Horned Frogs vs Mustangs Prediction, Game Preview, Live Stream, Odds & Picks
The TCU Horned Frogs face their long-time rivals, the SMU Mustangs
Century-old Rivalry Lives On
As the SMU Mustangs prepare to play host to the TCU Horned Frogs on Saturday, they’re going to go into the game at a slight disadvantage. Both teams know each other’s styles almost inside and out.
However, in this 101st encounter, TCU head coach Sonny Dykes is no stranger to SMU’s playbook. The Horned Frogs stole him from the Mustangs in the offseason, which means he knows what to expect. This is going to influence all online sports betting.
Let’s check the latest NCAAF picks, stats, injury reports, and NCAAF odds for Horned Frogs vs Mustangs. We’ve plenty of NCAAF predictions for you to consider.
TCU Horned Frogs Ready to Leap
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs leads this rivalry 52-41-7. However, the Horned Frogs lost the previous meetings in 2019 and 2021. There was no game in 2020 due to COVID-19. The Frogs hold a 16-4 record in the last two decades.
Since 2005, the Frogs have won six of their last games. However, in the last two, Southern Methodist University has been catching up. SMU only won by an average score of 5.5 points.
The Horned Frogs are going to count on QB Max Duggan. Duggan was pushed out for Chandler Morris, who later lost the job due to injury. Since then, he has been 25 of 32 passing for 417 yards with five touchdowns.
The majority of that was in a career-high performance against Tarleton State University two week ago. While Morris has recuperated, Duggan might start again. If he does, he’s only 24 passing yards away from claiming fourth place on TCU’s all-time passing yards list.
SMU Mustangs Out For Revenge
After losing Dykes, the Southern Methodist University Mustangs went with Rhett Lashlee as their head coach. Bringing in the 39-year-old may have been a foresight. He previously worked at the University of Central Florida under Guz Malzahn and then moved on to become an offensive coordinator under Dykes.
Two years later, he accepted the same role at the University of Miami, where he remained for two seasons. He then returned to SMU, which means he knows the team and its people, as well as Dykes’s playbook.
The Mustangs are coming off a loss against the Maryland Terrapins, but Lashlee has a 2-1 record as he gets started. The team averages 37 points per game, while the defense only allows 22. While neither is impressive, the fact that Dykes and Lashless know each other well means this will be an interesting game.
TCU Horned Frogs vs SMU Mustangs Head-to-Head
The Battle for the Iron Skillet is going to be the same tough battle that these two have given in previous years. The Horned Frogs and Mustangs have gone back-and-forth, although SMU racked up 3.5 more points per game last year than TCU gave up.
In a look at previous NCAAF betting odds, TCU is 1-4 against the spread (ATS) in their last five games on the road. In addition, the Horned Frogs are 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14. On the other hand, SMU is 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games at home, and 1-4 ATS in their last five combined. In exploring the college football picks, SMU continues to run strong.
Horned Frogs vs Mustangs Game Information
- Game: Horned Frogs (2-0) vs Mustangs (2-1)
- Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, Texas
- Day/Time: September 24, 12 PM ET
- Horned Frogs vs Mustangs Live Stream: ESPN
Horned Frogs vs Mustangs Betting Lines
| Team |
Point Spread
|
Moneyline | Total |
| TCU Horned Frogs | -2 -110 | -130 | 70½-110o |
| SMU Mustangs | +2 -110 | +110 | 70½-110u |
Horned Frogs vs Mustangs Prediction
Because they have had an extra week of preparation for this contest, the TCU Horned Frogs look more appealing. It’s fair enough to say that this team isn’t among the best the school has had, and it remains to be seen how talented this team can be.
The SMU Mustangs are a firebrand offensively, and despite losing to Maryland, they showed that there is enough talent to be a major factor in the AAC. TCU likely doesn’t have what it takes to win, and SMU can pick up the win as the underdog. Based on the previous scores and odds, the Mustangs are going to continue to turn up the heat.
