Mustangs looking for some wasabi flavored revenge
And so we find ourselves on Dallas this week in a Fenway Bowl rematch. The weather won’t be a factor this time as the Eagles take on the #14 SMU Mustangs. The Pony Express has been rolling in their inaugural ACC season. At 8-1, they were one spot out of College Football Playoff spot after the first ranking and are the only undefeated team remaining in conference. After demolishing then-undefeated Pittsburgh, SMU had an off week to prepare for Boston’s College. Little did they know that they would need that extra preparation to account for the new BC with Grayson James now leading the charge.
Another Shootout (If We Can Keep it)
SMU’s only loss of the season was a narrow one at the hands of now #7 BYU back in early September. Since then it’s been nothing but points points points in well-balanced form. This is the 6th best scoring offense in the country at 40 points per game and .181 EPA/play (13th).
Kevin Jennings took over the starting QB job after week 3. He was thrusted into the starting role for last year’s Fenway Bowl due to injury, but now has full control and hasn’t lost a game. Jennings is strong runner but is coming off his best passing performance against Pitt. He threw for over 300 yards and two scores. On the season, he has thrown for 1900 yards and 12 touchdowns at a 65% completion rate. The offense leans on the run, but Jennings has been the 15th rated passer in efficiency and 3rd in yards per pass attempt (9.7).
Former Miami back Brashard Smith has over 1000 yards from scrimmage and 13 scores. Smith is officially listed as a running back/wide receiver, a testament to his all around play making ability. Jennings is the second leading rusher with over 300, but they’ll mix in a few backs.
Top receiver and one-time BC commit RJ Maryland is out for the year for the Mustangs. He’s a huge loss for SMU, but Matthew Hibner has stepped into the role and made some big plays. Quite a few receivers get involved here in rotation. Key’Shawn Smith has the next most with 354 yards and 3 scores and Jordan Hudson has had a nose for getting open for scores.
Some key offensive linemen transferred out coming in, but they’ve held strong led by right guard Justin Osborne and are third in the conference surrendering just 11 sacks.
Turnover Happy & Run Stoppers
SMU is two ahead of BC in turnovers (gained department) with 19 total. Their safeties are ball hawks, with Ahmaad Moses taking the next step this season with three picks one returned for a score. Isaiah Nwokobia leads the team in tackles from the other safety position and has two takeaways himself. Overall the team is +67 on points off turnovers. Grayson James will have more time to prepare than his shaky outing against WKU and will need to be mindful of the safeties. The corners though generally lack size and pass defense overall has shown vulnerability. They’re just below BC’s secondary in yards per game and per completion. I guess it’s a bit of a bend don’t break as well.
Not to put more on James, but the Mustangs run defense has been exceptional. They’re top of the ACC and fifth overall allowing just 90 yards a game on 2.77/carry. The linebackers Kobe Wilson and Ahmad Walker fly around and have one of the lowest missed tackle rates. They contribute to the league’s 4th ranked third down defense, six of the team’s takeaways. and 8 tackles for loss keeping this run defense elite. They have dealt with more zone blocking rushing teams so it’s not as though all hope is lost here.
Defensive end Elijah Roberts is a force to be reckoned with, second in the country with 31 hurries to go with his 3 sacks. Overall the team is getting home as often, but the pressure will be there.
Special teams
Kicker Collin Rogers has been one of the best in the country connecting on more 50+ yard field goals than anyone (7 for 10). He’s 16/21 overall, but they’re not going to be shy about taking a shot. BC has to manage the clock at each half’s end to limit extra scoring opportunities.