The Southern Methodist University Mustangs (2-3, 0-1 AAC), the American Athletic Conference’s strongest passing offense, play host to the United States Naval Academy Midshipmen (2-3, 2-1 AAC), one of the conference’s weakest aerial defenses, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Friday. The Mustangs are 12.5-point favorites, and the total is 57.Navy is coming off an impressive 51-21 win over Tulsa at Jack Stephens Field at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Daba Fofana ran 21 times for 159 yards and three touchdowns. Tai Lavatai caught one pass for 26 yards and a touchdown.SMU dropped a third straight game last Wednesday, falling 41-19 to UCF at FBC Mortgage Stadium. Tanner Mordecai was 28 of 45 for 363 yards and an interception. Velton Gardner carried 12 times for 69 yards and a touchdown. Rashee Rice hauled in 12 receptions for 122 yards.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Mustangs won the only game between the teams last season, a 31-24 victory in October. Tanner Mordecai threw two touchdowns for SMU.
TALE OF THE TAPE
The Midshipmen are averaging 20.8 points per game for the season, 111th in FBS, and they are facing a Mustangs defense that has surrendered 28.6 PPG (82nd). Meanwhile, SMU has scored 34.6 points a game this season, 35th in the country, and Navy is allowing 21.0 PPG (39th). The Midshipmen rank as one of the country’s top teams in rushing yards per game (231.8, 12th), while they are 127th in passing yards (110.0). The Mustangs are 82nd in passing yards allowed per game (240.4) and 103rd against the run (176.4).SMU has been one of the country’s top passing teams, averaging 355.0 passing yards per game (4th), while ranking 79th in rushing yards (145.2). The Midshipmen are allowing 262.2 passing yards (103rd) and 86.4 rushing yards per game (9th).
TOP PERFORMERS
Through five games, Tai Lavatai has thrown for two touchdowns and 104.8 yards per game to lead Navy in passing. In two away games this season, he has one TD and an average of 140.5 yards passing. Daba Fofana leads the team in rushing with an average of 55.0 yards a game over five games. He has three touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Vincent Terrell II is the Midshipmen’s leading receiver with 36.5 yards a game and one TD.Tanner Mordecai has 12 passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 336.0 yards per game through five games to lead SMU. In two home games this season, he has thrown for five TDs (3 INT) and an average of 292.0 yards. Velton Gardner has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 57.5 yards a game through four games. He has one touchdown. Rashee Rice has been a workhorse in the Mustangs’ aerial attack. He has four touchdowns and a 137.4 yard per game average through five appearances.
SportsTips’ College Football Pick:
SMU (-450)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
