SMU Mustangs vs. Stanford Cardinal: College Football Preview

The Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs, ranked number 23 with a 5-1 record and 2-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), are set to face the Stanford Cardinal, who stand at 2-4 overall and 1-2 in conference play, this Saturday. The game will take place at Stanford Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.

Coming off a significant victory, SMU overcame their underdog status to defeat Louisville with a 34-27 scoreline. This win was propelled by quarterback Kevin Jennings, who reached new personal bests with 281 passing yards and 113 rushing yards, alongside a rushing touchdown. Safety Isaiah Nwokobia also contributed by clinching the game with a crucial interception in the closing minutes.

Meanwhile, Stanford is struggling after suffering their third consecutive loss, a decisive 49-7 defeat to the 11th-ranked Notre Dame. These recent setbacks highlight the tough schedule the Cardinal have faced, especially against higher-ranked teams. Their offensive efforts have stumbled, yielding only 137 total yards in that game and accumulating just 28 points across their last three matches. The Notre Dame defense significantly hampered Stanford’s offensive line, recording eight tackles for loss and four sacks.

Sports analysts have expressed a strong preference for SMU, with the team holding a seven-game winning streak in away matches and currently finding a strong offensive rhythm. They have managed to cover the spread in their past three games. Stanford, in contrast, has faced difficulties, particularly when playing as a double-digit underdog where they have a 4-9 record against the spread in their last 13 games.

The betting odds favor SMU, with analysts recommending a bet on SMU covering a 16.5-point spread. Additionally, SMU’s offense, spearheaded by Kevin Jennings, has shown proficiency by achieving over 40 points per game across the last three outings. Meanwhile, Stanford struggles defensively, as evidenced by their concession of 49 points to Notre Dame. This matchup thus suggests a high-scoring game, despite five of Stanford’s last six conference games going under.

Bets are also recommended on the overall score exceeding 53.5 points, considering SMU’s offensive capabilities and Stanford’s defensive vulnerabilities. The Mustangs’ performance, particularly in October matches against non-AP-ranked teams, further cements their favored status heading into this game.