09.22.2023

Today’s Forecast

97º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:21 a.m. | Sunset 7:17 p.m.

Cue the Hypnotoad

Battle of the Iron Skillet: The century-old rivalry between TCU and SMU

TCU is the current holder of the Iron Skillet trophy. | Photo by Sharon Ellman/TCU Magazine

One of the longest-standing college rivalry match-ups in Texas is upon us. Coach Sonny Dykes and the Horned Frogs (2-1) will face off against Rhett Lashlee and the SMU Mustangs (2-1) in the Battle for the Iron Skillet this Saturday, Sept. 23, at Amon G. Carter Stadium.

In honor of the big game, we’re diving into the spirit and tradition that has brought students, families, and alumni together for more than a century.

🍳 The Iron Skillet Trophy

The origin of the Iron Skillet remains a topic of debate between the two teams, but one thing the rivals can agree on is when the game originated. The first rivalry game was in 1946, nearly 30 years after the first meeting between TCU and SMU. But one story remains a mystery — the trophy itself.

TCU’s version: The skillet tradition started during the post-World War II era when college football was booming in popularity. In 1993, the student bodies from both universities set up rules for the traveling trophy, which became the Iron Skillet.

SMU’s version: An SMU fan fried frog legs as a joke before the game and an offended TCU fan suggested that the game should decide who would get the skillet and the frog legs. The skillet exchange eventually evolved into a long-standing tradition.

FTW-Iron Skillet poster — This game program from 1928 was just 25 cents. | Photo provided by SMU

🏈 The all-time record

The two teams have played each other in all but six seasons since their first meeting in 1915. TCU won the most recent game in 2022, with a 42-34 victory on SMU turf, and owns a 52-42-7 all-time lead in the Iron Skillet series.

Despite not being in the same conference, TCU and SMU have agreed to play each season through 2025 on an alternating home-and-away basis.

🎟️ Watch history be made

Kickoff is at 11 a.m. at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Standing Room tickets are still available for $50 or you can watch the game from home on Fox Sports.

Asked

What do you think the final score will be?

Make your guess

Events

Friday, Sept. 22

Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 22-Saturday, Sept. 23 | Times vary | Trinity Park, 2933 Farmhouse Way, Fort Worth | $10-$20 | Celebrate German culture during this multi-day festival with German beer, Bavarian food, shopping, family-friendly entertainment, and the Dachshund Dash.
2023 Plano Balloon Festival | Friday, Sept. 22-Sunday, Sept. 24 | Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve, 5901 Los Rios Blvd., Plano | $0-$10 | Watch as dozens of hot air balloons fly sky-high over Collin County during the annual event.

Saturday, Sept. 23

Fall Festival | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 1-3 p.m. | Fort Worth Public Library - Summerglen, 4205 Basswood, Fort Worth | Free | Celebrate the first day of fall with festive activities in a family-friendly atmosphere.

Sunday, Sept. 24

Grooming Class | Sunday, Sept. 24 | 3-4 p.m. | The Origami Dog, 309 Houston St., Fort Worth | Free | Learn how to properly trim your pet’s nails and keep anxiety low during the process.

Monday, Sept. 25

21st Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament | Monday, Sept. 25 | 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Iron Horse Golf Club, 6200 Skylark Cir., North Richland Hills | $1,200-$10,000 | Join Trinity Metro for a friendly and fun golf tournament benefiting the Fort Worth Transportation Authority Scholarship Fund.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Arts

🎥 The early bird gets the ~~worm~~ Lone Star Film Festival all-access pass

Lone Star Film Festival’s 25% off all-access pass sale is ending soon

Presented by a FTWtoday Partner

an older man in a sherpa denim jacket sits in an audience section and thinks

This deal is so good you actually don’t have to think about it. | Photo by Manny Pandya

If there are two things that we love here at FTWtoday, it’s cool arts festivals and a good deal — which is why we love Lone Star Film Festival’s annual all-access pass sale.

Each year, Lone Star Film Festival (happening this year Thursday, Nov. 2-Sunday, Nov. 5) showcases the best feature-length films, documentaries, narrative short films, and even student films at the Fort Worth Stockyards alongside star-studded appearances. (Past attendees include Ethan Hawke, Willie Nelson, Taylor Sheridan + more.)

