TCU defends the belt, 56–37, at home over SMU.

TCU's high-powered passing attack proved too much for SMU in this Fort Worth showdown, as the Horned Frogs dominated with efficient offensive execution to retain the belt with a 56-37 victory. SMU struck first with Xavier Jones punching in a 2-yard touchdown, but TCU answered immediately when Trevone Boykin connected with KaVontae Turpin for a 61-yard TD, setting the tone for a Horned Frog offense that would exploit the SMU defense all afternoon. The first half saw TCU pull away decisively, with Boykin orchestrating multiple scoring drives capped by his touchdown passes to Josh Doctson and Dominic Merka plus a 20-yard rushing TD, while SMU managed only sporadic scores despite Matt Davis's late first-half TD pass to Courtland Sutton. Though SMU's defense generated pressure in the second half and Davis moved the ball effectively at times, TCU's superior efficiency and explosive plays—particularly Boykin's 54-yard connection to Doctson late in the first quarter and his 20-yard TD run in the second—overwhelmed any SMU momentum. The Frogs' ability to sustain drives with their 5-of-9 third-down conversion rate and control the game with 27 minutes of possession time sealed the result.