This weekend the 10-0 Cincinnati Bearcats will be facing off against the SMU Mustangs in the Bearcats final regular season home game of the season. The game will be airing this Saturday on ESPN at 3:30 eastern standard time.
SMU is currently 3rd in the American Athletic Conference. With an overall record of 8-2. SMU is 4-2 in conference play this season. SMU’s only losses have come against Houston and Memphis. SMU head coach is Sonny Dykes who has been their head coach since 2018. In just three seasons on the Hilltop, Sonny Dykes has transformed SMU Football into a conference championship contender and launched them into contenders in the American Athletic Conference. Dykes was named head football coach at SMU on Dec. 11, 2017, arriving on the Hilltop after head coaching stints at Cal and Louisiana Tech. SMU offensive coordinator Garrett Riley has done an exceptional job on the offensive side of the ball. SMU is ranked No. 6 in total offense this season with 4,987 total yards and 6.65 yards per play. SMU is also ranked 14th in the nation on third down conversions, which can be key in a close matchup. Bearcats are ranked 3rd in fourth down conversions which can be considered even more critical in a close game. SMU is led by junior quarterback Tanner Mordecai. Mordecai has 3,264 passing yards on the season, to go along with 41 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, and a 70.1% pass completion rate. SMU has two solid running backs on the offense. Senior Tre Siggers has 663 rushing yards this season as well as nine touchdowns. Siggers is accompanied by Ulysses Bentley in the backfield. Ulysses Bently has 517 rushing yards this season, as well as four touchdowns. SMU running back tandem will prove to be a big test for the Bearcats defensive line. SMU has an electric wide receiver group as well. Starting with senior Danny Gray who averages 16.4 yards per catch, he has 803 yards on the season with nine touchdowns. Opposite side of the field stands junior Rashee Rice who has eight touchdowns this season with 599 yards. Lastly wide receiver senior Reggie Roberson has had a great season with 567 yards on the season with six touchdowns. SMU’s red zone threat would be their tight end senior Grant Calcaterra who provides a big body in the end zone. Grant Calcatterra who has four touchdowns on the season with 451 yards. SMU’s offense will prove to be a great test for the Bearcats defense.
Now onto SMU defense. SMU has had some defensive struggles this season, but overall have gotten better every week and are a respectable unit and have a lot of talent on that side of the ball. SMU allows their opponents an average of 27.8 points per game. SMU is led by Junior defensive tackle DeVere Levelston. Levelston has 32 total tackles this season, with 6.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Delano Robinson is the anchor of the defense; he leads the team in tackles with 60 tackles, one sack and one interception. Senior defensive end Gary Wiley is a menace as an edge rusher. Gary Wiley has 34 tackles on the season, 4.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
The Bearcats odds to win this week according to ESPN is at 75.6%. Nippert Stadium will be live, with an exciting atmosphere for the fans and players. We look forward to the matchup this weekend.
