No. 10 Miami at SMU
When: Saturday, Noon
Where: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas
TV: ESPN
Coaches: UM’s Mario Cristobal 28-17 (90-77 overall), SMU’s Rhett Lashlee 34-15
Line: Miami is favored by 11.5 points
Weather: 60 degrees, 43 percent chance of rain.
Quick slant: Miami bounced back from its first loss of the year with a 42-7 rout of Stanford at home. This is the Hurricanes’ first game outside the state of Florida. SMU is coming off an upset loss on the road at Wake Forest. This is the first matchup between the two programs since 1965 (the Mustangs won).
About No. 10 Miami (6-1, 2-1 ACC): The Hurricanes pounded the running game in their win over Stanford, rushing for 199 yards and five touchdowns. Miami may need more from its passing game this week, and quarterback Carson Beck is averaging 239 yards per game.
About SMU (5-3, 3-1 ACC): The Mustangs have typically had a high-powered offense under former Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee, but SMU managed just 12 points in a loss to Wake Forest. The Mustangs are 50th in the nation with 31.4 points per game.
Three things to watch
1. There will be plenty of familiar faces on the SMU sideline on Saturday. The Mustangs have four former Hurricanes on the roster — which is fewer than they had in the last couple seasons — and the coaching staff is full of former UM players and coaches. In addition to Lashlee, who was Miami’s offensive coordinator from 2020-21, SMU has former Hurricanes wide receivers coach Rob Likens, former offensive line coach Garin Justice, former Miami quarterback D’Eriq King, former UM graduate assistant Reggie Bain and former Hurricanes linebacker Ryan Ragone on staff.
2. The Mustangs have an odd combination of stats. SMU has the second-worst pass defense in the nation, allowing 303.5 passing yards per game. But the Mustangs also have 12 interceptions, which is tied for fourth nationally. That combination means Beck could have an excellent game on Saturday, but he will have to protect the ball and avoid a multi-turnover game like he had against Louisville.
3. Led by star Rueben Bain Jr., Miami has one of the nation’s best pass rushes. But this week will be a tough test. The Mustangs are the No. 2 pass-blocking team in the nation, according to Pro Football Focus. SMU has allowed 13 sacks, but many of those could be attributed to quarterback Kevin Jennings holding the ball for too long — Pro Football Focus grades eight of those sacks as Jennings’ responsibility. If the Hurricanes’ defenders can get around the Mustangs’ offensive line, Jennings could be a ripe target to sack.
