After a hard loss against a struggling Washington State, SMU had two weeks to map a proper attack against what is, perhaps the best team on their schedule. TCU, ranked 14th in the country, is looking to play the role of BCS buster this year and they are fully aware of what it takes to make it there, a perfect season!
TCU’s pride is on the defensive side of the ball. A swarming pass attack is going to put SMU quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell into his most uncomfortable game situation this season. With eight interceptions in just three games, SMU will have to rely heavily on the hopes of an uncharacteristic mistake free game. If Mitchell can show the accuracy and ability to find the open mind as he did in the first half against the loss to the Cougars, it’s possible to approach the second half with a lead, allowing SMU running back ShawnbreyMcNeal to add more yards to his already impressive rushing total.
TCU has twelve games to prove their worth on the upper tier to the nation. It is unlikely that they will take a game off and the chance of catching them sleeping is incredibly slim. The Horned Frogs have already won their first three games and, with Utah and BYU still on the schedule, they look to make an honest push past no. 5 Boise State, whose schedule is remarkably weaker. TCU will not only look to beat the Mustangs, they will look to run up the score as well.
SMU has seen TCU’s hunger for national attention before. In 2005, TCU shocked Oklahoma as they beat the Sooners 17-10 to open the season. The Frogs looked to hold the Iron Skillet for another year as they went into Dallas the following week to match up with the Mustangs, who had lost eight games the previous season, including a 44-0 loss to TCU.
SMU won that game 21-10, ruining TCU’s season after their win against Oklahoma. It would be the only loss for the Frogs that season. TCU only lost two games last year. Both were against top ten schools. This year’s schedule looks more favorable for an undefeated Frog season, but SMU looks to relive the 2005 memory, putting things back on track for an SMU bowl game.