productive but turnover-prone (3 INTs). TCU’s DBs will look to capitalize.
WR Romello Brinson (SMU) vs. TCU Corners
Brinson is averaging 104.7 yards per game; TCU must prevent explosive plays.
QB Josh Hoover (TCU) vs. SMU Pass Rush
Hoover has been efficient and accurate; SMU must pressure him to disrupt rhythm.
RB Tomarion Harden (SMU) vs. TCU Front Seven
Harden’s 5 rushing TDs make him a red-zone weapon; TCU linebackers must contain him.
Recent Team Form
SMU Mustangs (2–1, ACC)
8/30/25: L 62–44 vs. Texas A&M
9/6/25: W 35–21 vs. North Texas
9/13/25: W 28–10 vs. Missouri State
Trend: Offense explosive but turnover-prone; defense improving after rough opener.
TCU Horned Frogs (2–0, Big 12)
8/30/25: W 45–28 vs. North Dakota State
9/6/25: W 42–21 vs. Abilene Christian
Trend: Offense balanced, defense opportunistic; Hoover emerging as a steady leader.
Series History
Rivalry known as the Battle for the Iron Skillet.
TCU leads the all-time series 53–42–7.
Last meeting: 2024, SMU upset TCU 62–44 in Dallas.
TCU has won 4 of the last 6 meetings, but SMU has taken 2 of the last 3.
Betting Trends
TCU:
1–1 ATS in 2025.
Overs hit in both games this season.
0–1 ATS as a 7+ point favorite.
SMU:
0–2 ATS in 2025.
1 of 3 games has gone over the total.
2–1 SU, but defense has allowed 30+ points in 2 of 3 games.
Head-to-Head:
SMU covered in 2024’s upset win.
TCU covered in 2022 (42–34).
Historical Betting Results
TCU: Strong SU at home, but inconsistent ATS as a touchdown favorite.
SMU: Often undervalued as an underdog in this rivalry; outright wins in 2019, 2021, and 2024.
Iron Skillet Trend: Underdogs have covered in 4 of the last 6 meetings.
Game Odds
SMU Mustangs 63
TCU Horned Frogs – 7
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, September 19, 2025
