The Battle for the Iron Skillet between SMU and TCU launches a rivalry-heavy Week 4 slate, marking what may be the final chapter of one of college football’s most enduring grudge matches.
Our comprehensive SMU vs. TCU prediction delivers exclusive PFSN player and team grades, detailed analytical insights, and expert predictions for Saturday’s potentially final Iron Skillet showdown as both programs prepare for what could be the end of a century-old tradition that has defined Texas college football through multiple conference realignments and generations of passionate fans.
SMU vs. TCU Game Details
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025
- Game time:Â 12 p.m. ET
- Location: Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, TX
- Predicted weather at kick: 92 degrees, mostly cloudy
- How to watch: ESPN2
SMU vs. TCU Head-to-Head Record
Since 1917, the Battle of the Iron Skillet has seen SMU and TCU face off 103 times, including seven ties, going into Saturday. TCU has won 53 times, and SMU has won 43. SMU had an impressive 15-game win streak in this matchup from 1972 to 1986, and since then, TCU has gone 26-8, headlined by a seven-game win streak from 2012 to 2018.
The Iron Skillet gets shelved after Saturday💔
TCU vs SMU — 104 meetings, 35 miles apart, 103 years of history. After this weekend? No more scheduled games.
(via @Brett_McMurphy)
Story: https://t.co/YYrTjtD6bX pic.twitter.com/VpbD3Ivb1h
— On3 (@On3sports) September 17, 2025
With the word of the tweet above, each side will have a little extra motivation to play their best brand of football. I am sure they will schedule another game, but it appears that after this season, there will be a more extended hiatus than this matchup has ever seen. They had never gone more than two years without matching up since they began in 1917.
SMU vs. TCU Grades
Below are the PFSN team and positional grades for the highest-ranked players set to be featured in SMU vs. TCU.
PFSN College OFFi
- SMU (80.54, B-)
- TCU (92.49, A-)
PFSN College DEFi
- SMU (81.5, B-)
- TCU (78.89, C+)
PFSN College OL
- SMU (85.68, B)
- TCU (89.84, B+)
PFSN College QBi
- Kevin Jennings, SMU (75.6, C)
- Josh Hoover, TCU (87.8, B+)
PFSN College RBi
- TJ Harden, SMU (78.87, C+)
- Kevorian Barnes, TCU (80.06, B-)
PFSN College WRi
- Romello Brinson, SMU (80.86, B-)
- Jordan Dwyer, TCU (83.13, B)
PFSN College TEi
- Matthew Hibner, SMU (74.78, C)
- DJ Rogers, TCU (81.66, B-)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Cameron Robertson, SMU (90.47, A-)
- Paul Oyewale, TCU (81.47, B-)
PFSN College DTi
- Jeffrey M’Ba, SMU (86.48, B)
- Ansel Din-Mbuh, TCU (80.71, B-)
PFSN College LBi
- Brandon Booker, SMU (75.42, C)
- Namdi Obiazor, TCU (75.78, C)
PFSN College CBi
- Javion Holiday, SMU (91.47, A-)
- Austin Jordan, TCU (85.95, B)
PFSN College SAFi
- Tyren Polley, SMU (93.04, A)
- Bud Clark, TCU (86.03, B)
SMU vs. TCU Prediction
The Horned Frogs have the home crowd on their side and are playing good football coming into what is potentially the last Battle of the Iron Skillet. With what is at stake and TCU’s dominance in this matchup in recent years, it is hard to pick against them here.
SMU is also playing good football and establishing itself as one of the best schools in the ACC. Still, they have not reached the oddsmakers’ expectations, resulting in a 0-3 record against the spread.
While this is not a betting article, these spreads are based on complex algorithms and team talent levels. The oddsmakers have TCU as 6.5-point favorites for Saturday afternoon.
The X-factor is how the Mustangs completely fell apart against Baylor. If TCU starts to take off, SMU may get into desperation mode, whether it be play-calling or executing certain facets of the game. They need to perform in crunch time for me to give them a nod in a demanding environment like the one they will be in on Saturday.
Look for Hoover to execute and the Horned Frogs to take care of the ball, as SMU’s only chance is to force some turnovers. With so much on the line, I’ll lean toward the side averaging 45 points per game to continue riding their momentum.
Prediction: TCU 37, SMU 30
