The Top Three Games in Iron Skillet History

The Iron Skillet is one of the longest rivalries in Texas college football history, with the first game being played pre-World War I. Officially, TCU leads the all-time series 49-40-7. Much debate has been made over when the rivalry started, but there is no arguing about the intensity of this rivalry.

With another big game between these two teams coming up in September, let’s take a look back at three of the most memorable games in the rivalry’s history.

3. November 30, 1935- SMU 20- TCU 14: A trip to the “Granddaddy of them all” was on the line, as the teams were not only playing for the SWC championship, but a trip to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, CA. The Mustangs came out on fire early, scoring 14 points in the first quarter.

Once TCU tied it up a gutsy pass on fourth and 4 by Bob Finley led to a 50 yard bomb and got SMU the victory.

2. November 24, 2000- TCU 62- SMU 7: Why would I make a blowout the number 2 game in a long rivalry? Because of the sheer dominance of the TCU offense. The Horned Frogs got six straight touchdowns at one point, and LaDainian Tomlinson’s 176 yards on the ground were simply an afterthought when it was all said and done since starting quarterback Casey Printer had five touchdowns.

The prank by TCU’s marching band? Even better when you realize they dropped fertilizer spelling out TCU in a brand new 54 million dollar stadium an instant disrespectful classic!

1. October 1, 2011- SMU 40- TCU 33 (OT): The only game in the history of the rivalry to go into overtime? Defeating a top 25 program? Of course it’s going to be number one! This game had everything you look for in a rivalry game. Casey Paschall threw three touchdown passes in the 4th quarter and once the teams got into overtime you can tell the intensity jumped up a notch.

In overtime the Mustangs scored first on a 19-yard touchdown pass from J.J. McDermott, and the defense got lucky as a tipped pass was dropped on fourth down, sealing the win.

This rivalry has been lopsided in recent years as the Horned Frogs have won five straight but that doesn’t mean upsets can’t happen. With TCU taking a step back last year and SMU trending up this year could be the Mustangs’ best chance in a while at getting the Iron Skillet to return to Dallas.

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