The sale is a fantastic opportunity to experience all of the festival’s film screenings, talks, happy hours + parties at a big discount — what’s not to love?

During the sale, you’ll save 25% on your purchase of an all-access pass. Read: Normally, they’re $300, but you can get them for $225 now through Monday, Sept. 25.

See you at the film festival, Fort Worth.

Get tickets before they’re gone

News Notes

Holiday

Yom Kippur begins at sundown this Sunday, Sept. 24, marking the beginning of the Day of Atonement and the holiest day of the Jewish calendar. Those who observe will refrain from eating or drinking until nightfall on Monday, Sept. 25.

Edu

TCU Athletics and the Neeley School of Business partnered with Robinhood Marketplace to help student-athletes navigate the NIL (name, image, likeness) landscape. Through the agreement, Robinhood will provide funding to support finance classes offered at Neeley and its dedicated NIL programming.

Ranked

Texas Oncology, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Texas Health Resources are just a few of the DFW businesses that topped Forbes’ 2023 list of “America’s Best Employers By State.” The survey asked participants about recommending their employer to others, working conditions, diversity, compensation packages, and potential for development.

Festival

Fort Worth Food and Wine Festival is hosting a Night Market on Thursday, Nov. 30 with a celebration of global culinary flavors. Held at The Shack at Panther Island Pavilion, the event will feature light bites and craft cocktails starting at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $65-$89.

Seasonal

Fall is just one day away, which means spooky season is upon us. Howell Farms in Arlington is back with its Pumpkin Nights, featuring a half-mile walking path filled with 5,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins. Stop by at 4016 W. Division St. through Monday, Oct. 30.

Plan Ahead

FAR Out Hospitality — created by chefs Felipe Armenta and Graham Elliot — will host a Far Out Feast in November with cuisine from their concepts including Maria’s Mexican Kitchen, Le Margot, F1 Smokehouse, and Cowboy Prime. The dinner is Wednesday, Nov. 8 at the Fort Worth Club. Tickets are $195.

Trending

Show off your TCU pride and head over to Brewed on Magnolia Avenue for brunch and a Horned Frogs pop-up. The cafe is decked out with TCU balloons, streamers, Instagrammable backdrops + purple food and drinks. The purple pop-up will be there until November.

Fun Fact

Whiskey returned 314% over the last 10 years. Invest in fine whiskeys and wines with Vinovest to diversify your portfolio and watch it age like fine wine.*

Wellness

Meet Beam Dream: a nighttime hot cocoa crafted with ingredients like reishi and melatonin. In a clinical study, 93% of users woke up feeling more refreshed. Get sippin’.*

Travel

✈️ Heads up, travelers

Renovations are underway at DFW Airport’s Terminal D

The Terminal D upgrades will temporarily close the south lobby. | Photo via DFW Airport

If you plan to fly internationally out of DFW Airport, listen up. Terminal D is undergoing some much-needed upgrades that may impact your travel time.

What to expect

Known as the international terminal — and the place for airport shopping — Terminal D was constructed in 2005 for $1.2 billion.

Earlier this week, airport officials announced several new projects that are underway, including upgrades to the south lobby and checked baggage equipment.

The impacts on customers

The south lobby of Terminal D will be restricted until the project wraps up next spring and some of the check-in counters will be temporarily relocated.

Here’s how the new bag check-in process will work:

Travelers will check their bags as usual at the airline’s counter.
After the bag is checked, airline staff will direct customers to the center of the lobby to drop off their bags and complete the check-in process.
Travelers can then proceed through the TSA checkpoints as usual.

American Airlines passengers flying out of Terminal D should use the alternate check-in area near D30.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Rebecca

From the editor

The Iron Skillet game is one of my favorite games of the year. A portion of my family attended TCU, while others graduated from SMU.

Despite growing up a Horned Frogs fan, I’m torn between who I want to win. My partner is on the coaching staff at SMU so I’ll be sitting in the visitor’s section at the game, but deep down I’ll be cheering on the Horned Frogs for a back-to-back rivalry win.

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