Texas Christian @ Southern Methodist preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2015 ) Southern Methodist 37, Texas Christian 56

TCU will be missing versatile sophomore standout KaVontae Turpin because of a knee injury when it visits SMU in Friday's non-conference affair. Turpin, who leads the team in receiving and is one of the nation's top return specialists, tore his posterior cruciate ligament in last Saturday's victory over Iowa State.

The No. 21 Horned Frogs haven't divulged how longer Turpin (16 receptions, 196 yards) will be sidelined but they will certainly miss the gamebreaker. Turpin leads the nation in punt-return average (28.8 yards, one touchdown) and ranks fifth in kickoff returns (32.8). TCU is averaging 46 points per game but the Mustangs have been superb at thwarting the opposition and are tied for the national lead with nine interceptions through three games. "Defensively, we're playing really well right now." SMU coach Chad Morris said at a press conference. "We're creating turnovers. That's one of the biggest strengths that we have - interceptions. We're playing really sound."

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: TCU -21

ABOUT TCU (2-1): Junior quarterback Kenny Hill has excelled with this arm by throwing for 1,035 yards and four touchdowns but is also fleet with his legs and has rushed for 166 yards and six scores. Junior Kyle Hicks (225 rushing yards, five touchdowns) erupted for a career-best 117 yards against Iowa State and may receive a lot of work against the Mustangs to help limit takeaway opportunities for the ball-hawking SMU secondary. Sophomore outside linebacker Ty Summers (16 tackles versus Iowa State) and junior middle linebacker Sammy Douglas (17 the previous week against Arkansas) have rotated big games for a defense that might be without senior defensive end Josh Carraway (12 career sacks) because of a foot injury.

ABOUT SMU (2-1): The Mustangs are tied for third in the nation with 10 takeaways and the trio of senior cornerback Horace Richardson (three interceptions), sophomore cornerback Jordan Wyatt (three interceptions) and senior free safety Darrion Millines (two interceptions, team-best 22 tackles) have combined for eight of their nine interceptions. Junior defensive end Justin Lawler has been a force with 4.5 sacks - SMU has eight overall -- for a unit allowing 25 points per game. Redshirt freshman quarterback Ben Hicks has passed for 583 yards and two touchdowns but has been picked off five times while sophomore running back Braeden West (332 rushing yards, two touchdowns) and sophomore receiver Courtland Sutton (13 receptions, 336 yards, four touchdowns) are off to solid starts.

EXTRA POINTS

1. TCU has won 14 of the past 16 meetings and holds a 48-40-7 series edge.

2. Mustangs sophomore RB Xavier Jones (hamstring) is expected to return. He rushed for 115 yards in the season opener against North Texas before missing the past two games.

3. Horned Frogs junior WR John Diarse, a transfer from LSU, had seven receptions for 97 yards against Iowa State while taking advantage of playing time creating by Turpin's injury.

PREDICTION: TCU 52, SMU 37