As the calendar ticks over to November, the Miami Hurricanes go on the road for the 2nd time, and leave the State of Florida for the first time, as they travel to Dallas to face the SMU Mustangs.
Another new ACC member last year, this is the first conference game between the Canes and Mustangs. SMU stormed into the ACC last year, going 8-0 in conference and making it to the ACC Championship game in their inaugural season. Based on that alone, this is one of the games to circle on the schedule for
the Canes in 2025.
SMU Hurricanes
In case you missed it, there are a TON of connections between the Canes and Mustangs. Leading the Mustangs is Head Coach Rhett Lashlee, a former Miami offensive coordinator who left Miami to step into his first head coaching role here at SMU. Known for his high powered spread offenses, Lashlee has compiled an 18-9 record in 2 years as head coach. Obviously, last season’s 11-3 record and College Football Playoff appearance was a major step forward from the 7-6 season SMU had in 2023, and they look to continue that level of success in 2025.
Lashlee isn’t the only SMU coach with Miami experience. Associate Head Coach/Co-OC/Receivers coach Rob Likens coached receivers at Miami under Lashlee. Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line coach Garin Justice coached OL at Miami under Lashlee. Quarterback coach D’Eriq King was a dynamic QB under Lashlee for Miami in 2020 before an ACL tear ended his career early in 2021. Assistant OL coach Reggie Bain spent 3 years as a grad assistant at Miami, and is the brother of current star EDGE Rueben Bain Jr.
Leading the Mustangs to their stellar record last year were a plethora of Miami transfers. Brashard Smith returned to his early HS and youth football roots by moving back to RB from slot receiver and having an All-ACC season. DT Jared Harrison-Hunte had his best collegiate season and was also 1st team All-ACC. C Jakai Clark was 2nd team All-ACC. WR Keyshawn Smith, and DE Elijah Roberts were honorable mention All-ACC. DE Jahfari Harvey, DE Elijah Roberts, RB Jaylan Knighton also played major roles for SMU last year.
WR Romello Brinson transferred to SMU and redshirted last season before making his debut in the CFP. He will be a top of the rotation receiver this year. And, looking to follow in Smith’s dynamic and productive footsteps at running back, speedster Chris Johnson Jr. left Miami due to a lack of playing time (in a loaded RB room on the #1 offense in America in 2024 but I digress) to be the next incredibly fast Swiss Army Knife for Lashlee to unleash on opposing defenses. And, though he never played at Miami, tight end RJ Maryland is a Miami legacy; his father Russell Maryland was a star at Miami in the late 1980s, playing on the 1987 and 1989 National Championship teams, being the first Hurricane to win the Outland Trophy, being named UPI Lineman of the Year, and being a Unanimous All-American before becoming the #1 Overall pick in the 1990 NFL Draft. The elder Maryland went on to star for the Dallas Cowboys, Oakland Raiders, and Green Bay Packers, winning 3 Super Bowls in his NFL career. Maryland was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Another new Miami to SMU transplant is former starting LT Zion Nelson. After starting 36 games in his first 3 seasons (2019-21), Nelson underwent knee surgery ahead of the 2022 season. Nelson played in 1 game in 2022 trying to return to action, but continual injuries and setbacks kept him from playing again. That was 3 seasons ago. Nelson’s knee issues continued to the point that, in June of 2024, he Medically Retired from football. I’m skeptical that he’ll play, but Nelson has transferred to SMU and is listed on their roster website as an active player. If he DOES play, it’ll be his first game action since September 2022.
Lastly, QB Tyler Van Dyke has transferred to SMU to reunite with Lashlee, who helped TVD earn ACC Rookie of the Year honors in 2021. Coming off an ACL tear sustained last year at Wisconsin, the plan for Van Dyke is to rehab, work and develop under Lashlee’s tutelage, and transfer somewhere else for the 2026 CFB season. If he’s not granted another year, Van Dyke hopes the reunion with Lashlee will be beneficial for his performance and make him a potential late round NFL Draft pick option.
