SMU (2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS) will have their first big challenge this season when they travel to College Park to meet Maryland (2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS) on Saturday night at 7:30pmET from Capital One Field.
This will also be the Terps' biggest test as they've handled Buffalo (31-10) and Charlotte (56-21) thus far. The Mustangs are coming off a 45-16 win over Lamar as a 48.5-point favorite at home last Saturday. They opened the season at North Texas, winning 48-10 as a 9-point favorite.
SMU returned quarterback Tanner Mordecai and added several transfers to help new coach Rhett Lashlee. They have the benefit of playing Houston and Cincinnati at home, while a rebuilding TCU team is next after this game. But the Mustangs, who went 8-4 last season, but just 4-4 in the American, are a scary team to face. A big reason is the Waco, Texas native at quarterback, who led the AAC with 3,628 yards passing last season and had 39 touchdowns to rank fifth in the nation. This season, Mordecai has thrown for 644 yards with three seven touchdowns and just one pick.
It's not just a boulder, it's a stone! First career TD for @_PrestonStone!#PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/vyH3SIKwbn
— SMU FootbaIl (@SMUFB) September 11, 2022
In SMU's 45-16 win over Lamar, the Mustangs held a 24-10 halftime lead and poured it on in the second half. Velton Gardner led the way with 100 yards rushing on 11 attempts, while T.J. McDaniel added 96 yards and two TDs. Rashee Rice led the Mustangs with 132 yards receiving and nine catches. Rice is the leading returning receiver with 64 catches for 670 yards and nine TDs last season.
The defense will be tested in this one. They struggled against the pass last season, allowing 278.1 yards per game. There's a new scheme (4-2-5) and defensive coordinator in Scott Symons.