SMU coach Sonny Dykes and TCU coach Gary Patterson have known each other for years and have grown to become great friends. There's even the speculation of Patterson being the coach to cast the lone vote for SMU in the latest Coaches Poll -- something Patterson never truly confirmed or denied but joked when speaking to reporters that it "could've been" him.

Dykes worked under Patterson as an offensive analyst in 2017, prior to taking over head coaching duties at SMU. They know what each other bring to the table, which makes Saturday's edition of the "Battle for the Iron Skillet" intriguing. It helps that both teams enter the contest undefeated, with SMU coming in with its first 3-0 start since 1984.

"SMU is a good football team and doing a great job," Patterson said in this week's Big 12 coaches teleconference. "If you watch the end of last year, I thought they started coming on; I was paying attention. They're running the football well and throwing the deep ball well."

Patterson, who has TCU at 2-0 and ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll, spoke highly of SMU's consistency this season. Fresh off a 47-17 win against Texas State, the Mustangs are now averaging 550 yards and 44.3 points per contest on offense, and they've forced five turnovers and recorded 12 sacks on defense in three games. TCU walked away from Gerald J. Ford Stadium comfortably with a 42-12 win last season.

Saturday's 99th rendition of the game pitting local rivals, however, isn't one Patterson looks at as a cake walk.

"They have good players. They play together and hard on defense," Patterson said. "We have a lot of work to do. Coach Dykes and his staff have done a great job."

The Horned Frogs defeated Purdue, 34-13, last Saturday. TCU is a team that, like most years under Patterson, is relying on its defensive play. The Horned Frogs are allowing only 209.5 yards and less than nine first downs per game. TCU's run game has been impressive, as the team has allowed an average of only 62 yards per contest.

Look for the two teams to come out swinging on Saturday. At the end of the game, expect Patterson and Dykes to meet in the middle of the field as longtime buddies in the coaching game.

"The good thing is Coach Dykes and I, at least from my standpoint, are good friends, [and] wives are good friends," Patterson said. "But it's three hours you got to get after each other, and then you go about your life."

SMU (3-0) at No. 25 TCU (2-0)

2:30 p.m. Saturday, Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth