The Southern Methodist University Mustangs (5-4, 3-2 AAC) and their powerful passing offense travel to face the University of South Florida Bulls (1-8, 0-5 AAC), one of the nation’s softest aerial defenses, at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday. The Mustangs are 17.5-point favorites, and the total is 72.
SMU is coming off a convincing 77-63 win over No. 25 Houston at Gerald J. Ford Stadium last Saturday. Tanner Mordecai was 28 of 37 for 379 yards and nine touchdowns. Tyler Lavine ran 25 times for 146 yards and a touchdown. Dylan Goffney caught three passes for 100 yards and a touchdown.
South Florida dropped a seventh straight game last Saturday, falling 54-28 to Temple at Lincoln Financial Field. Katravis Marsh threw for 190 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. Brian Battie carried 19 times for 129 yards. Xavier Weaver scored twice. He hauled in six receptions for 119 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Mustangs won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 41-17 victory in October. Tanner Mordecai threw four touchdowns for SMU, as Danny Gray scored twice.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Mustangs are averaging 40.2 points per game for the season, 10th in FBS, and they are facing a Bulls defense that has surrendered 39.9 PPG (129th). Meanwhile, South Florida has scored 25.8 points a game this season, 84th in the nation, and SMU is allowing 33.7 PPG (119th).
The Mustangs rank as one of the country’s top teams in passing yards per game (331.0, 5th), while they are 69th in rushing yards (148.0). Look for them to take advantage through the air, as the Bulls are 124th in the nation in passing yards allowed per game (288.9). Against the run, South Florida is 122nd (214.2).
South Florida is 108th in the country in passing yards per game (192.6) and 45th in rushing (182.1). SMU’s defense has been most beatable on the ground, as the Mustangs are 118th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (199.7). Against the pass, the Mustangs are 98th (253.8).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through eight games, Tanner Mordecai has thrown for 25 touchdowns (7 INT) and 312.5 yards per game to lead SMU in passing. In three away games this season, he has seven TDs (3 INT) and an average of 365.3 yards passing.
Velton Gardner leads the team in rushing with an average of 57.5 yards a game over six games. He has one touchdown on the ground and one through the air. Rashee Rice is the Mustangs’ leading receiver with 118.7 yards a game and eight TDs.
Gerry Bohanon has six passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 152.9 yards per game through seven games to lead South Florida. In four home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (2 INT) and an average of 188.2 yards.
Brian Battie has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 80.9 yards a game through nine games. He has six touchdowns. Xavier Weaver has been the primary target in the Bulls’ aerial attack. He has five touchdowns and an 82.2 yard per game average through eight appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
SMU -17.5 (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
