SMU Mustangs 2022 College Football Preview
July 8, 2022
2021 Recap
Record – 8-4
ATS – 6-6
“Here we go again. Again.” <Tugg Speedman> <Schorcher VI – Global Meltdown>
2019. SMU starts 8-0, loses three of last five games.
2020. SMU starts 5-0, loses three of last five games.
2021. Wait for it. SMU starts 7-0, loses four of last five games.
2022. It’ll be up to new head coach Rhett Lashlee, former OC of YOUR Miami Hurricanes, to figure out how to keep a talented bunch rolling for a full season.
SMU Mustangs 2022 Outlook
OFFENSE
The Mustangs have been potent on offense for a number of years and they did serious damage in 2021 (38.4 PPG, #9 FBS). QB Tanner Mordecai developed into a legit star LY (68%, 39-12 TD to INT, 202 rush, 2 TD) and he should flourish under the guidance of Lashlee and friends. Mordecai will be without three of his top-four targets from LY’s squad but note that SMU added some talent via the transfer portal including former UNC wideout Beau Corrales. #1 RB Tre Siggers is back for duty (727, 9 TD) and they scooped up a highly-recruited specimen from ROLL TIDE (!) in Camar Wheaton. Three starters return on the offensive line and the addition of a pair of Power 5 transfers can only help the situation. SMU will move like a TREMENDOUS MACHINE once again.
DEFENSE
SMU was sneaky-good on defense last year and had their best performance since 2012 (!) when they were a member of Conference USA. They weren’t a brick wall, but they allowed 28 PPG, 3.7 YPC (#3 AAC) and 59% completions (#5 AAC). New DC Scott Symons did a good job with Liberty and he’s got seven returning starters and six of their top-nine tacklers to work with in 2022. We’re excited to report that their top-four sack producers are back in the mix including stud DT Elijah Chatman (10 TFL, 3 QBH, 2nd Team AAC). The secondary has loads of experience but the LB group might be a bit thin given the departure of two of the team’s top-three tacklers from 2021. This has the look of an average AAC stop unit.
SPECIAL TEAMS
It’s a mixed bag. They lose ace PK Blake Mazza (12-15 FG LY) but boast one of the best KR in college football in Bryan Massey who booked two TDs in 2021 (34.3 avg on 20 returns) (!).
Schedule Analysis
Overall – It sets up pretty well. They don’t have a killer non-conference game (at Maryland, TCU) and get Cincinnati and Houston at home.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – October 29 – at Tulsa
This road tilt is SANDWICHED between the yuuuge aforementioned home games (Bearcats, Cougars) that will go a long way towards deciding the AAC Championship Game participants.
Season Win Total
per BetOnline July 8
Over 7 -115
Under 7 -115
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Over
SMU has a decent shot of going 3-1 before conference play rolls around and they should be able to win four or five games in AAC action.
MEGAmazing Tidbit
The Mustangs have been much better at home (35-26, .574) than on the road (21-37, .362) over the L10Y. Note the excellent ATS record as home chalk over that time horizon (22-10, 69%).
MEGALOCKS Outlook:
It should be another fun season in Dallas for Mustang fans. Ya, they’ve kinda cratered in late-season action recently, but the conference is there for the taking if they can avoid a late season TANK JOB. Win two of three vs the BIG ‘UNS (UCF, Cincinnati, Houston) and they’ll almost certainly find their way into the conference title game.
Pony Up, Dallas!
Want more SMU football ?
WEBSITE
https://smumustangs.com/sports/football
FORUM
http://www.ponyfans.com/phpBB3/viewforum.php?f=1
https://247sports.com/college/smu/Board/SMU-Fan-Football-Recruiting-Message-Board-Forum–105959/
https://smu.forums.rivals.com/forums/the-boulevard.10/
NEWS
http://sportsday.dallasnews.com/college-sports/smu-mustangs
http://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2567/smu-mustangs