TCU Fans Unbothered as Century-Old Rivalry with SMU Nears End, Focus on Comfort and AC Instead
In a scorching Saturday afternoon at Amon Carter Stadium, TCU fans seemed unfazed by the impending end of their century-old rivalry with SMU. As the temperature soared and a good portion of the crowd had left by the fourth quarter, it became evident that fans were more concerned about finding some relief with air conditioning and cool refreshments rather than mourning the loss of the historic Iron Skillet showdown. Even Sonny Dykes, SMU’s head coach, didn’t seem too broken up about the series coming to a close.
The decision to decommission the Iron Skillet after the contract runs out in 2025 is primarily driven by TCU’s desire to play more home games. TCU’s athletic director, Jeremiah Donati, explained that it is in the best interest of the TCU football program to hit pause on the rivalry. The logistical challenges of driving to Dallas for every other game and the lack of financial incentives from beating SMU further justify the decision. TCU fans, on the other hand, don’t get as worked up about the rivalry compared to their new rivals like Baylor. The history of the revivalry with SMU may be significant, but TCU’s focus has shifted towards other rivalries that hold more weight in the current college football landscape.
For SMU, the loss of the rivalry is disappointing. SMU officials expressed their desire to continue the rivalry in perpetuity, emphasizing its significance in the fabric of college football. However, due to the lack of competitiveness between the two teams in recent years and the Big 12’s reluctance to involve SMU in significant games, the Mustangs have struggled to maintain relevance. This explains why SMU eagerly forfeited nine years of revenues in their pursuit of joining the ACC and why boosters quickly rallied to contribute $100 million. Despite their upcoming ACC membership, SMU officials would still like to keep the rivalry alive, but it seems unlikely given Sonny Dykes’ apparent lack of emotional attachment to it.
In the latest meeting between TCU and SMU, the Horned Frogs emerged victorious with a 34-17 win. Sonny Dykes’ transition from TCU to SMU has resulted in a four-game winning streak for the Mustangs. However, Dykes did not show any sentimentality towards the rivalry and instead focused on the progress his team has made since their season-opening loss to Colorado. While SMU’s quarterback, Preston Stone, struggled with interceptions, TCU’s defense displayed improvement. Despite mistakes and a lack of execution on offense, Chandler Morris still led the Frogs to victory.
Overall, the end of the TCU-SMU rivalry seems imminent, much to the indifference of TCU fans and SMU officials who are eager to chart a new course. However, the significance of this rivalry in the history of college football cannot be denied, and SMU’s disappointment is palpable. As the series concludes, both teams will redirect their attention to other rivalries and focus on their respective paths going forward in the ever-evolving landscape of college football.
