SMU Closing in on ACC Crown, Virginia Hope to Spoil Undefeated Run
SMU Mustangs Closing In on ACC Championship, Virginia Cavaliers Looking to Spoil Their Undefeated Season
The No. 13 CFP-ranked SMU Mustangs are on the verge of clinching an undefeated ACC regular season as they head to Virginia for a pivotal matchup on Saturday. With an impressive 9-1 record and 6-0 in conference play, the Mustangs are positioned to secure a spot in the ACC Championship game—but a determined Virginia team could have other plans. As they enter this crucial game with a 5-5 overall record, the Cavaliers are fighting for bowl eligibility and looking to disrupt SMU’s perfect conference season. Kickoff is set for noon EST at Scott Stadium.
SMU Mustangs: Perfect ACC Season Within Reach
The Mustangs’ inaugural season in the ACC has been nothing short of spectacular, as they’ve maintained an undefeated conference record with just two regular-season games remaining. Last Saturday, they took down Boston College 38-28, showcasing their offensive firepower and defensive resilience. SMU’s stellar performance was led by quarterback Kevin Jennings, who threw for 298 yards and three touchdowns, completing 24 of 35 passes.
Brashard Smith, the Mustangs’ dynamic running back, added a pivotal 120 rushing yards and a touchdown, marking a milestone as the 12th SMU player to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. In total, SMU amassed 438 yards of offense against the Eagles. On defense, Kobe Wilson was the standout, tallying 16 tackles, including a sack, while Isaiah Nwokobia intercepted a pass in the end zone to prevent a Boston College touchdown.
As the Mustangs enter their game against Virginia, they boast the 32nd-ranked total offense and the 9th-ranked scoring offense in the country. With a well-balanced attack, SMU ranks 36th in passing and 61st in rushing. While the Mustangs’ red zone offense (ranked 92nd) is a concern, their ability to protect the quarterback is a bright spot—they rank 21st in the nation in sacks allowed.
Defensively, SMU has shown improvement, ranking 58th in total defense and 54th in scoring defense. Their run defense remains elite, holding opponents to just 9th in the nation in rushing yards allowed. However, their pass defense (ranked 114th) is a glaring weakness, and their pass rush has struggled, as evidenced by their 114th ranking in sacks per game. With a 57th-ranked turnover margin and 121st in penalties, the Mustangs will need to clean up their miscues as they approach the postseason.
Virginia Cavaliers: Fighting to Play Spoiler
Despite their 5-5 record, the Virginia Cavaliers remain in contention for bowl eligibility. However, their path to a bowl bid took a hit after a 35-14 loss to Notre Dame last week. The Cavaliers committed five turnovers in the game, including three interceptions from starting quarterback Anthony Colandrea. They trailed 28-0 at halftime and could never fully recover.
Virginia did see some positives, particularly from Tony Muskett, who replaced Colandrea in the second half. Muskett sparked a slight comeback, leading the Cavaliers to their only two touchdowns of the game. The junior signal-caller finished with 9-of-14 passing for 103 yards, including two rushing touchdowns. Malachi Fields was the top receiver, hauling in four catches for 81 yards. Virginia finished with 300 total yards of offense but couldn’t overcome their turnover woes.
On defense, Jonas Sanker had a standout game, setting a career-high with 13 tackles, including two tackles for loss. He also recovered a fumble. Freshman cornerback Trey McDonald added an interception, his first career pick, but the Cavaliers struggled to stop Notre Dame’s offense, allowing 448 total yards.
Heading into Saturday’s contest against SMU, Virginia is ranked 70th in total offense and 89th in scoring offense. The Cavaliers have struggled to establish a consistent rushing attack, ranking 94th in the nation in rushing yards per game. While their passing attack is somewhat more efficient (47th in the country), Virginia has struggled to find balance and scoring consistency. In the red zone, they rank 87th in the nation, which could be a critical disadvantage against SMU’s high-powered offense.
Defensively, the Cavaliers have struggled to contain both the run and pass. Virginia ranks 102nd in total defense and 85th in scoring defense. Their run defense (62nd) has been better than their pass defense (123rd), which has been one of the worst in the nation. Virginia’s struggles in the trenches are compounded by their 123rd-ranked pass rush and 98th-ranked turnover margin.
Conclusion
With everything on the line for both teams, SMU heads to Virginia with their undefeated ACC record and potential ACC Championship berth on the line. The Mustangs’ potent offense, led by Kevin Jennings and Brashard Smith, will be tested by a Virginia defense that has struggled all season but has playmakers like Jonas Sanker who can make an impact.
For the Cavaliers, this game represents their best opportunity to secure bowl eligibility while also playing spoiler to a team with bigger aspirations. They will need to improve on their turnovers and defensive lapses to have a shot at disrupting SMU’s perfect season.
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