2 days ago3 min read

ACC Frontrunning Mustangs, Virginia Meet for the First Time

History will be made when the Virginia Cavaliers (5-5, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) host the No. 13 SMU Mustangs (9-1, 6-0) in the first-ever meeting of the two programs on the gridiron. Kickoff in the groundbreaking game is at noon EST on Nov. 23 in Scott Stadium on the grounds of the beautiful University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va.

As the lone undefeated team in the ACC, the Mustangs look to solidify their postseason positioning and, riding a seven-game winning streak, are favored by 9.5 points over the Cavaliers.

High Stakes

While the Cavaliers could secure bowl eligibility with a victory, the stakes are considerably higher for SMU. The Mustangs are in a three-team race for the ACC championship with the No. 8 Miami Hurricanes (9-1, 5-1) and the No. 17 Clemson Tigers (8-2, 7-1). With a win over Virginia, the Ponies would secure a spot in the conference championship game and bolster their bid for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Celebrated Cavaliers

Sophomore quarterback Anthony Colandrea has thrown for 2,017 yards and 12 touchdowns this year, but has also given up 11 interceptions. In practice this week, Colandrea and backup QB Tony Muskett are both taking first-team snaps. Per Sports Illustrated, head coach Tony Elliot is leaning toward giving Colandrea the start against the Mustangs.

SMU Mustangs vs. Virginia Cavaliers — © Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Charlottesville native wide receiver Malachi Fields is the team's leading pass catcher with 49 receptions for 746 yards and 4 TDs.

Standout senior safety Jonas Sanker spearheads the Virginia defense. He leads the team with 82 tackles, including 9 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He also has reeled in 1 interception. The super safety's consistently excellent performance has resulted in him being named ACC defensive back of the week four times this season.

Linebacker Dorian Jones is expected to get his first start for the Cavaliers, replacing injured senior James Jackson, who had 45 tackles, including 5 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. Jones has 12 tackles thus far and the Cavaliers will look to him to play a substantially increased role.

Magnificent Mustangs

Rhett Lashlee and his staff have done a terrific job in the Mustangs' inaugural season in the ACC. Lashlee, who was a finalist for the Paul "Bear" Bryant Coach of the Year Award in 2023, is once again on the watch list for the award this year.

SMU Mustangs | Rhett Lashlee — © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The explosive SMU offense averages 39.9 points per game, and the dominant defense limits opponents to 22.4 points per game.

Elite running back Brashard Smith has excelled all season long, with 1,049 rushing yards and 12 rushing TDs, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He also plays a significant role in the Mustangs' passing attack with 203 receiving yards and 2 more TDs.

On special teams, the Mustangs have outperformed their opponents. While SMU has made 19 of 25 field goals, foes have made only 6 of 10. Placekicker Collin Rogers has thrived in long-distance kicks, converting 6 of 7 attempts from the 40-49-yard range and 7 of 10 from 50 yards and beyond. Curiously, however, he has missed 2 of 5 chip shots from under 30 yards.

LB Kobe Wilson was phenomenal in SMU's victory over Boston College on Nov. 16, tallying 16 tackles, including 1 sack.

SMU Mustangs LB Kobe Wilson — © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

While the Mustangs' ball-hawking defense has snagged 14 interceptions, the offense has yielded only 7, and 3 of those INTs came in SMU's 6-turnover game against the Duke Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3). Junior safeties Ahmad Moses and Isaiah Nwokobia lead the way with 3 INTs each, and Wilson has 2.