Free College Football Picks Today: University of Central Florida Knights vs Southern Methodist University Mustangs 10/5/22

An American Athletic Conference opener matching strength against strength is set for FBC Mortgage Stadium on Sunday, as the University of Central Florida Knights (3-1, 2-1 Home) and their tremendous passing defense host the Southern Methodist University Mustangs (2-2, 1-1 Away) and their powerful aerial offense. The Knights are three-point favorites, and the total is 64.5. SMU is coming off a 42-34 loss to TCU at Gerald J. Ford Stadium last Saturday. Tanner Mordecai threw for 372 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Tre Siggers ran 19 times for 60 yards and three touchdowns. Jake Bailey caught eight passes for 163 yards and a touchdown. UCF beat Georgia Tech 27-10 at FBC Mortgage Stadium last Saturday. John Rhys Plumlee was 8 of 16 for 49 yards and an interception. He added 100 yards and a touchdown on the ground.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Mustangs won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 55-28 victory in November. Mordecai threw three touchdowns for SMU. Mark-Antony Richards had two touchdowns for UCF.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Mustangs are averaging 38.5 points per game so far this season, 31st in FBS, and they are facing a Knights defense that has surrendered 13.5 PPG (12th). Meanwhile, UCF has scored 34.3 points a game this season, 50th in the country, and SMU is allowing 25.5 PPG (73rd).The Mustangs rank as one of the nation’s top teams in passing yards per game (353.0, 5th), while they are 76th in rushing yards (153.3). They will be matching strength against strength through the air, as the Knights are 19th in the country in passing yards allowed per game (169.8). Against the run, UCF is 73rd (146.8).UCF has been one of the country’s top rushing teams, averaging 274.5 yards per game (5th), while ranking 98th in passing yards (206.8). The Mustangs are allowing 219.5 passing yards (61st) and 180.5 rushing yards per game (106th).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through four games, Mordecai has thrown for 12 touchdowns (5 INT) and 346.2 yards per game to lead SMU in passing. In two away games this season, he has seven TDs (2 INT) and an average of 400.5 yards passing. Siggers leads the team in rushing with an average of 66.7 yards a game over three games. He has four touchdowns on the ground. Rashee Rice is the Mustangs’ leading receiver with 141.2 yards a game and four TDs. Plumlee has five passing touchdowns (3 INT) with 206.8 yards per game through four games to lead UCF. In three home games this season, he has thrown for four TDs (2 INT) and an average of 162.7 yards. Plumlee also leads the team in rushing with an average of 97.5 yards per game. He has four touchdowns on the ground. Javon Baker has been a key target in the Knights’ aerial attack. He has two touchdowns and a 64.2 yard per game average through four appearances.