The No. 17 SMU Mustangs host the Baylor Bears Saturday morning at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Kickoff is set for 11:00 a.m.
This marks the first meeting between the programs since 2016. The rivalry dates back over 125 years.
SMU enters the ACC while Baylor remains in the Big 12. The matchup carries regional pride and national significance for both Power Five programs.
SMU’s Strong Opening
The Mustangs dominated East Texas A&M 42-13 in their season opener. Quarterback Kevin Jennings threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns.
Chris Johnson Jr. contributed with receiving yards and added a 22-yard rushing touchdown. SMU’s defense forced three turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns.
Penalties and turnovers remain areas of concern heading into Saturday’s game.
Baylor’s Defensive Struggles
The Bears lost their opener to Auburn 38-24. Quarterback Jack Robertson threw for 419 yards and three touchdowns but couldn’t overcome defensive issues.
Baylor gave up 307 rushing yards and 415 total yards to the Tigers.
SMU plans to exploit these defensive weaknesses with its balanced offensive attack.
Keys for SMU Victory
Establish Early Control: The Mustangs need to score first and energize the home crowd. An early lead forces Baylor to play catch-up.
Dominate the Trenches: SMU’s defensive front must disrupt Baylor’s running game. The offensive line needs to protect Jennings and create running lanes.
Ball Security: Minimizing turnovers and penalties allows SMU to sustain drives and keep Baylor’s offense off the field.
Program Statement Game
This game represents more than a Texas rivalry for SMU. It’s an opportunity to showcase the program’s growth in the ACC era.
The Mustangs can prove they compete with Power Five talent consistently.
With a balanced offense, opportunistic defense, and home crowd support, SMU has the pieces in place. Saturday’s result could send a message that the Mustangs are a force in college football.
