Memphis vs. SMU Week 5 Preview

Quick-Hitters

• The 3-0 SMU Mustangs have totaled 146 points over their first three contests.

• The Memphis Tigers beat Arkansas State 37-24 in their opener. It has been nearly a month since they last played.

• Memphis (-135) is favored by 2.5 points over SMU (+115) with the over/under set at 74.5 total points. CLICK HERE FOR LIVE GAME ODDS!

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Undefeated, Not Dominant

Despite having their showdown with rival TCU postponed, the Mustangs have quietly gotten off to a 3-0 start. Of course, those wins have come against Texas State, North Texas, and Stephen F. Austin. Nevertheless, SMU has plenty of momentum and confidence heading into their conference-opener.

Offensively, SMU is brimming with confidence. Senior quarterback Shane Buechele has lived up to his billing as the best quarterback in the country outside the power conferences. The former Texas transfer is averaging over nine yards per pass attempt while throwing for seven touchdowns over three games. The Mustangs also have a talented backfield duo in Ulysses Bentley and T.J. McDaniel. Bentley, in particular, has found the end zone seven times and is averaging 10.0 yards per carry early in the season.

Defensively, it’s been a different story for SMU. Granted, the Mustangs allowed just seven points against Stephen F. Austin last week, but Texas State and North Texas were able to move the ball with consistency against the SMU defense. For the most part, the Mustangs have avoided giving up the big play, but opposing offenses have been able to put together long drives against them.

A Lengthy Break

As for Memphis, the Tigers will be taking the field for the first time in nearly a month. On September 5th, Memphis beat Arkansas State 37-24 to open their season on a positive note. However, the school was forced to suspend football activities and postpone two games due to a COVID-19 breakout.

The silver lining is that the Memphis offense looked sharp in the opener against Arkansas State. Like Buechele, Memphis quarterback Brady White is one of the best passers in the country outside of the power conferences. He tossed four touchdown passes against Arkansas State. The Tigers also got a 105-yard rushing effort from Rodrigues Clark. With Kenneth Gainwell sitting out the season, the running back position became a question mark for the Tigers, but Clark answered the call in the team’s first game.

Defense isn’t always a strength of the Tigers. They managed to force three turnovers against Arkansas State, but they also allowed over 400 yards despite the defense being on the field for just 25 minutes. After giving up a couple of long touchdown drives early in the game against Arkansas State, the Memphis defense was able to make adjustments and keep the Red Wolves under wraps. There are still lingering questions, especially in the secondary.

High Scorer

Get ready for some points to be scored in this game. As mentioned, these are two of the nation’s best quarterbacks outside of the power conferences, but SMU and Memphis have some questions on the defensive end. If either side can get a couple of stops early or force a couple of turnovers, they will put themselves in a good position to get a win.