SMU football is coming off one of it’s best seasons since the early-1980s, so can the Mustangs build off that success and win the AAC this year?
From 2010 to 2018, the SMU Mustangs went 47-66 and totaled five losing seasons in those nine years. However, SMU capped off the decade with their best season since the “Pony Express” days in the early-1980s.
SMU started the season 8-0, before finishing 2-3 to close out the season, including a bowl loss to FAU. But despite the dismal finish, the Mustangs have a lot to build on and plenty of momentum heading into the 2020 season.
A big reason for the jump is that of transfer-quarterback, Shane Buechele. He had seen some early access at Texas, but instead of sitting behind Sam Ehlinger for the rest of his college career, made the transfer to SMU, which paid off for both parties involved.
SMU opens up the season with a road game versus the Texas State Bobcats, a team still looking to establish itself on the FBS level of college football.
This game should be no issue for the SMU Mustangs but need to use this game to shack off the rust from this offseason. The Bobcats do not pose much of a threat but with how 2020 has been, anything is possible at this point.
Here is everything you need to know about Saturday’s game between the SMU Mustangs and the Texas State Bobcats:
Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: San Marcos, Texas
Venue: Bobcat Stadium
TV: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Keys to Victory
For SMU, it’s simple, play well enough that Buechele can sit out most of the second half. He should be the biggest reason the Mustangs jump out to a substantial lead against the Bobcats but with your program climbing, and having a legitimate shot at being one of the best Group of Five teams in 2020, it’s best to get him out of the game as early as possible for the rest of the season is much more important.
On defense, the Mustangs have a “familiar faces and in new places” type of feel, with several starters coming from the transfer portal. They’ve practiced and learned the playbook, but now it is time to see what they know and get all the mistakes out of the way now.
For Texas State, they will need to contain Buechele and force him to make mistakes. The Bobcats offense is average and will need help from their defense to keep SMU out of the endzone if they want to win this one. The Bobcats will not win a shootout, so look for their defense to be a little more aggressive in the passing game to try and get an interception or two.
With the offensive needing a spark, the Bobcats could reach into their bag of trick plays and try to gain some big yards and score some points by catching the Mustangs off guard.
Betting Odds
Odds courtesy of The Action Network
Point Spread: SMU -20.5
Over/under: 66.5
Prediction
Honestly, this game is not going to be close. Buechele and the Mustangs offense is going to be too much for the Bobcats defense to handle. And while the Texas State defense is having a rough day, their offense is not having any luck themselves, having a hard enough time crossing midfield in the first half, let alone putting points on the board. SMU’s season starts off the best way it can.
Final Score: SMU 52, Texas State 17