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SMU Football: Will undefeated streak stay alive vs. Memphis?

By Clayton Panzeri

HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Rodney Clemons #23 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs reacts with Patrick Nelson #2 after deflecting a pass intended for Marquez Stevenson #5 of the Houston Cougars (not shown) during the fourth quarter on October 24, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 24: Rodney Clemons #23 of the Southern Methodist Mustangs reacts with Patrick Nelson #2 after deflecting a pass intended for Marquez Stevenson #5 of the Houston Cougars (not shown) during the fourth quarter on October 24, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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SMU football and Memphis play in what has a winner take all feeling on Saturday. Will the Mustangs be able to stay undefeated?

SMU is putting its perfect season on the line on the road against Memphis on Saturday night. With both teams looking to not only get a leg up in the AAC but have a shot at the NY6 bowl game, there is a ton on the line for both teams. Memphis has only dropped one game so far this season to a good Temple squad, we will see if they are up for another challenge at home.

Memphis comes into the game with a new ranking of No. 24 in the polls after beating Tulsa and Tulane. SMU is the highest-rated team in the Group of Five at the moment and has been one of the most impressive Group of Five teams in a surprise 2019 campaign. As Boise State and UCF both faltered this year, it has paved the way for a new G5 king.

We will see two high flying offenses with a lot to prove in Memphis, Tennessee. Both teams averaging over 480 total yards of offense a game and showing no signs of slowing down. the matchup to look for will be SMU running back Xavier Jones against a weaker Memphis defensive line on Saturday.

The quarterbacks on both sides have been incredible as well. Shane Buechele for the SMU Mustangs and Brady White for Memphis have been some of the most impressive quarterbacks in the Group of Five so far. Throwing for over 2,000 yards each and 20 touchdowns, these quarterbacks will look to keep the momentum alive for Saturday’s matchup.

Here’s where to watch this Saturday night, primetime matchup:

Date: Saturday, Nov. 2nd
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Memphis, Tenn.
Venue: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC
Live Stream: WatchESPN

 Keys to Victory

The hint was given above for SMU to feed Xavier Jones all night in Memphis. We should see a heavy dose of the running game for the Mustangs with the Tigers having a secondary that is playing extremely well. Shane Buechele might struggle against this secondary and Jones will have to step up and play well for them to get a win on the road.

Memphis is no doubt going to be fired up for this game. Playing at home against one of the best teams in the G5 with AAC title hopes on the line. The Memphis faithful will be expecting a shoot out for sure. Brady White has been on fire in his last two games and this will be the key for Saturday as well. Running back Kenneth Gainwell has also been impressive rushing for three touchdowns and 149 yards just last week. Gainwell is going up against a tough SMU front seven but will be key for the Tigers to stay on schedule.

Betting Odds

Odds courtesy of The Action Network

Line: SMU -4.5
Over/Under: 65.5

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Prediction

The Memphis crowd is going to play a huge factor in this game. Everyone in Memphis knows exactly what is on the line for the Tigers as they come home to play No. 15 SMU. The Mustangs have so much riding on this game and are playing some of their best football right now. The Mustangs could have trouble early as the have struggled in the first half of some games, but they should be able to squeak this one out. This is going to be one of the toughest games that the Mustangs have left and they need style points to break into the top ten next week.

Final Score: SMU 38, Memphis 31

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