SMU prediction: Reeling from an emotional loss, can the Mustangs overcome UCF? SMU looks to bounce back after losing the Iron Skillet to TCU.

[biggins]

SMU vs. UCF​

When: 6 p.m. on Wednesday at FBC Mortgage Stadium in Orlando, Florida.

Records: SMU (2-2, 0-0 in AAC play) vs. UCF (3-1, 0-0 in AAC play)

Last meeting: SMU defeated UCF 55-28 on Nov. 13, 2021.

What’s at stake?​

SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee said a lot about the matchup with UCF – and even more because of the half-week postponement – but amidst all his answers, he did say this: “You’ve got a really good league that’s wide open.”


There’s merit to that, even if not every team in the American Athletic Conference has played a conference game yet. Houston, the preseason favorite, lost to Tulane this week. Tulane has now notched a couple of impressive wins, including a victory over Kansas State this year. Cincinnati is the only team ranked in the Top 25.

SMU and UCF each have the talent to contend for a conference title game berth, making this conference opener an important one for both teams.

When SMU has the ball​

So far this season, it’s been no secret that SMU wants to get the ball in Rashee Rice’s hands. He led the nation in receiving yards through four weeks with 565. He’s also drawn plenty of defensive flags in the process as well.
SMU, like it did last week against TCU,might have to spread the ball around a little more against UCF. Lashlee said last week that Rice was banged up against TCU, but is still expected to play against UCF. Despite that, Rice still had six receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown.

Rice transfer Jake Bailey showed why there was so much optimism for him coming out of fall camp, catching eight passes for 163 yards and a touchdown. Between Bailey and fellow transfer Moochie Dixon and Beau Corrales, SMU might be looking to take off a load from Rice’s shoulders again this week.
The passing game is still SMU’s best bet for big plays on offense. SMU running backs struggled to find explosive plays for the second-straight week in the loss to TCU. Three of them – starter Tre Siggers, Velton Gardner and Camar Wheaton – combined for 30 carries for 103 yards.

When UCF has the ball​

SMU defensive coordinator Scott Symons even had to laugh a little bit when he came to the realization: he had experience playing against UCF starting quarterback John Rhys Plumlee, only not in the way he’ll see him on Wednesday.
Plumlee had seven receptions for 110 yards against Symons and Liberty last season when Plumlee was a receiver at Ole Miss.
“He torched us,” Symons recalled.

That athleticism has been on display through the first four games. Plumlee leads UCF in rushing with 404 yards on 69 rushing attempts. As a passer, Plumlee has completed 59% of his passes for 827 yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

To keep an explosive UCF offense in check, SMU will have to start with corralling Plumlee.

Prediction​

It’s been an emotional couple weeks for the Mustangs: a tough loss on the road followed by a one-possession loss in the Battle for the Iron Skillet. The Mustangs also had to deal with plans changing multiple times on a trip to the east coast.

SMU wants to start off conference play with a win, and though the Mustangs definitely have the capabilities to accomplish it, it would be understandable if there was another close defeat.

Score: UCF 35, SMU 31

 

[Bubbles]

multiple smu players reportedly plan on sitting out the rest of the season. not a good look.

 

[biggins]

SPORTSSMU MUSTANGS

Sources: Multiple SMU players plan to sit out the rest of season, enter transfer portal​

UNIVERSITY PARK – SMU sophomore wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr. and senior safety Chace Cromartie will sit out the rest of the season with intentions to enter the transfer portal, multiple SMU staff members with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Dallas Morning News.

On3 was first to report the news. Two other players, sophomore safety Isaiah Nwokobia and sophomore wide receiver Jayleen Record, were also mentioned in On3′s report, but multiple SMU staff members told The News that Nwokobia and Record haven’t communicated their intention to do the same.

The timing of the news makes sense. College players are able to redshirt a season if they haven’t played in more than four games. The Mustangs will play their fifth game of the season at UCF on Wednesday.
Daniels, a standout recruit from Duncanville, couldn’t redshirt his first season after exceeding game limits. Nwokobia, the second-highest-rated recruit SMU had in 2021 behind quarterback Preston Stone, and Record also played in over four games as freshmen.
In the transfer portal era, players who have not exceeded four games played and who haven’t used their redshirt could preserve a season and find a new home after the season. The transfer portal window will last 45 days this season starting the first day after the national championship.

Boise State quarterback Hank Bachmeier, a former starter with four years of playing experience, did the same earlier this season when he announced his intention to enter the transfer portal. Bachmeier started the season, but former Lewsiville quarterback Taylen Green has since taken over for the Broncos.


Cromartie has played in every game since he arrived at SMU in 2019, including all four this year. He had 17 starts at safety prior to the start of this season.

Cromartie has never redshirted, though his playing time has diminished this season. Safety transfers Nick Roberts and Chris Adimora have emerged in addition to returning starters Bryan Massey and Brandon Crossley.

Daniels has also played in every game this season. He had two receptions in the season opener against UNT, including a 75-yard touchdown, but hasn’t had a catch since. SMU added multiple transfer wide receivers this offseason.

 

[biggins]

I’m taking UCF -3

SMU to me is a work in progress with new head coach all the transfers he brought in and now retuning players jumping ship.

SMU offense is pass happy because they have no running game and imo the reason is because they just plain to try and get it worked out.

Going with the home team here

 

[carolinakid]

gl Bigs, i think your are right

 

[biggins]

I’m taking UCF -3

SMU to me is a work in progress with new head coach all the transfers he brought in and now retuning players jumping ship.

SMU offense is pass happy because they have no running game and imo the reason is because they just plain to try and get it worked out.

Going with the home team here

I kinda feel the same about Texas and Steve Sarkisian as far as a work in progress granted this is year two. But he has arguably the best running back in the nation but wants to keep his superior I’m a quarterback guru persona. I’m probably going to be on the Sooners Saturday.