SMU Mustang Offense
As we know from firsthand experience, Lashlee runs a high powered spread offense. He loves to get speed in space and let players make plays. Last season, SMU’s offense was 27th in the country in total yards, and 38th in yards per play (6.15). The Mustangs were tied for 7th nationally in points per game at 36.5, and eclipsed 40 points in 5 games.
Leading the way is QB Kevin Jennings Jr. After taking rotational snaps early, Jennings Jr. took over the starting job from incumbent Preston Stone in the 3rd game of the year and never left the lineup. Jennings Jr. is a pass-first player with enough athleticism to be a surprise in the run game if you forget about him. He’s quick and decisive with his throws, and runs the SMU up-tempo spread with great success. Containing him will be key to Miami’s gameplan against SMU.
As stated above, I fully expect Chris Johnson Jr. to step into the starting RB role with SMU this year. We all know the kind of speed he has (multiple time 100M and 200M State Champion in HS; game breaking speed in limited touches at Miami) so keeping him out of open space will be important. SMU employs a diverse run game, so Miami can’t get comfortable crashing down to stop inside zone, because other plays can hurt them.
SMU rotates receivers well, spreading the catches out among the majority of the roster. There were 6 players who had more than 20 catches for SMU last year, and an additional 3 players had more than 10 catches. With that being the case, every player who steps on the field can be an active target for SMU’s passing game. I’m sure the Mustangs hope to have a bit more of a clear hierarchy. I’d expect that to be led by TE Maryland, who had 24 catches in 7 games before his year ended with injury, but had 34 catches and 7 TDs in 2023, and some combination of Miami transfer Brinson and TCU transfer Jordan Hudson.
Up front, SMU has transfers from Arkansas, Oklahoma (x2) mixing with a couple of returners up front, including a former 1st team All-AAC and 3rd team All-ACC player in Logan Parr. I expect their OL to be solid, but not overwhelmingly dominant.
SMU Mustang Defense
In 2024, SMU’s defense was 26th in yards per game allowed (1 spot above Miami, for what it’s worth), but was tied for 6th in yards per play allowed at 4.67. They were particularly good against the run as well, ranking 9th nationally in rush yards allowed. That’s a testament to strong scheme, and strong performance, especially by the DL which routinely played 4 Miami transfers simultaneously.
SMU adds 8 DL transfers this year to replace the outgoing talent. Leading the way is Jeffrey M’Ba, a former blue chip recruit who played at Purdue before going to JUCO last year. He was the #2 JUCO recruit in the portal this year, so the 6’6” DT is a player to know.
Zakye Barker is the headline transfer at Linebacker. He was 1st team All-AAC at East Carolina, and he figures to be a do-it-all player in the middle of the SMU defense this season.
In the secondary, a diverse group of homegrown players and key transfers look to continue the success from 2024. Nearly everyone returns (only 2 starters graduated), so with a year of internal development and a couple of key additions, this figures to be an area of strength for the Mustangs.
Early Prediction
As you well know, this is game will be Miami’s first trip outside the State of Florida for the 2025 season. That, coupled with the fact that SMU is likely the 2nd or 3rd best opponent on the schedule, will make this one of the games that defines Miami’s 2025 season.
Adding in another narrative layer: November 1st is SMU Homecoming. So, expect the stadium to be keyed up, the emotions to be high, and for the Mustangs to bring their A game to the field.
Both Miami and SMU have designs on the ACC Championship game, and this game will be a major factor in both teams’ path. I expect a high scoring, offensive game, with turnovers or a key defensive stop determining the winner.
SMU had an incredible 2024 season, going undefeated in the ACC and making it to Charlotte for the ACC Championship game. I expect them to take a small step back this year, but regardless of my expectations, Miami will need to be focused and play great football in all 3 phases of the game to emerge with a win.
Go Canes
