Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, October 4 at 3:30 p.m. ET
- Network: ACC Network
- Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium — Dallas, TX
- Spread: SMU (-17.5)
- Over/under: 56.5
- All-time series: SMU leads, 1-0
- Last meeting: SMU 16, Syracuse 6 — October 15, 1932
- Current streak: SMU, 1 (1932)
Setting the scene
It took nearly a century for SMU and Syracuse to locate each other on the gridiron again. The last meeting between the teams transpired in 1932 — seven years before the sport even required helmets.
Plenty
has changed since then, including the conference realignment landscape which now makes SMU and Syracuse share a league despite being located roughly 1,500 miles apart. While Syracuse (3-2, 1-1 ACC) had an eventful roller coaster to open ACC play, this matchup in Dallas marks the conference opener for SMU (2-2, 0-0 ACC).
Syracuse Orange outlook
Syracuse produced 10 wins in Fran Brown’s inaugural season, and an upset over Miami (FL) in the regular season finale altered SMU’s ACC title game opponent. The Orange greatly assisted Clemson on that Saturday afternoon, but 10 months later, Brown’s team was no longer an ally to Dabo Swinney and the Tigers.
Syracuse was flying incredibly high after a 34-21 road victory over the reigning ACC champions to improve to 1-0 in conference play. However, the statement victory wasn’t without loss, and it was quite a devastating loss suffered in Death Valley. Starting quarterback Steve Angeli suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in the late third quarter of the victory, undergoing surgery in the aftermath of the game. The importance of Angeli’s injury cannot be understated. Even after missing last week’s game, he ranks top 10 in the FBS with 1,317 passing yards, displaying 10 touchdowns to two interceptions. The Notre Dame transfer was on track for another season of video game passing numbers, similar to the one Kyle McCord produced last season.
The Orange severely missed Angeli’s presence last Saturday in the JMA Wireless Dome. Rickie Collins stepped into the starting role and Duke ran Syracuse out of its own building in 38-3 fashion. The previously high-flying Orange offense could not manage a touchdown in its home stadium, burdened by a 3-0 turnover battle defeat and a futile run game.
Collins finished 24-of-37 for 229 yards and an interception in his starting debut, and he’ll gain more comfortability with his second week of game prep as QB1. The sophomore from Baton Rouge faces the nation’s 136th-ranked passing defense which could give him more confidence to air it out. Four main receivers star in a Syracuse aerial attack which ranks seventh nationally in production. Those include Darrell Gill Jr., Johntay Cook, Justus Ross-Simmons, and tight end Dan Villari — all who boast 16+ receptions for 230+ yards.
Will Nixon is also a frequented target with 13 receptions on the season, and he is one leg of Syracuse’s tailback tandem. Nixon and Yasin Willis guide the run game, looking for a bounce-back week after the team collected just 85 yards on 27 attempts vs. Duke.
Although Syracuse failed to reach the end zone in Week 5, the issues persisted beyond the offense as Duke generated an efficient 503 yards having their way with the run game and pass game against the Orange. Syracuse surrendered the exact same yardage output the week prior to Clemson, but there were two key differences. Against the Tigers, the Orange forced opportune turnovers and consistently got off the field on third and fourth down — qualities which didn’t translate against Duke.
Looking to play a role in turnover production is cornerback Demetres Samuel Jr. The 17-year old true freshman — a likely candidate for a Freshman All-American team — ranks second on the unit with 25 tackles and first with six pass deflections as defenses test the youngster early and often. He’s thrived in the face of pressure, and SMU’s potent passing offense will certainly throw his way often Saturday afternoon.
Contrasting in age is fellow defensive starter David Reese. The eighth-year senior edge rusher looks to spearhead a pass rush which has produced seven sacks through five games. That pressure can positively correlate with a better turnover output, which Syracuse strives for as three-score underdogs on the road in Dallas.
