{"id":333151,"date":"2025-09-01T13:33:10","date_gmt":"2025-09-01T13:33:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/333151\/"},"modified":"2025-09-01T13:33:10","modified_gmt":"2025-09-01T13:33:10","slug":"3-keys-for-smu-against-baylor-quarterback-battle-defensive-stops","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/333151\/","title":{"rendered":"3 keys for SMU against Baylor: Quarterback battle, defensive stops"},"content":{"rendered":"

SMU<\/a> faces its first real test of the 2025 season in Week 2 when former Southwest Conference rival Baylor comes to town.<\/p>\n

The 16th-ranked Mustangs cruised to a 42-13 victory over East Texas A&M Saturday<\/a>, while Baylor fell 38-24 to Auburn<\/a> in its Week 1 matchup Friday.<\/p>\n

The two teams have faced off over 80 times in their history, but haven\u2019t played since 2016. SMU hasn\u2019t beaten Baylor since 1986.<\/p>\n

Here are three keys for the Mustangs when the Bears come to town:<\/p>\n

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Limiting Sawyer Robertson<\/p>\n

Expectations were high for the senior quarterback from Lubbock, who threw for 3,071 yards and 28 touchdowns as the starter last year.<\/p>\n

Despite the Week 1 loss and some inconsistencies, Robertson still finished with 419 yards passing and three touchdowns against Auburn on 27-of-48 passing.<\/p>\n

SMU\u2019s secondary will have its hands full, and while the Mustangs came away with two pick-sixes in their season opener, their Week 2 matchup won\u2019t be as easy.<\/p>\n

They\u2019ll also have to watch out for wide receiver Kole Wilson and tight end Michael Trigg, who combined for 15 catches, 233 yards and a touchdown against Auburn.<\/p>\n

Capitalizing on the QB draw<\/p>\n

Baylor\u2019s defense struggled to limit Denton Guyer product Jackson Arnold on the ground<\/a>. <\/p>\n

While Arnold threw for just 108 yards on 11 completions, he rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Six of his rushes went for at least 10 yards.<\/p>\n

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings<\/a> has a similar dual-threat nature, and the Mustangs should try to capitalize. Jennings only rushed six times for 12 yards and a touchdown against East Texas A&M. He and his coaches have said while he is known for his ability to make plays with his feet, he is trying to work on delivering from the pocket and being smarter with the ball.<\/p>\n

Still, his running abilities could come in handy this week.<\/p>\n

Third- and fourth-down defense<\/p>\n

Baylor\u2019s offense was aggressive on fourth down last week, going 3-for-6 on attempts. The Bears did score two touchdowns on fourth down, one from Alabama transfer Kobe Prentice and the other from true freshman running back Caiden Knighten.<\/p>\n

However, their failed attempts led to 10 Auburn points.<\/p>\n

SMU held East Texas A&M to just 6-of-20 on third down but was unable to make a fourth-down stop on three tries.<\/p>\n

The Mustang defense had a solid first outing, especially considering only one player who started all 14 games last year returned, but it\u2019ll need to work harder to get off the field against a more skilled Baylor opponent.<\/p>\n

On Twitter\/X: @Lassimak<\/a><\/p>\n

Best in Texas (9\/1): Longhorns hang on at No. 1; Texas Tech, Texas A&M closely follow<\/a>After adversity-filled 2024, SMU\u2019s Romello Brinson shows he\u2019s poised for a breakthrough<\/a><\/p>\n

Find more SMU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here<\/a>.<\/p>\n