It's one of the most storied rivalries in college football, even if it doesn't get the same amount of attention as some others, like Ohio State and Michigan. The Battle for the Iron Skillet has been raging between TCU and SMU since 1915, with only a few breaks in between. In fact, there have only been four seasons these two haven't played since the rivalry began. Two of those years, SMU didn't even field a football team.

Both teams come into this one sporting 2-1 records on the season. The Frogs are coming off of a 36-13 win over new Big 12 member Houston last week. Meanwhile, the Mustangs are fresh off taking down Prairie View A&M in a 69-0 blowout at Ford Stadium.

Coaching SMU in his second year at the helm is Rhett Lashlee, who has compiled a 9-7 career record in Dallas. Lashlee, who served as offensive coordinator for the Mustangs for two seasons (2018-19), also served as the offensive coordinator at Miami in 2020 and 2021. A one-time finalist (2013) and two-time semifinalist (2019, 2020) for the Broyles Award, Lashlee has the distinction of being the only coach ever nominated for the Broyles Award four different times at four different schools (Arkansas State, Auburn, SMU, Miami).

Running things on the TCU sideline is former SMU head coach, Sonny Dykes. Dykes is also in his second season, having put together an impressive record of 15-3 at TCU, improving his career record to 86-66. As you can imagine, the rivalry has only picked up momentum since Coach Dykes opted to leave SMU for its longtime rival.

SMU and TCU: A Series Quick Look
• TCU holds a 52-42-7 edge over the Mustangs in a series that began with a 43-0 TCU win in Fort Worth in 1915.
• The Horned Frogs have won 12 of the last 15 games against SMU and 18 of the past 22.
• TCU is 28-20-5 versus the Mustangs in Fort Worth and 24-22-2 in Dallas.
• SMU is TCU's second-most played series. The Horned Frogs' 101 meetings with the Mustangs trail only Baylor (118).
• The Mustangs have won the last two meetings at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

What is the Iron Skillet?
• During the post-World War II college football boom, the SMU and TCU student bodies created a traveling trophy called the Iron Skillet that was presented to the winner of the annual football game between the archrivals. The tradition eventually died, and the skillet was lost.
• In 1993, however, the tradition was revived as the president of the SMU student body painted the face of the TCU student body president red and blue following the Mustangs' 21-15 victory in Fort Worth. The engraved skillet is presented to the winning team after each game.

A Look at the Game
TCU doesn't have to travel much in 2023. Four of the Frogs' opening five games this season are at Amon G. Carter Stadium, with TCU playing seven home games this season. TCU will play nine of 12 regular-season games in Texas, not not leaving the state until an Oct. 7 contest at Iowa State. Last year's Horned Frogs became the first program from the state of Texas to reach the College Football Playoff and first from the Big 12 to play in the CFP National Championship. With its 51-45 semifinal victory over Michigan in the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, TCU is one of just seven programs nationally to win a CFP games. We'll stop discussing TCU's Playoff performance at that semifinal win; it's just best for everyone.

SMU has looked strong offensively so far. The Mustangs have outgained every team they've played in total yards this season. SMU has had at least 10 different players catch a pass in the first three games, meaning TCU's defense should look for Preston Stone to spread the ball around. Stone recorded his best game yet as a Mustang, finishing with 300 yards passing and six total touchdowns in last week's victory. For his career day, Stone was named the American Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week on Sept. 18. Jordan Kerley recorded the first multi-touchdown game of his collegiate career, finishing with two receiving touchdowns in last week's game.

SMU at TCU will kickoff at 11 am CT, 12p ET, live from Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth Texas, and will be broadcast nationally on FS1.