Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Pete Fiutak

TCU vs SMU Prediction, Game Preview

TCU vs SMU prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 4, Saturday, September 24


TCU vs SMU How To Watch

Date: Saturday, September 24
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX
How To Watch: ESPNU
Record: TCU (2-0), SMU (2-1)
Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

CFN 1-131 Rankings | Bowl Projections
CFN Week 4 Expert Picks | Week 4 Schedule
NFL Expert Predictions | NFL Schedule, Picks
What 12-Team Playoff Would Look Like
Top 10 Coach Hot Seat List: After Week 3
Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

TCU vs SMU Game Preview

Why TCU Will Win

If it’s possible to be totally rested and ready to roll in Week 4 of the season, that’s TCU.

It started out with a layup win over a horrible Colorado team, got a scrimmage against Tarleton State, and then it got two weeks off to get ready for the 30 mile trip on I-30 to deal with the Mustangs.

The Horned Frogs had no problem whatsoever in the first two games under Sonny Dykes. The passing game rolled two weeks ago, the running game averaged over nine yards per carry in Boulder, and the defense was fine.

QB Chandler Morris is still out, but Max Duggan is more than good enough to handle the starting work. As long as the turnovers are kept to a bare minimum, all should be fine.

SMU has a turnover problem – eight so far – the run defense has been shaky, and the Rhett Lashlee offense doesn’t care a lick about controlling the clock. But …

CFN Expert Picks, Week 4

Why SMU Will Win

There’s a flip side to only playing two games so far and getting all the rest TCU has had – there’s a chance SMU is sharper.

Yes, turnovers have been an issue with eight so far, but the defense has made up for it with taking it away multiple times in each of the three games. The offense is working – it’s tenth in the nation in passing yards and 12th overall in total O – and it’s going to be the toughest test for the TCU defense by far.

Tanner Mordecai needs to be a bit more accurate – he’s not hitting the 60% mark – but he’s spreading it around well, has ten touchdown passes, and is more than experienced enough to handle the moment against the Big 12 team.

It has only been two games, but TCU hasn’t cranked up the pass rush yet. Give Mordecai time and there’s going to be a problem.

Week 4 Schedule, Predictions, Game Preview

What’s Going To Happen

SMU will bring the offense, but TCU will get the ground game going enough to control the clock and the tempo.

For all of the good things the Mustang offense does, the inability to deal with the time of possession battle – it just doesn’t care – is going to be taxing on the D. TCU will be balanced, the rest defense will be solid, and it’ll be a good win before diving into the Big 12 season.

NFL Expert Picks, Week 3

TCU vs SMU Prediction, Line

TCU 34, SMU 30
Line: TCU -2.5, o/u: 70.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
TCU vs SMU Must See Rating (out of 5): 3

College coaches all over America this week are raising awareness and research dollars for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive genetic disorder that takes the lives of young men. Fans can donate to Coach To Cure MD online or by texting the word CURE to 501501 to give $25.

Predictions of Every Game
Bowl Projections | Rankings
Schedules, Scores For All 131 Teams

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.