![\"DALLAS,](\"https:\/\/platform.underdogdynasty.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/172\/2025\/11\/gettyimages-2247724743.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0.004483500717356,0,99.991032998565,100\")
<\/a><\/p>\nDALLAS, TX – November 22: SMU Mustangs defensive end Isaiah Smith (#1) runs up field during the college football game between the SMU Mustangs and the Louisville Cardinals on November 22, 2025, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky\/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) Icon Sportswire via Getty Images<\/p>\n
SMU (8-3, 6-1 ACC) is on the brink of a third-straight conference championship appearance and a second-straight in the ACC. The Mustangs started 2-2 but entered a new gear after several hiccups vs. in-state Big 12 rivals early in the season. They\u2019re fresh off their two largest victories of the year \u2014 32-point dominations of Boston College and a shorthanded Louisville.<\/p>\n
Quarterback Kevin Jennings, the architect to last year\u2019s playoff run, is playing his best football now. The second-year starter rides a 3-game streak of firing over 300 yards, and he delivered an efficient three touchdowns in last week\u2019s 38-6 thrashing of the Cardinals. Due to battling season-long ankle injury, Jennings\u2019 mobility is noticeably limited compared to last year, but his pocket passing is as sharp as ever. Limiting interceptions will be key though, and SMU\u2019s hitting its stride in November due to a lack of turnovers compared to the two previous months.<\/p>\n
SMU is 34th nationally in scoring offense, checking in outside the top 15 for the first time since 2018. Still, this unit presents impressive skill talent to thrive, especially in the wide receiver room. Jordan Hudson has 90+ yards in four of his last five games, stepping up as SMU\u2019s No. 1 receiver after missing the bulk of September. Romello Brinson thrives as a deep threat as well, while Yamir Knight excels as a short-yardage threat on contested catches. But the Mustangs\u2019 passing game is granted another dimension thanks to a talented one-two punch of tight ends \u2014 RJ Maryland and Matthew Hibner, who combine for five touchdown receptions.<\/p>\n
The Mustangs are 100th in rushing, but T.J. Harden is looking to redefine that after generating 220 yards in the past two outings. It\u2019s not that SMU is necessarily bad at the run game (4.1 yards per carry), but Casey Woods\u2019 offense isn\u2019t grounding it as much this year, ranked 121st in the FBS in attempts.<\/p>\n
Despite a year-over-year drop in the offensive numbers, the primary reason SMU is in prime position for an ACC title game appearance is defense. No, it\u2019s not the passing defense which allows the third-most yards in the FBS at 281 per game, but rather, a relentless group of run-stoppers that also force the most turnovers in the nation. No team has more takeaways than the Mustangs\u2019 27, and free safety Ahmaad Moses is the leader of the movement with five interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Strong safety Isaiah Nwokobia also makes a significant impact with 11 picks in a Mustang uniform.<\/p>\n
The defensive line is perhaps the strongest unit on this defense, limiting opposing ball carriers to 3.0 yards per attempt (13th in FBS). Defensive end Isaiah Smith is the ACC leader with 17 tackles for loss in addition to 8.5 sacks. Three other d-linemen (Cam Robertson, Jeffrey M\u2019ba, Terry Webb) all boast at least 6.5 TFLs in a defense that relies significantly on pressure up front \u2014 which plays a significant role in the favorable turnover margin.<\/p>\n
California Golden Bears outlook<\/p>\n