
SMU Hosts BYU in Their First Power 4 Matchup as ACC Newcomer
This Friday night, college football fans are in for an exciting showdown as SMU, newly minted in the Atlantic Coast Conference, takes on BYU in their first game against another Power 4 opponent. Scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2, this clash promises to be a pivotal moment for both teams as they test their mettle against elite competition.
SMU, riding high on a nine-game home winning streak, has been an offensive juggernaut during this stretch, averaging nearly 54 points per game. This is their longest home winning streak since the late 1940s. In contrast, BYU, now in its second season with the Big 12, has shown resilience with a record of 6-7 since joining the league, following a long tenure as an independent team.
Both teams come into this game with recent successes. BYU cruised to a 41-13 victory over Southern Illinois, showcasing a dynamic offensive performance. Meanwhile, SMU obliterated Houston Christian with a 59-7 win, demonstrating their own offensive prowess. The Mustangs' defense also shined, forcing three turnovers and converting them into touchdowns, including a memorable 16-yard fumble return for a score by nose tackle Anthony Booker Jr.
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As we look ahead to this game, a key matchup to watch will be between Anthony Booker Jr. and the SMU defense against BYU’s potent offense, which amassed 527 yards in their opener without a single turnover. SMU's defense will need to harness the same intensity that led them to victory over Houston Christian if they hope to stymie BYU's high-octane attack.
For BYU, keep an eye on their standout wide receivers, Chase Roberts and JoJo Phillips. Roberts, a 6-foot-4 senior, was impressive in their opener with seven catches for 108 yards. Phillips, a promising redshirt freshman, added a 57-yard touchdown among his two catches for 70 yards. Their ability to exploit SMU’s secondary could be crucial to BYU’s success.
On the other side, SMU quarterback Preston Stone will be looking to continue his strong form. With a 13-2 record as a starter and having already thrown for 332 yards with three touchdowns this season, Stone's performance will be key in maintaining SMU's offensive momentum.
Historically, BYU has been a challenging opponent for SMU. The two teams first met in the 1980 Holiday Bowl, where BYU staged a dramatic comeback to win 46-45. Their most recent encounter was a nail-biting 24-23 win for BYU in the 2022 New Mexico Bowl, when SMU’s last-second two-point conversion attempt fell short.
With both teams entering the game on a high, this Friday’s matchup is set to be a thrilling contest. SMU will be looking to assert their dominance in their new conference, while BYU aims to continue their strong start in the Big 12. As the Mustangs and Cougars face off, the game will not only be a test of skill but also a chance to make a statement in their respective conferences.
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