The UCF Knights play host to the SMU Mustangs on Sunday afternoon in an AAC thriller from FBC Mortgage Stadium. With Hurricane Ian's unfortunate timing, this game was pushed back to Sunday, though it isn't likely to change the excitement surrounding one of the best college football games of the weekend. The Mustangs come in with a 2-2 record, having lost back-to-back nailbiters. For the Knights, they come in at 3-1, having won two in a row in their own right. Last season, SMU dominated, though with UCF having dominated the series of late, this seems like a game that could certainly go either way.
For the Mustangs, preseason aspirations of coming away with the AAC title and being one of the top Group of 5 teams, have quickly given way to trying to snap out of their losing streak. Currently sitting on a two-game losing streak, the Mustangs now have to hit the road for one of the most challenging environments in the AAC. The hope is that losing one-score games to teams like Maryland and TCU over the last two weeks will serve this team well with the experience to run through conference play the best that they can. After dominating the Knights last season, the Mustangs are hoping they can find that form and energy and start AAC play with a crucial road win.
One advantage for the Mustangs is that they've been able to stay relatively healthy so far this season. Heading into this weekend, they have no injuries to report, and considering they might need every advantage they can get, it could go a long way towards d etermining this one.
Final from Ford.
SMU 34, TCU 42. @DriveSewell | #PonyUpDallas
— SMU FootbaIl (@SMUFB) September 24, 2022
Offensively, SMU is one of the most exciting teams to watch in the country and it starts with their passing game. Ranked fifth nationally in passing yards per game, this team has the explosiveness to stun UCF if not taken seriously. The running game hasn't been nearly as dominant, though it wouldn't come as a shock to see them put an emphasis on that in this one to control the clock and tempo. Tanner Mordecai (1385 yards, 12 touchdowns) is as elite as they come and it'll help to have his experience to lean on in this one.
As good as the offense has been this season, the lack of cohesiveness on the defensive side of things has left quite a bit to be desired this season. They rank 94th nationally in yards allowed per game on the defensive end while ranking 109th against the run. Considering UCF has one of the country's best ground games, this is a massive concern for Sunday. Isaac Slade-Matautia (25 tackles) will be counte d on to lead thr way, though Nelson Paul (20 tackles, 3 sacks) is the one who can dictate this game.