The SMU football team (4-1, 2-0) has just about everything going for it right now: they’re rested, they’re riding a huge wave of momentum and they’re playing at home. All of these advantages should tip the game in SMU’s favor when they play host to the University of Central Florida (3-2, 1-0) on Saturday in a rematch of last year’s Conference USA Championship.
The Mustangs, winners of four straight games – including a 40-33 OT victory over then-No. 20 TCU last weekend – are currently second in C-USA West behind undefeated Houston. The Knights are in first place in the East and will be looking to build off their win last week against Marshall.
The Mustangs and the Knights are two sides of the same football coin. The Mustangs are the unstoppable force on offense; the Knights are the immovable object on defense. Both are undefeated in conference play and both are expected to vie for the Conference USA crown. Last season, the two teams met with the C-USA Championship on the line, and UCF came out the victor, 17-7. This year's time will try and avenge that loss.
SMU’s potent Run and Shoot offense has been firing on all cylinders during the Mustangs’ four-game win streak. Led by quarterback J.J. McDermott, the Mustangs are the 12th best passing offense in college football with an average of 326.8 yards a game. Running back Zach Line, averaging 116.6 yards per game, is the No. 12 rusher in the nation with 583 yards and 11 touchdowns.
It is not an understatement to claim that Central Florida’s defense has carried the team so far this season. The Knights have the No. 2 defense in the nation and are the best in shutting down the passing game. So far this season, no team has scored a passing touchdown on UCF. In fact, teams are averaging just 100.2 yards through the air and 77.4 on the ground against this stingy defense.
To get the fans and football team pumped up, as well as turning Ford Stadium into an intense environment for UCF, SMU is calling for a RED OUT on Saturday. Show your support for the team!
Photo courtesy of Rob Graham