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ACC Challenge: Eagles Look to Corral No. 14 Mustangs

Mustangs answer challenge — © Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

On Nov. 16, the No. 14 SMU Mustangs (8-1, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) host the Boston College Eagles (5-4, 2-3) in a pivotal late-season matchup. The Mustangs seek to close out their initial ACC season undefeated in league play and move one step closer to the conference championship. This will be only the third all-time meeting between the two programs, with the series tied 1-1. Will the Mustangs answer the challenge as the season winds down?

The Stakes

The Mustangs have taken the ACC by storm. They are a front-runner for the conference championship as the league's only undefeated team. The path for head coach Rhett Lashlee and the Mustangs is simple: three conference games remain, win, and they are in.

For the Eagles, the season began on a promising note, with new head coach Bill O'Brien and young quarterback in Thomas Castellanos. Although the Eagles won four out of their first five games, they subsequently lost three in a row before bouncing back in Week 11 with a win over Syracuse (6-3, 3-3).

With five wins on the season, a win would make the Eagles bowl-eligible for the second year in a row. Playing spoiler to the Mustangs and earning their sixth win of the season would be a huge building block for coach O'Brien.

Magnificent Mustangs

On offense, QB Kevin Jennings has assumed control after being named the starter in Week 4. He has a strong arm and can make throws all over the field, averaging 9.7 yards per pass. He's responsible for 2,217 total yards and 15 total touchdowns.

Running back Brashard Smith has emerged as the workhorse back with 1,229 all-purpose yards and 14 touchdowns. Smith has routinely shown great hands as a receiver as well as the speed, vision and agility to be a home-run threat.

On defense, linebacker Kobe Wilson and safety Isaiah Nwokobia are a pair of ball-seeking missiles and lead the team in tackles with 127 between them, while Wilson has also added two interceptions and a forced fumble. The secondary has been most impressive with safeties Ahmad Moses, Jonathan McGill and Nwokobia blanketing receivers and generating 7 interceptions and 11 pass breakups between them.

Excellent Eagles

Heading into the game, QB Castellanos would have been the one to watch on offense as a dual-threat signal caller. However, after being replaced by Grayson James in the Eagles' win last week, Castellanos has reportedly entered the Transfer Portal and stepped away from the team. James has a solid arm and can deliver the ball to his playmakers.

Running backs Kye Robichaux and Treshaun Ward have been a formidable duo in the backfield both as runners and receivers. They have racked up 1,101 yards and 13 touchdowns between them.

On the other side of the ball, defensive end Donovan Ezeiruaku has been a one-man wrecking ball for the Eagles and a nightmare for opposing offenses. He leads the team in tackles with 59 and is fourth in the country with 11 sacks. The secondary has also been formidable with 9 interceptions and 21 pass breakups on the year.

Matchup to Watch: Robichaux and Ward vs. SMU Defense

With James taking over as a starter, the SMU defense faces a bit of an unknown entity. He will seek to involve his skilled playmakers, but while he adjusts to the starting role, the workload should be increased for Robichaux and Ward. The Mustangs' defense has been stingy against the run allowing 90 yards per game. A key will be whether the Mustangs' defense holds up against the dynamic playmakers for the Eagles.