By the end of the first 15 minutes of Saturday's game against TCU, SMU was up, 18-7. The fast start has been a calling card of sorts for the Mustangs all season long.

This season, SMU has outscored its opponents, 49-17, in the first quarter. From a yards perspective, the Mustangs has outgained their opponents, 595-174, in the first 15 minutes.

TCU only had 52 total yards in the first quarter. SMU had 143.

"It was important to get off to a good start, especially when you're playing on the road against a really good football team and a team that can feed off momentum," SMU coach Sonny Dykes said following the game. "TCU does that remarkably well. They're a team that when the momentum is going, they're feeding off of it, and they're difficult to do deal with. I think it was important to get off to a good start and get some confidence."

Saturday's fast start aided to SMU winning its first Iron Skillet since 2011. It also led the Mustangs being 4-0 for the first time since 1984.

The Mustangs now prepare for a USF team that has had troubles getting out of the gate this season. The Bulls have only scored 10 points in the first 15 minutes of their three games combined. Seven of those 10 came in their Sept. 14 win against South Carolina State.

The Bulls were idle last week. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. CT at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida.