Texas Christian @ Southern Methodist preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 3, 2009 ) Southern Methodist 14, Texas Christian 39

Five years ago, TCU had one of its biggest upsets in school history, knocking off Oklahoma in Norman and moving into the Top 25. The following week, TCU fell to in-state rival SMU and were out of the rankings for more than a month.

TCU coach Gary Patterson has highlighted that game all week, as the Horned Frogs prepare to travel across the Dallas Metroplex for Friday night’s game against the Mustangs at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Unlike 2005, fifth-ranked TCU (3-0) has legitimate BCS bowl hopes this season. So far this season, the Horned Frogs have defeated a Pac-10 and a Big 12 team, and are the favorites in the Mountain West.

In last week’s 45-10 victory over Baylor, TCU quarterback Andy Dalton completed 21-of-23 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns. Dalton’s 91.3 completion percentage set TCU and Mountain West single-game records, and he is now one touchdown pass shy of tying Max Knake for the school record.

Both of Dalton’s touchdown passes went to wide receiver Jeremy Kerley. Kerley finished with six catches, which tied a career-high for him.

On the ground, TCU had a season-high 291 yards, including sophomore running back Ed Wesley’s career-best 165 yards.

Defensively, the Horned Frogs continue to impress, too. They allowed only 87 yards and three points in the first-half against Baylor. Senior defensive backs Colin Jones and Tejay Johnson both recorded seven tackles, tying for the team-high.

Jones is starting in place of senior safety Tyler Luttrell, who has been sidelined the past two weeks with a hamstring injury. Luttrell is doubtful for this week’s game.

The SMU offense, of course, will have to play well to score. And the Mustangs (2-1) did just that against Washington State last week, cruising to a 35-21 victory.

SMU sophomore quarterback Kyle Padron finished 19-of-34 for 284 yards and four touchdowns. He also rushed for a score. Senior wide receiver Aldrick Robinson had four catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns, including a 67-yard scoring catch in the second quarter.

Defensively, the Mustangs have allowed 21 points and 347.3 yards a game this season. But SMU should get a boost in its secondary, as senior cornerback Sterling Moore is scheduled to return after missing last week’s game with a knee injury. The Mustangs defensive backfield has been depleted all season, too. Senior Randy McKinnon is out for the season after he tore his ACL earlier this year.

Finally, for what it’s worth, the Iron Skillet is at stake, a tradition that started between the two Dallas-Fort Worth schools after World War II. The rivalry dates back to 1915, though. TCU currently holds a 43-39-7 edge in the all-time record, including the Horned Frogs winning seven of the last eight meetings. Both schools also claim the 1935 national championship (the NCAA recognizes both schools as national champions that year).