101st Battle for the Iron Skillet between SMU-TCU sold out
It’s not a surprise, but SMU–TCU is officially a sellout, making for an incredible atmosphere in the 101st Battle for the Iron Skillet. SMU Football announced the news on Wednesday as the 11 a.m. CT kickoff on ESPNU looms Saturday.
It’s the first SMU-TCU matchup as head coach for Rhett Lashlee. Lashlee faced TCU as SMU offensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019, which included SMU’s first of two straight wins over TCU in 2019.
“It’s SMU-TCU week. It’s a big week every year for us,” Lashlee said on Wednesday. “We’ve not shied away from that. It’s a big home game for us, it’s our next game. We’re not preparing any different than we normally do. If we did, that would signal that we don’t normally prepare our best. Our guys are hungry to get back out and play after last week because we feel like we did a lot of things well, but we didn’t win a game so we’re ready to get back on the field and try to get a win.”
Emotions going to be high for SMU-TCU
Facing its former head coach in Sonny Dykes, SMU players will have to manage their emotions. SMU wideout Rashee Rice, who is taking a business-like approach to this year’s rivalry game, is excited for the chance to defend home turf.
“It’s pretty cool. I never got to play them here at home so I’m looking forward to defending our home and obviously getting the win,” Rice said on Tuesday. “I’m very excited, I’m humbled. I’m just ready to play on Saturday.”
“That’s amazing,” SMU cornerback Brandon Crossley added. “I really can’t wait to see the environment and what the fans have in store for us, but it’s gonna be fun.”
In front of the sellout crowd, SMU is hoping not to hear the TCU fight song. Lashlee played the song as practice got underway this week, hoping to make his players extra motivated not to hear it.
“It was really bad,” SMU linebacker Jimmy Phillips, Jr. said. “But if you think about it, you either hear it right now or in the game. And you don’t want to hear it in the game.”
