Texas Christian University has always been one of SMU’s biggest rivals. This private university located in Dallas’ sister city, Fort Worth, is considered to have many similarities with SMU. I know from personal experience that I, as well as many of my friends, was deciding between the two. Both are private, religiously affiliated universities with under 10,000 total enrollment located in Texas. Despite the similarities the schools share, there are differences that made us choose SMU over TCU.
Although Fort Worth is only a 45-minute drive from Dallas, the two cities could not be more different. Dallas is known for being a cosmopolitan city. Attractions like North Park, Highland Park Village, The Arts District and various restaurants, are what makes Dallas the trendy big city it is. Unlike Dallas, Fort Worth captures the essence of Texas. It is home to Billy Bobs, one of the biggest honkey-tonks in the world, and the Forth Worth Stockyards. The Stockyards bring visitors back to the Wild West with the Stockyards Championship Rodeo, the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and the Stockyards Museum.
Another difference between the two schools is the student body. TCU has over 2,000 more undergraduate students than SMU. Within their student body TCU has students from 85 different foreign countries while SMU students come from 90 different countries. Luckily for the boys at both schools, the percentage of female students is greater than the percentage of male students (SMU is 53% female and TCU is 59%).
For both schools, one of the most anticipated games of the season is the Iron Skillet. This Saturday students and alums will flock to the Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth to watch the Mustangs battle the Horn Frogs for over the 90th time. Although SMU’s football program has seen many highs and lows in it’s past, we are continuing to make our comeback and will give TCU, who has won two national championships compared to our one victory, a run for their money.
Texas Christian University
Southern Methodist University