DMN: Up-tempo Frogs and uneasy Mustangs | Five takeaways from TCU’s 33-3 win over SMU
By Grant McGalliard , Special contributor
Contact Grant McGalliard on Twitter: @GrantMcGTCU
TCU won the Battle for the Iron Skillet for the fifth straight year, beating SMU 33-3 Friday night. Here’s the takeaways for both teams:
Ben Hicks still needs work.
It’s tough to criticize a true freshman unexpectedly thrown into a starting role. But this TCU secondary has been struggling all year, and Hicks was unable to capitalize on most of this throws. He overthrew a wide open Xavier Castille in the third quarter, and checked down early and often, averaging 11 yards per completion. While he scrambled nicely — perhaps better than the TCU defense expected – the Mustangs missed the injured Matt Davis in this game.
TCU’s offense runs best at hyper speed.
The Horned Frogs looked aimless at times when they had the ball. But when they got into a no-huddle rhythm, they moved the ball well and put pressure on the Mustang defense. Although they sputtered slightly once they entered the red zone, the Frogs moved the chains when they were in the extreme hurry-up. Kenny Hill was able to string completions together, and Kyle Hicks kept the defense honest with runs from spread formation. A sped-up TCU may be the best version of TCU.
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