TCU @ SMU preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 28, 2013 ) Southern Methodist 17, Texas Christian 48

Working in a new up-tempo offense, Trevone Boykin is blossoming at quarterback in his fourth year at Texas Christian after once being considered the most talented wide receiver and running back on campus. The visiting junior should have his way Saturday against a desperate Southern Methodist program in the 94th edition of the Battle for the Iron Skillet. TCU holds a 46-40-7 edge in the series which began in 1915, including a 48-17 win last season in Fort Worth.

Saying 2014 has been a rough season for Southern Methodist would be an understatement. Head coach June Jones, who had taken the Mustangs to four bowls in the last five seasons, resigned for personal issues after the second game of the season, a 43-6 loss at North Texas. To make matters worse, starting quarterback Neil Burcham's season ended in the North Texas game and interim coach Tom Mason's tenure started last week with a 58-6 whipping by Texas A&M.

TV: Noon ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: TCU -33

ABOUT TCU (2-0): Under co-coordinators Doug Meacham and Sonny Cumbie, the new Horned Frogs' fast-paced offense is averaging 491 yards in lopsided wins over Samford and Minnesota after averaging 344.8 yards last season. Boykin leads the team in rushing with 121 yards, is completing a career-best 64.1 percent of his passes and is second in the Big 12 in total offense with 349.5 yards. The defense has been just as impressive, ranking second in the nation in total defense (205.5), yielding just 2.2 yards per carry and holding quarterbacks to a 49-percent completion mark with one TD against four interceptions.

ABOUT SMU (0-3): The Mustangs have been outscored 146-12, scored their only TD on the last play of the game against North Texas and are averaging 1.1 yards per rush and 4.4 yards per pass attempt. One positive for a team that has also given up 21 sacks is that SMU didn't turn the ball over in the 58-6 loss against Texas A&M after committing eight giveaways in the first two contests. The defense is yielding 530 yards per game, has forced three turnovers and recorded two sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Boykin was the only player in the nation last season to have a 100-yard rushing performance, 100-yard receiving game and a 200-yard passing contest.

2. SMU junior QB Garrett Krstich played in his second game - first start - last week and was 13-of-24 passing for 137 yards with 33 yards rushing.

3. Boykin is certainly the focal point of the offense. No running back has managed to top 60 yards for the season through two games.

PREDICTION: TCU 56, SMU 7