TCU Football: 3 takeaways from Iron Skillet collapse against SMU

1. TCU defense struggled with Shane Buechele

Ultimately, the TCU defense let down an offense that contributed 38 points to the effort. It was a highly disappointing display by a Horned Frogs unit that came into the game giving up only 210 yards and 10 points per game through their first two outings. They will no longer rank in the top 10 nationally in either of those categories after falling at home to the Mustangs.

While opponents have struggled to pass on the Horned Frogs throughout the beginning of the season, it proved no trouble at all for Shane Buechele. The former Texas quarterback has been a godsend for the Mustangs at quarterback, and he came up big again in the Battle for the Iron Skillet. Buechele finished with 288 passing yards and two touchdowns through the air on 23-of-34 passing, and he added 30 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground on nine carries.

TCU fared better against the run, holding the Mustangs to two and a half yards per carry. But they gave up three rushing scores, including the one to Buechele, as they proved incapable of stopping the SMU backfield in short-yardage situations near the goal line.

TCU is left with a lot of question marks that will need to be rectified in film review on Sunday. For now, the representatives from Dallas will head home with the Iron Skillet for the first time since 2011, and all that is left for the Horned Frogs is to rebound quickly into their Big 12 schedule.