College Football: Group of Five Week 5 power rankings
By Zach Bigalke
SMU fell in the Battle for the Iron Skillet against a TCU team that is now in the top 10 of the AP Top 25. Aside from that defeat, though, the Mustangs have won every other game so far this year. The offense has scored at least 36 points in every outing at this point, after SMU took down Arkansas State 44-21 at home this past weekend.
Ben Hicks had trouble completing passes, going just 16-of-32 on the day in Dallas. But he threw for 266 yards and two touchdowns without giving up a turnover. The Mustangs also got a big day from running backs Xavier Jones and Ke’Mon Freeman. Jones led the team with 146 rushing yards on 19 carries, while Freeman notched two touchdowns and 92 yards on the ground. The defense gave up over 400 yards to Arkansas State, but the offense far outpaced the Red Wolves.
SMU now turns its attention to American Athletic Conference play with a home game against UConn this weekend. The Mustangs should win handily against the Huskies, who currently sit in the cellar of the AAC East. But SMU could be in some danger if they get caught looking ahead to the following week’s showdown at Houston.