#19 SMU (6-1, 4-1) is vying for an ACC title, but it can’t afford any slip-ups down the stretch. Saturday’s contest against Syracuse (3-4, 1-4) has trap game potential. The Orange just pulled off a dramatic 31-30 overtime victory vs. North Carolina. Will they continue their winning ways this afternoon, or will the Mustangs pull off their fifth-straight win?
The Mustangs are listed as ten-point favorites over the Orange, with the total set at O/U 58.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction and best bet for Saturday’s SMU vs. Syracuse Week 9 matchup.
SMU vs. Syracuse prediction, preview
#1 Miami gets most of the ACC attention, and for good reason. However, this Mustangs offense is nothing short of terrifying for opposing defensive coordinators. Kevin Jennings is an experienced passer, now in his fifth year with the program. The senior has thrown for 2,062 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions over seven games this season. Three different SMU wideouts have already racked up 300+ receiving yards, led by senior Yamir Knight. On the ground, Kendrick Raphael has churned out 641 rushing yards and nine total touchdowns. As a unit, this offense is averaging the conference’s third-most yards per game (470.3).
This will be quite the challenge for a subpar, but improving, Orange defense. Among their fellow conference foes, the team is tenth in yards allowed (336.3) and 11th in points allowed (26.3) per game. Where this group has shown some signs of life is in the secondary. Opposing quarterbacks are averaging a middling 6.6 yards per pass attempt. However, Syracuse has gotten gashed for an average of 4.15 yards per rush attempt. That’s sixth-worst among all ACC squads. SU has forced eight turnovers over its first seven games, so there haven’t been that many big plays on that side of the ball.
As for ‘Cuse’s offense, it’s been an up and down 2026 campaign. Injuries under center have forced head coach Fran Brown to play three different quarterbacks this season. Original starter Steve Angeli is back, looking to earn his third win this season. Through four games, the senior has notched 987 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. Angeli was terrific last week vs. UNC, recording 256 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. The run game has been good but not great, leaning on the duo of Tylik Hill and Ahmad Miller. Syracuse is averaging 164.4 rushing yards per game, sixth-best in the ACC. Keep an eye out for Umari Hatcher, one of college football’s most prolific wide receivers. He’s accounted for 926 yards from scrimmage and eight touchdowns so far.
The Mustangs might be a score-first team, but they aren’t pushovers on defense. Rhett Lashlee’s crew has surrendered just 21.1 points per game, 48th among 138 FBS schools. Southern Methodist has given up 24 points or fewer in all but one game this season, September 19th vs. Louisville. That includes allowing a minuscule 6.0 yards per pass attempt, tied with Clemson for best in the ACC. SMU has also managed to rack up 21.0 sacks, second in the conference behind Virginia Tech. That doesn’t bode well for Angeli’s chances heading into this crucial conference matchup.
Best Bet: SMU -9.5 (-122)
Syracuse has shown some positive signs in recent weeks, and last Saturday’s win was a major step forward. With that being said, a date with the high-octane Mustangs could prove to be just too much. Angeli is far from the most consistent passer, and he could have difficulty picking apart an underrated secondary. On the other side, Jennings has a litany of weapons at his disposal. With weather not a factor inside the JMA Wireless Dome, SMU’s passing game should be fully operational this afternoon.
