NFL Show
The (7-5) SMU Mustangs and (7-5) BYU Cougars face off in the New Mexico Bowl on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Cougars finished the regular season on a three-game win streak, defeating Boise State, Utah Tech, and Stanford to earn bowl eligibility. The Mustangs won four of their last five games, including their finale against Memphis, to earn an invite to the New Mexico Bowl. SMU boasts the nation's third-ranked passing offense, while BYU features a balanced offense just outside the top 50 in both passing and rushing.
The Mustangs are 3.5-point spread favorites, and the game total is 64.
SMU will be without leading receiver Rashee Rice (96 catches for 1,355 yards and 10 TDs) due to a toe injury, but that won't stop the Mustangs from tossing the pigskin around the field on Saturday. SMU's passing attack is among the nation's best, averaging 324.9 yards per game. QB Tanner Mordecai has passed for 3,306 yards, 31 touchdowns, and nine interceptions, completing 64.3 percent of his passing attempts. He boasts a 70.7 QRB, 35th-best in the country.
The future is on the other side of a brick wall, and @rhettlashlee's got us ready to run right through it. #PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/xBwLlRW3rK
— SMU FootbaIl (@SMUFB) November 28, 2022
Without Rice, Mordecai will rely on pass-catchers Jordan Kerley (538 receiving yards and 5 TDs), Dylan Goffney (20.5 yards per reception and 2 TDs), and RJ Maryland (290 receiving yards and 6 TDs). SMU averages 154.9 yards on the ground, led by senior Tyler Lavine (4.6 yards per carry for 551 rush yards and 9 TDs). The Mustangs' third-down offense is 82nd, and their red zone offense is 15th.
The Southern Methodist defense surrenders 34.7 points and 446.2 total yards per game, including 203.3 rushing yards and 242.8 passing yards. They're 82nd in third-down defense and 59th in red zone defense. Senior linebacker Jimmy Phillips Jr. leads the unit in tackles (76), senior defensive end Nelson Paul paces the pass-rushers with five sacks, and senior safety Tanner Mordecai0 is the team leader with three interceptions.