SMU’s Davis sees a big challenge facing TCU’s defense

TCU coach Gary Patterson said at halftime cornerback Ranthony Texada is likely out for the year after injuring his right knee against SMU. Davis (17-31, 330 yards, 1 TD) had seven completions of at least 24 yards while also running for two touchdowns.The Horned Frogs appeared to break the game open on their first two drives of the third quarter.

While SMU-TCU is hardly talked about in the same breath as Ohio State-Michigan or Auburn-Alabama, on the day of the game, it becomes clear how much this rivalry means to these two teams and the communities surrounding these two schools. The Frogs have won 13 of the last 15 meetings to take a 47-40-7 series lead, and their 56-0 win last season was the most lopsided game ever between the teams in Dallas and Fort Worth. With Heisman hopeful Trevone Boykin under center, TCU will look to avenge the disappointment of missing last year’s inaugural College Football Playoff and make a run at a national championship this season. A lot would have to go wrong for the Horned Frogs to lose this game.

The high-flying offense receives most of the attention, but what is occurring on defense might determine the fate of TCU’s season.

SMU struck back with a 64-yard pass from Davis to Malone on the opening play of the drive that put the Mustangs inside the TCU red zone. 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 victor of the annual football game between the archrivals.

SMU Has A New Coach Chad Morris is in his first season at the SMU helm. They beat North Texas. Preceding his arrival to the Hilltop, Morris spent five seasons as an offensive coordinator (Tulsa (2010); Clemson (2011-14)).

On the positive side, senior defensive tackle Davion Pierson might play against SMU after missing the first two games, reportedly with a head injury. Quarterback Matt Davis is looking comfortable, playing freely, and making good decisions.

In 2014, the Houston native led SMU with 1,468 yards of total offense. Davis has 337 yards and four touchdowns in the pass game while rushing for a team-high 240 yards and two touchdowns on 41 carries. His 855 passing yards tied for best on the team and he led the squad with 613 rushing yards. While comparing defenses, the SMU Mustangs own the league’s No. 109 rank in terms of road run defense, allowing 229.5 yards per game. He has 27 yards, two receptions.