No. 10 Miami Hurricanes vs. SMU Mustangs: How to watch, what to know, 3 keys
The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (6-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) travel to face the SMU Mustangs (5-3, 3-1 ACC) on Saturday, with kickoff scheduled for noon at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas.
Here is what you need to know about the matchup.
How can I watch the Miami Hurricanes vs. SMU Mustangs game?
The game will be televised on the ESPN and available to stream on the ESPN app.
Who is favored in the Miami Hurricanes vs. SMU Mustangs game?
The Hurricanes are a 12.5-point favorites over SMU, according to Odds Shark as of Friday morning. The over/under is 50.5 points.
What is the history between the Miami Hurricanes and SMU Mustangs?
This is the second ever meeting between Miami and SMU. The Mustangs won the only other meeting between the schools 7-3 on Sept. 18, 1965.
What were the expectations for the Miami Hurricanes and SMU Mustangs entering the season?
Miami was voted to finish second to Clemson in the 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference.
SMU was voted to finish third in the ACC.
How has the season gone so far for the Miami Hurricanes and SMU Mustangs?
The Hurricanes swept through their nonconference schedule, with wins over the then-No. 6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, then-No. 18 USF Bulls and Florida Gators. Miami then opened ACC play with a 28-22 win over Florida State. UM then lost to the Louisville Cardinals for their first defeat of the season but rebounded with a resounding 45-7 win over Stanford.
SMU, which began the season ranked No. 16 in the AP poll, went 2-2 in nonconference play, losing its big matchups against Baylor and TCU. The Mustangs followed that with three consecutive wins to start ACC play against Syracuse, Stanford and Clemson but lost last week 13-12 to Wake Forest.
What are three keys for the Miami Hurricanes against the SMU Mustangs?
Don’t turn the ball over: The Mustangs lead college football with 20 forced turnovers, including 12 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries. The Hurricanes have turned the ball over just seven times, all on interceptions, but have not given up any points off those seven turnovers.
Handle business on the road: Saturday will be just Miami’s second road game of the season, with the other being at Florida State at the start of October. The game against SMU is the first of three over the final five weeks that the Hurricanes will play away from Hard Rock Stadium. UM’s season fizzled away last season with two road losses late in the season, to Georgia Tech and Syracuse. Miami will need to avoid repeating history to keep its College Football Playoff dreams alive.
Win in the trenches: Both teams are stout along the defensive line. Whichever team’s offensive line can best contain the opponent will have the upper hand on Saturday.
Who are three Miami Hurricanes players to watch?
Carson Beck: Beck has had his moments this season, and the veteran quarterback has a chance to have a breakout game against SMU as long as he doesn’t turn the ball over. SMU is giving up an average of 303.5 passing yards per game — only Air Force has allowed more (307.1 yards per game).
Rueben Bain Jr.: The raw numbers haven’t been there for Bain this season (28 tackles, three-and-a-half tackles for loss, two sacks), but the junior edge rusher has still been an overall disruptive force whose play has allowed teammates to finish.
Mark Fletcher Jr.: The junior is coming off the first three-rushing touchdown performance of his career. SMU has one of the country’s top run defenses, so Fletcher and the rest of Miami’s backfield will be tested on Saturday.
Who are three SMU Mustangs players to watch?
Kevin Jennings: The dual-threat quarterback, who has been hobbled by injuries, is a difference maker if he’s at full strength. He has completed 66.3% of his passes for 2,119 yards and 17 touchdowns with eight interceptions while also rushing for another touchdown.
Romello Brinson: The sixth-year senior wide receiver started his career at Miami and has thrived at SMU to close his college career. He leads the Mustangs this season with 37 catches, 515 receiving yards and three touchdown catches.
Isaiah Nwokobia: In addition to leading the Mustangs with 65 tackles, the veteran safety also has two interceptions and seven pass breakups.
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