{"id":351631,"date":"2025-09-08T13:05:11","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T13:05:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/351631\/"},"modified":"2025-09-08T13:05:11","modified_gmt":"2025-09-08T13:05:11","slug":"a-confidence-builder-not-a-trap-game","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/351631\/","title":{"rendered":"A confidence-builder, not a trap game"},"content":{"rendered":"

SMU<\/a> hits the road for the first time this season to face Missouri State this week, the first half of a new home-and-home series.<\/p>\n

SMU will travel to Springfield this weekend before Missouri State comes to Ford Stadium for a non-conference game in 2026.<\/p>\n

After falling to Baylor in double overtime<\/a> at home last weekend, SMU is in need of a win before the toughest part of its schedule arrives.<\/p>\n

Here are three keys for the Mustangs in facing Missouri State this weekend:<\/p>\n

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Build confidence, avoid trap<\/p>\n

SMU and Missouri State are coming off wildly different finishes, as the Mustangs were upset by Baylor after blowing a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter and Missouri State recorded its first win as an FBS team over Marshall on a late go-ahead score. <\/p>\n

While Missouri State may be riding the high, SMU needs a confidence-building win after two early-season performances that didn\u2019t go quite how it wanted.<\/p>\n

SMU wasn\u2019t its best against East Texas A&M and showed overall sloppiness. Against Baylor, SMU looked solid all around through three quarters but couldn\u2019t finish<\/a>. Some key special teams and defensive mistakes cost them.<\/p>\n

The Mustangs have a big rivalry game against TCU on the road next week \u2014 the conclusion of the Iron Skillet Rivalry \u2014 so they could use the morale boost while also not looking too far ahead.<\/p>\n

Sort through secondary questions<\/p>\n

SMU\u2019s secondary has struggled at times in each of its first two games and was torn apart by Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Robertson passed for 440 yards and four touchdowns with two of his receivers recording over 145 yards receiving apiece. <\/p>\n

While the Mustangs have a veteran group with safeties Ahmaad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia and cornerbacks Deuce Harmon and Jaelyn Davis-Robinson, there may be opportunities this week for some of the younger players to show they deserve a spot in the lineup.<\/p>\n

It may be time for true freshmen Zadian Gentry, Javion Holiday, Tyren Polley and Sael Reyes to be in the mix.<\/p>\n

SMU will face some elite passing games later on this season, and TCU\u2019s Josh Hoover leads a threatening one, so the Mustangs need to sort out those issues sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

Get other key positions going<\/p>\n

Saturday\u2019s game is a good opportunity for two of SMU\u2019s key position groups which have been quiet to get going.<\/p>\n

On defense, SMU has almost an entirely new defensive line, and that group struggled against Baylor, not recording any pressures or sacks. Robertson had too much time, and it put the secondary in some difficult spots.<\/p>\n

Missouri State has given up 11 sacks through two games, so this weekend could be a good opportunity for transfers like Terry Webb, Jeffrey M\u2019ba, Woo Spencer and others to have breakthrough games.<\/p>\n

On offense, SMU was particularly excited about its tight end room with RJ Maryland and Matt Hibner both returning. But the two tight ends have combined for just eight catches for 73 yards and no scores so far. Hibner nearly scored last weekend, but Kevin Jennings\u2019 pass intended for him was intercepted in the end zone.<\/p>\n

The Mustangs need the two of them to become bigger factors moving forward.<\/p>\n

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

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