Eye-popping SMU Football stats ahead of battling TCU for the Iron Skillet

With a quarter of the college football regular season in the books, SMU’s identity is starting to become clearer on the stat sheets. At 2-1, SMU is one of eight ACC teams with one loss on the year while seven teams remain unbeaten. They’ll take on one-loss TCU on Saturday in Gerald J. Ford Stadium. 

After scoring 29 points at Nevada, followed by 59 points against HCU, the Mustangs regressed in Week 2 against BYU. They fell 18-15 against the Cougars in a performance that head coach Rhett Lashlee described as “undisciplined.”

Saturday’s rivalry game against TCU will provide even more context to get a clear picture of where the Mustangs are before they begin ACC play. Here are some eye-popping stats to consider before the Battle for the Iron Skillet.

Third Down Efficiency

Saturday’s loss put a spotlight on the Mustangs’ issues converting on third down. They went just 3-for-16 on third down in Week 2, pushing their overall third down efficiency to just 40.48%. It’s a dip from the team’s 42.8% last season.

Third Down Efficiency: 40.48%, ranks No. 71 in FBS

Against Nevada and BYU, SMU consistently found itself in third-and-long situations after either an early-down penalty or sacks. The offensive line and quarterback Preston Stone gave up three sacks, losing 27 yards. Though it was the team’s first sacks given up on the year, they significantly impacted their chances to convert on third down. Stone will not be the quarterback starting against the Horned Frogs, instead Kevin Jennings will have his shot at improving the team’s third-down efforts.

Flag on the Play

Entirely related to the Mustangs’ woes have been their penalties so far this season. With 11 coming against Nevada in that narrow win and seven from the narrow loss to BYU, SMU has become one of FBS’s most penalized programs this season.

Team Penalties: 24, T-104th in FBS

Penalty Yardage: 239 yards, T-15th most in FBS

After being penalized more than 100 yards against the Wolfpack, the Mustangs have yet to tighten up the ship. For comparison, TCU has drawn 17 penalties for a loss of 200 yards so far this season.

SMU’s Red Zone Trips

Only 23 teams in the country have taken more trips to the red zone than SMU so far this season, however, there is a major discrepancy for the Mustangs in terms of success. 

Red Zone Trips: 14, ranks T-24th in FBS

Red Zone Success: 78.6%, T-99th in FBS

With 14 red zone trips total in three games, SMU has had the chance to score 98 points. However, they’ve scored just 61 because they’ve only had seven touchdowns and settled for four field goals. Three of their red zone trips yielded no points at all. Improvement in this area is a major goal for Rhett Lashlee after the team’s Week 3 bye.

Turnover Margin

The SMU defense has put in stout performances through three games, thanks in large part due to their ability to steal the ball from their opponents and stop drives cold. Scott Symons’ unit has banked six turnovers, however, the team overall is just +1 in the turnover margin.

Turnovers Gained: 6, T-15th in FBS

Turnover Margin: 1, T-49th in FBS

SMU is one of 23 teams in the country with three or more lost fumbles through three games. Despite fumbling 15 times last season, the team only lost six, which means the Mustangs are trending in the wrong direction with their ball security.