Horned Frogs vs Mustangs NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
The Horned Frogs have been stealthily sneaking up the rankings with their perfect start to the season.
This is their first year in the BIg 12 and this is their last nonconference game for the year.
#14 TCU Horned Frogs (3-0) vs SMU Mustangs (1-2)
Saturday September 29
Gerald Ford Stadium – Dallas, TX
7:00PM
Moneyline: TCU -900, SMU +600 at TopBet.eu
Spread: TCU -16.5
O/U: 54.5
TCU
They should be able to compete with their new brothers but so far have not really been tested (including a conference victory against Kansas).
These teams are familiar with each other and TCU should be looking to avenge last year’s defeat.
TCU had a big loss last week with the injury to running back Waymon James. They should still have plenty of juice in their running attack but he was a key contributor.
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QB Casey Pachall has been very efficient this year with sophomore receiver Brandon Carter emerging as a big play threat with more TDs through three games than he had all last season.
He and Josh Boyce are forming an underrated but lethal receiving duo.
These teams have faced each other a lot and the Horned Frogs are seemingly always the favourite. TCU has won 8 of the last ten but their ATS record is just 3-7 against SMU including the loss as a heavy favourite last year.
To me, coach Gary Patterson seems like one of those guys who never forgets and will keep his team motivated
SMU
Since coach June Jones came to town the Mustangs have used a pretty potent offense to breathe life back into the program. This year they were retooling on offense but thanks to a key transfer and the return of the toughest running back in Conference USA another solid season was in the offing. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
At 1-2 and with another loss looming SMU is looking like it might be a non-factor this year.
That transfer was Texas retread Garrett Gilbert who once upon a time was the #2 rated QB as a high schooler.
He may look the part but as a Mustang he is still struggling with keeping the passes to the guys in the right coloured jerseys. The running back – Zach Line – continues to be a load with 100 yard games against Baylor and Texas A&M.
Last year he rushed for 120 yards against the vaunted TCU defense.
SMU started fast in this game last year. They were up 17-0 before TCU awoke from their slumber, held on for the tie in regulation and then snuck out the victory in overtime. I think they are going to have to try and put TCU away in regulation this time – unlikely.
Last year they were flying high on a 3 game winning streak heading into the Iron Skillet rivalry.
This year they are cold and lifeless.
Spread Pick: SMU +16.5
O/U Pick: Over
Score Prediction: TCU 35 – SMU 20