SMU Mustangs outlook
SMU entered the ACC as the ultimate underdog, forgoing conference revenue just for a shot to compete in the league. The Mustangs quickly shed that underdog status and they still haven’t lost a regular season ACC game since joining the league after an 8-0 finish in 2024. Dating back to November 2022, SMU rides the nation’s longest streak with 17 consecutive regular season conference wins. The Mustangs encountered some adversity with a 2-2 start in non-conference play, but they likely control their own destiny for another College Football Playoff appearance simply by maintaining that streak.
SMU is fresh off a bye week, and the Mustangs needed that reset badly. The team suffered a slew of injuries across four non-conference matchups, ranging from quarterback Kevin Jennings — who rolled his ankle in Week 4 at TCU — to the offensive line. Although his mobility has been limited due to a nagging ankle injury, Jennings is slated to start his 16th-straight game for SMU this Saturday. The veteran quarterback has dropped a consistent 260-295 passing yards in all four starts thus far, populating the stat sheet with nine touchdowns and five interceptions. Jennings has displayed efficiency outside of the interceptions, and the turnovers must be sliced by the Mustangs moving forward as they average two per game.
The Mustangs are 27th nationally in passing offense and feature several viable receivers to assist Jennings. Jordan Hudson returned from a Week 1 shoulder injury to suit up against TCU — cleared the morning of the game — and the bye week should further help his recovery. In Hudson’s absence, Romello Brinson emerged as a star. The deep threat ranks fourth in the ACC with 365 receiving yards, and he averages over 19 yards per catch with multiple 60+ yard gains on the year. Other premier targets include true freshman Jalen Cooper and the tight end duo of RJ Maryland and Matthew Hibner — a tandem which showcased plenty of firepower during the Mustangs’ 2024 playoff push.
SMU’s defense was elite in many areas last year, but the Mustangs are struggling mightily in passing defense. They currently allow the most passing yards in the FBS at 335 per game, allowing TCU wide receiver Eric McAlister to feast for 254 yards and three touchdowns last time out. Defensive coordinator Scott Symons is addressing the early season shortcomings by shuffling players’ roles in the secondary, including Deuce Harmon who could see more of a nickel role after previously suiting up as a boundary corner. Another adjustment involves rotating players in more often. SMU’s passing defense has been at its worst in fourth quarters — where it squandered leads to Baylor and TCU — and deeper rotations can provide fresher legs to star safeties Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia when the chips are on the table.
Despite a glaring weakness, there are strengths within the Mustang defense. SMU fields a strong run defense, ranking in the upper quartile of the country in tackles for loss and sacks. These were facets in which the Mustangs excelled in 2024, and another area of success that translated to 2025 was turnover creation. SMU is tied for seventh in the FBS with nine takeaways with Jaelyn Davis-Robinson’s two interceptions leading the charge.
Special teams is one other area to monitor for SMU. The Mustangs have rotated kickers this season and are 2-of-7 on field goals as a whole. This is one area they must shore up quickly before the next close matchup approaches.
Prediction
Syracuse should see a much stronger offensive performance from last week, given more preparation time for Rickie Collins to prepare for his starting quarterback role, coupled with the struggles in SMU’s passing defense. The Orange may not be able to produce the best rushing performance in Dallas, but a pass-happy offense could easily produce 300 yards and several end zone appearances in this ACC clash.
SMU’s offense looks well-equipped to thrive against a Syracuse unit which ranks 126th with 465 yards allowed per contest. Even on a bad ankle with limited mobility, Kevin Jennings has stepped into some tremendous throws to keep the Mustangs’ passing offense incredibly dangerous. Given SMU’s improved wide receiver health, it should be a bounce-back week for the offense which was limited to 24 points at TCU.
SMU wins its 18th-straight regular season conference matchup, improving to 1-0 in a quest to regain a ranking and appear in another ACC Championship.
Prediction: SMU 35, Syracuse 20
