LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Louisville will get its first look at the new (and perhaps) improved portion of the Atlantic Coast Conference Saturday when the Cards play host to SMU.
After competing in the American Athletic Conference the previous 11 seasons, SMU joined Stanford and California as new members of the ACC this season. They won their ACC debut against Florida State last Saturday.
The Mustangs are a trendy longshot pick to make the ACC title game because Louisville is the only ranked opponent remaining on their schedule. SMU will not play Clemson or Miami (Florida) this season.
Although Louisville remains a touchdown favorite in Las Vegas, Jeff Sagarin’s computer formula puts the margin at 3.76 points. SMU boosters have pumped considerable NIL resources into coach Rhett Lashlee’s program.
The Time: Saturday, Noon, L&N Cardinal Stadium.
How to Watch/Listen: TV — ESPN with Bob Wischusen on play by play; Louis Riddick analyst and Kris Budden on the sidelines; RADIO — Louisville Sports Properties, 93.9 The Ville with Paul Rogers on play by play; Craig Swabek analyst and Jody Demling the sidelines reporter.
The Line: Point spread Louisville favored by 7 points; Over/under total points scored is 56.
The Last Time: The teams have not played since 1984 when the Mustangs, coached by Bobby Collins, toppled the Cardinals, coached by Bob Weber, 41-7, in front of 26,589 in old Cardinal Stadium at The Fairgrounds.
The Series: SMU also beat U of L, 24-6, in 1983, to win the only two meetings between the programs. SMU is a first-year member of the Atlantic Coach Conference, even though the school is located 1,026 miles from the ACC office in Charlotte, N.C.
The Records: The Mustangs have wins over Nevada, Houston Christian, TCU and Florida State with a road loss to BYU by three points. The Cards started the season defeating Austin Peay, Jacksonville State and Georgia Tech before losing at Notre Dame by a touchdown last week.
Player to Watch SMU: Quarterback Kevin Jennings, who wears No. 9, is a dual threat who has been more dangerous passing the ball. In the Mustangs’ last two games Jennings has thrown five touchdown passes without an interception. Jennings has averaged 9 carries over SMU’s last three games but scored just once while averaging 30 yards per game.
Player to Watch Louisville: Tyler Shough is the guy that Lashlee and his defense fear. Shough has the third-best QB rating in the ACC, averaging nearly 279 yards passing with 11 touchdowns against a single interception.
Sideline Storylines:
- SMU’s defense is tied for first in the nation in forcing turnovers with 14.
- SMU halfback Brashard Smith ranks in the Top 10 in the nation in touchdowns (7), all-purpose yards (151.2) and yards per carry (7.27).
- SMU kicker Collin Rogers ranks second in the nation with 11 field goals. He is 4 of 6 on kicks of 50 yards or more.
- The Mustangs have won 13 of their last 15 games, losing to Boston College last season and BYU this season.
- U of L kicker Brock Travelstead is 4 for 7 on field goals this season, nailing a school record 56 yarder at Notre Dame.
- The Cards are 10-1 in L&N Cardinal Stadium during the Jeff Brohm Era, losing to Kentucky in the final game of the 2023 season.
- Louisville is one of six teams to rank in the Top 20 nationally in total offense as well as total defense, a group that also includes Miami, Ohio State, Texas, Indiana and Penn State.
- U of L quarterback Tyler Shough has thrown at least two touchdown passes in every game. The last U of L quarterback to do that was Lamar Jackson in the final four games of the 2017 season.
The Quote: Lashlee was asked about U of L quarterback Tyler Shough and the Cards’ offense:
“He’s playing with a lot of confidence—11 touchdowns to 1 interception. He’s got great weapons, including Ja’Corey Brooks, who we recruited when I was at Miami. He went to Alabama and then transferred to Louisville, and he’s a super talented guy. They’ve got a couple of guys playing at a high level, and Coach (Jeff) Brohm is known for developing quarterbacks.”
The Pick: Louisville 31, SMU 27.
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All rights reserved.
