No. 17 SMU faces its first real test of the season when former Southwest Conference rival Baylor comes to Ford Stadium Saturday.
The two programs shared a conference from 1918-96 but haven’t gone head-to-head since 2016.
Here’s what to know about this week’s matchup.
Baylor vs. SMU
Sports Roundup
When: 11 a.m. Saturday at Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas.
Records: SMU (1-0); Baylor (0-1)
Last meeting: Baylor beat SMU 40-13 on Sept. 10, 2016 in Waco.
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What’s at stake?
An old rivalry will be renewed when these two former conference rivals square off at Ford Stadium Saturday.
While Saturday’s non-conference meeting may not impact any conference standings, it does hold bragging rights for whichever team on I-35 comes away victorious.
SMU hasn’t beaten Baylor since 1986, long before the Southwest Conference disbanded. Baylor, after a humbling loss to Auburn in Week 1, is looking to avoid an 0-2 start and earn a ranked win that could build some significant momentum.
Expect the Baylor fans to travel well for the short, 100-mile trip up north, so both teams will want to secure a win in front of their fans.
When SMU has the ball
SMU anticipates quarterback Kevin Jennings and the run game will have to be the difference against Baylor.
It was for Auburn in their 38-24 win in Waco last week. Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Six of his carries went for at least 10 yards.
Jennings is a similar dual threat but didn’t run much in SMU’s season opener against East Texas A&M. While he rushed for a touchdown, he ran just six times for 12 yards.
With SMU’s top wide receiver Jordan Hudson and one of Baylor’s top defensive players Jackie Marshall both possibly out Saturday, Jennings’ ability to run — and some support from SMU’s four running backs — should be the focus.
When Baylor has the ball
Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson poses quite the threat for SMU as well. He passed for 419 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Auburn.
Wide receiver Kole Wilson and tight end Michael Trigg combined for 15 catches for 233 yards and a score in the Auburn game.
SMU’s defense will have its hands full. While the Mustangs came away with two pick sixes in the season opener — including one by Ahmaad Moses that went for 95 yards — they could be without captain and top linebacker Alex Kilgore, who suffered a lower-body injury last week.
SMU’s defense will also need to be prepared to make key stops on fourth down, as Baylor attempted six fourth-down tries last week, converting half of them. SMU was unable to stop any of East Texas A&M’s three fourth-down tries in Week 1.
Prediction
Both teams still have some kinks to work out early in the season, so don’t expect either to look perfect.
Both quarterbacks will have a chance to show what they’re best at, but Jennings’ versatility should be an advantage for SMU that Baylor will struggle to stop.
Like most rivalry games, Baylor will put up quite the fight, but SMU will come away with a win thanks to home-field advantage.
Score: SMU 27, Baylor 20
On Twitter/X: @Lassimak
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