No. 21 SMU (5-1, 2-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference) is set to face Stanford (2-4, 1-2) this Saturday at 8 p.m. ET, available on the ACC Network. According to BetMGM, SMU is favored by 14.5 points in this matchup. Historically, the Cardinal have the upper hand in the series, having won their only previous encounter, a 7-0 decision during the 1936 Rose Bowl.
This upcoming game marks the first-ever conference clash between these two teams since SMU joined the ACC. The Mustangs are off to an impressive start this season, looking to keep their unblemished conference record intact. In contrast, Stanford is reeling from three consecutive losses, suffering a combined deficit of 92 points. They are also eager to secure their first victory at home in the ACC.
One of the key matchups to watch will be SMU’s quarterback Kevin Jennings facing off against Stanford’s defense. Jennings put on a stellar performance in his last outing, recording a career-high 394 total yards, which included 281 yards through the air and 113 yards on the ground, highlighted by a 59-yard touchdown run. This achievement makes him the first player from SMU since Matt Davis in 2014 to accomplish at least 200 passing and 100 rushing yards in a single game. Stanford’s defense has struggled this season, ranking 118th nationally, allowing 266.7 yards passing per game.
Among the notable players to keep an eye on, SMU’s running back Brashard Smith has proven to be a significant asset, ranking seventh in the nation for total touchdowns with eight. He also sits in ninth place nationally for all-purpose yards, averaging 151.2 per game and boasting an impressive 7.3 yards per carry. On the other side, Stanford’s defensive back Jshawn Frausto-Ramos had a commendable performance during a challenging game against Notre Dame, contributing seven tackles alongside a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Some interesting figures surrounding the game include that SMU has achieved seven consecutive road victories, marking the second-longest active streak in college football today. Additionally, under coach Rhett Lashlee, the Mustangs have a remarkable record of 21-1 when scoring at least 30 points. Their defensive line has been strong as well, with no sacks allowed in four of their six games played. The team has also managed to force at least one turnover in each of their last five games, continuing this trend in 15 of their past 16 contests dating back to 2023. Conversely, Stanford has struggled at home against FBS opponents, with 10 losses in their last 10 home games and a discouraging record of 16 out of 17 during this stretch. Under coach Troy Taylor, they have yet to secure a victory against ranked teams, currently holding an 0-8 record in such matchups, with their last victory against a ranked team dating back to October 2, 2021, against No. 3 Oregon.