With an important matchup against cross-town rival TCU looming on the horizon, the SMU Mustangs (2-1) will have to be twice as focused to avoid getting tripped up by the University of Memphis (1-2) this Saturday. The Mustangs will be looking to win their third straight game while the Tigers are eager to build off their first win of the season.
SMU and Memphis have only ever played each other three times in football. And surprisingly, Memphis has won all three meetings. The last time the Mustangs played the Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium was in 2007, when the SMU fell to Memphis in triple-overtime, 55-52.
However, SMU will enter this game as the heavy favorite to win. The Mustangs are predicted to win by three touchdowns and with SMU’s prolific offense and the Tigers’ porous defense, it isn’t hard to imagine SMU racking up the points.
The Mustangs are No. 19 in the nation in passing offense with J.J. McDermott at the helm of head coach June Jones’ Run ‘N’ Shoot offense. Meanwhile, Memphis’ passing defense is No. 114 out of 120 in the nation. The Tigers are still adapting to changes in their defensive scheme after defensive coordinator Jay Hopson resigned last week.
The game kicks off early on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Fans that aren’t making the trip to Tennessee can watch the game on FSN.
Photo courtesy of Rob Graham