Oct 172 min read

SMU, Stanford Meet for First Time in 89 Years

SMU Mustangs vs. Stanford Cardinal | 10.19.24 — © Jamie Rhodes-Imagn Images

In a matchup between two Atlantic Coast Conference newcomers, the Stanford Cardinal (2-4, 1-2), hosts the No. 21 SMU Mustangs (5-1, 2-0) at 8:00 p.m. EST on Oct. 19 at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, Calif. The two programs are currently on different trajectories as Stanford has suffered three consecutive losses, while the Mustangs are riding a three-game winning streak.

In the newly expanded ACC, the Mustangs' schedule has them crisscrossing the country. This excursion to Stanford is their second trip out West this season.

History-Making Game

Stanford and SMU have met only once before, in the 1936 Rose Bowl. Although SMU entered that game as the nation's top-ranked team, the Cardinal prevailed 7-0.

The Stakes

After beginning its season 2-1, the Cardinal has dropped its last three contests by margins of 24 points or more. In Week 7, No. 12 Notre Dame (5-1) routed Stanford 49-7. With only six games remaining on its schedule, including this matchup with the Mustangs, the Cardinal needs to turn things around quickly to become bowl-eligible.

By contrast, SMU is humming along nicely as a dark horse contender for the conference title and a possible spot in the College Football Playoff. After this clash on the road with Stanford, four of the Mustangs' final six regular season games will be at home in Dallas.

Stanford Stars

Coach Troy Taylor's Cardinal offense boasts one of the nation's most gifted wide receivers, redshirt sophomore Elic Ayomanor. Named to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List, Ayomanor leads Stanford with 333 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. He is the favorite target of Cardinal dual-threat quarterback Ashton Daniels, who has struggled in the first half of the season, throwing more interceptions (6) than TDs (5). He and backup QB Justin Lamson have been under consistent pressure with 19 combined sacks.

By contrast, Stanford defenders have only sacked opposing QBs 9 times.

Linebackers Tristan Sinclair and Gaethan Bernadel, the Cardinal's leading tacklers, will face a stiff challenge in leading Stanford's effort to contain the potent, balanced SMU offense.

Marquee Mustangs

Team captain LB Kobe Wilson leads the SMU defense with 41 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss. He also has 2 INTs. While the Mustangs have snagged 10 INTs, their elite QBs (Kevin Jennings and Preston Stone) have thrown only 2. While Stone was the starter at the beginning of the season, Jennings has taken over that role. In a unique circumstance, both Jennings and Stone are team captains.

The Mustangs boast an excellent offensive line and it was recently named to the 2024 Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll. The OL facilitates SMU's conference-leading ground attack and has allowed only 6 QB sacks.