The winner of this year’s TCU vs. SMU football game will likely hold onto the “Iron Skillet” for more than a year. Horned Frog fans are hoping it stays in Fort Worth. 

The teams have been playing each other for over a century, although the Iron Skillet dates back to the 1940s. The fact that the rivals aren’t scheduled to meet again in the near future has some fans feeling nostalgic.  

“Having a family member at SMU makes it more family-inclusive and makes the games more fun to watch,” William Brewster, a sophomore in the Neeley School of Business, said. “It’s like taking away tradition.”

For many students, the rivalry against Southern Methodist University in Dallas has always been about more than football.

“I’m lucky enough to have so many good friends who go to SMU, and sharing this game experience together has always been the highlight of each year at TCU, so it is upsetting that it is the last one,” Abby McMillian, a junior strategic communication major, said.

Some Horned Frogs said they are frustrated that future games have not been set.

“I have great memories from both freshman year when it was at home and going to Dallas last year,” Sam Janowsky, a junior finance and management double-major, said. “Although I am sad the teams won’t play my senior year, I am grateful that this one gets to be in our home stadium.”

With the prized Iron Skillet at stake, Saturday’s game promises to be high-tension. TCU has won this trophy 53 times out of the 103 games played. Following SMU’s 2024 win, the Horned Frogs are aiming to regain control. 

“If TCU were to win, I think it would lend us a lot of school pride, which is so important to us here,” Brooklyn Coppock, a junior strategic communication major, said. “I think having the win to back up the way we defend our name against SMU would be really exciting for us, TCU students. It would be special to hold onto the Iron Skillet forever for future TCU students to see and be able to recognize this part of TCU’s history.”