The Southwest Conference was not so much tightly knit as it was inextricably bound
by history and oil money, grudges and family, and the very state itself. Every fall
Saturday for 82 years, the very best of Texas and that one team from Arkansas settled
in different parts of the state to play for bragging rights. The lines of demarcation
were not where you lived but rather where you went to school, the colors you wouldn’t
be caught dead in, and if you were Hook ’em or Gig ’em or willing to fight ’em on
the ice.
Everybody considered everybody else a rival, but Texas Christian University and Southern
Methodist University held each other in particular disdain. The rivalry was marked
as much by yellow Corvettes and your determination to pack a sack lunch, Amon Carter-style,
for any trip to Dallas as the results on the scoreboard.
As the Frogs and Ponies prepare to battle for the Iron Skillet (a “trophy” dating
back to World War II) for the 104th time, and the last scheduled meeting for the foreseeable future, TCU News looks back
and reflects on some of the greatest matchups in this historic rivalry.
1935, SMU 20, TCU 14: Known as “the Game of the Century,” the 1935 matchup featured
an undefeated SMU and TCU playing for a conference title, a spot in the Rose Bowl
and a chance to compete for the national championship ... so low stakes! Tied at 14
late into the fourth quarter, a fake punt for a touchdown ended up being the deciding
score for the Mustangs. Their luck did not carry into the national championship, however.
SMU's loss to Stanford and TCU’s victory against LSU in the Sugar Bowl led to both
teams claiming the national championship. 1947, TCU 19, SMU 19:
This iteration of the Iron Skillet had blowout vibes, SMU coming in undefeated and
ranked No. 3 in the nation compared to 4-5-1 TCU. The Frogs led until 25 seconds remained.
The Ponies scored and needed only to convert the extra point to extend their perfect
season to 10-0. Except the unthinkable happened. Future Heisman-winner Doak Walker,
who already had rushed for 100 yards and scored two touchdowns, missed the extra point.
This tie relegated SMU to the Cotton Bowl and another tie against Penn State. 1948, TCU 7, SMU 7: The 1948 Iron Skillet took place at the Cotton Bowl in front of
67,000 fans. Just like the previous year, SMU came in with the better record (9-1),
bigger expectations and a now-Heisman-winner in Walker. Different year, same ending.
TCU led, SMU tied it late, and the game ended without a winner. 1997, TCU 21, SMU 18: TCU was bad in 1997. Like really bad. Like 0-10 bad. Like nobody
expected them to beat SMU in the final game of the season bad, and the Mustangs were
motivated by finally picking up a few wins and looking for their first bowl berth
since receiving the “death penalty,” a catastrophic reprimand from the NCAA for buying
players cars and other bad behavior. It was not to be as the Horned Frogs scored 21
unanswered for the W, giving them two wins — the first and only win of the season
and denying their rivals a bowl trip. 2000, TCU 62, SMU 7: This was not just any Iron Skillet win for the Frogs. It included
a lot of firsts and bests and biggests, including their first 10-win season since
winning the National Championship in 1938, the largest margin of victory in the rivalry
ever, and LaDainian Tomlinson reaching 2,158 yards on the season, which was the fourth-most
all-time. Adding insult to infamy was the Horned Frogs band spelling out “TCU” in
fertilizer on SMU’s new field during the halftime show.
2012, TCU 24, SMU 16: Revenge was a theme in a lot of Iron Skillet games, and 2012
especially so after SMU upset TCU in overtime the previous year. This looked to be
easy with the Frogs jumping to a big lead, thanks to a pair of touchdowns from Matthew
Tucker. But heavy rain and only 27 yards after halftime necessitated one of the best
defensive performances in Skillet history to seal the deal. The Horned Frog D delivered
five interceptions, including two from future NFL pro-bowler Jason Verrett. 2014, TCU 56, SMU 0: It almost wasn’t fair, TCU’s fiery offense going up against an
SMU defense that ranked last in the nation entering the game. Almost. The Frogs absolutely
destroyed the Ponies, with quarterback Treyvon Boykin having a hand in a total of
six of the touchdowns (four by his arm and two by his legs). They carried that momentum
into the Peach Bowl, where they dismantled Ole Miss to finish No. 3 in the country.
2022, TCU 42, SMU 34: If you have to return to the school you just left with the football
team you left them for and they happen to be rivals, Horned Frogs coach Sonny Dykes
did it the right way. SMU packed Ford Stadium for his return, the largest regular-season
crowd there, ready for a little justice. It was not to be found, as the Frogs attacked
early and held on late for the victory. It was one of many incredible moments in that
first season for Dykes and the Frogs, who had magical victories against Oklahoma State
and Baylor, beat Michigan in the Fiesta Bowl, played for a National Championship and
finished the season ranked No. 2 in the country. Sept. 13, 2025: TBD
