BC vs SMU: Mustangs Offense/Defense Preview
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SMU enters Week 5 against Boston College at 3-1 overall, 1-1 in-conference, and ranked #21. Rhett Lashlee’s team had a close win to start over Florida State, routed UC Davis, lost in a shootout at Louisville, and most recently rebounded from a sloppy start to beat Missouri State 34-24. The Mustangs are built around one of the nation’s most productive passing attacks, but have shown some vulnerability through penalties, turnovers, and uneven defensive performances. Since BC’s in the 2023 Fenway Bowl, SMU has won both of the conference matchups.
Offense
This is a wildly productive offense, second in the country in total offense (550.8 ypg) and top of the table in terms of passing offense (392.5 ypg). They’re averaging 37 points per game still led by quarterback Kevin Jennings. The veteran signal caller has thrown for nearly 1500 yards, 12 touchdowns, and completing 77% of his passes. He hasn’t done too much damage on the ground, adding one score, but he’s certainly capable. He’s still turning the ball over plenty though, with five interceptions and some costly fumbles including one out of the end zone against Louisville.
This offense will be very familiar for the Eagles, but they haven’t shown any ability to slow them down in two tries. They’ll spread it among their receiving corps. Yamir Knight leads the way with 27 catches for 345 yards and two scores. He’s going to work underneath and run after the catch. Jalen Cooper and ECU transfer Yannick Smith complement with size and verticality. Knight and Smith both are questionable this week and Smith didn’t play last week. In the red zone, the tight ends Pittman and Ohrstrom have six combined touchdowns.
The rushing game isn’t as potent, ranking 75th nationally, but they have a veteran interior and a capable running back in Kendrick Raphael, who is averaging six yards a carry, is dangerous out of the backfield, and has five touchdowns to his name. Raphael had 119 yards and a score against BC last season while at Cal. Their preseason All-ACC tackle did not play last week and is questionable ahead of this week.
Defense
SMU’s defense has not fared as well as its offense, allowing 309 yards and 25 points per game. Against their two ACC opponents, they surrendered 24 and 41 points.
But there are some bright spots. On third down, they’re holding teams to 20%, second nationally. Safeties Tyren Polley and Jimmy Wyrick are two of the team’s top tacklers flying around. Wyrick is tied for the team lead with two sacks as well, while Polley’s three pass breakups similarly lead. They have two interceptions as a team, including one by linebacker Brandon Booker.
Up front, it’s a lot of rotation with no one dominant pass rusher. Nine guys have registered a sack, while veteran linebacker Alex Kilgore is second on the team in tackles. The defense does include a lot of transfers across the board, so they are likely to improve over time.
Bonus: Special Teams
Only because it’s notable enough — the Mustangs kicking is a real point of concern. The team has made fewer than 50% of its field goals thus far even though it was a point of emphasis heading into the year. Between two kickers, they missed three kicks last week alone. That being said, kickers don’t miss against BC, see exhibit last week…
There isn’t really much of a reason to expect this game to not look similar to last season’s 45-13 beatdown. After two sloppy games in a row, I’d expect Lashlee’s team to run it up here.
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