Last week's win over ACU was a great way for SMU to get their collective sea legs and finally hit someone not in the same color jersey.
By no stretch was ACU a good opponent, but the Mustangs did what they were supposed to do against a cupcake team, and as well know by now, Tanner Mordecai set the world on fire in his first-ever start on The HillTop.
Now SMU takes on UNT this week in a rivalry that has played 40 times since 1922. Here are the three keys for SMU to come away with the win.
Establish the Run
While SMU did get 171 yards on the ground, and there was a lot of substitutions among the backs just to get game action against an inferior opponent, the offense cannot be all about Mordecai.
Ulysses Bentley IV led the team with 48 yards on 10 carries and Tre Siggers had 11 carries for 46. It would be much more preferential to establish the run game with more assertiveness.
Modern defenses are more geared to limit the pass game and invite the run, and SMU should take advantage of that fact by really get either Bentley IV or Siggers going, which will open up the passing attack.
More Takeaways, Please
Three interceptions and three forced fumbles last week was a solid start for a rejuvenated defense under Jim Leavitt.
That needs to continue this week as UNT will have many more playmakers on the field this week, including Roderic Burns and DeAndre Torrey.
Usually the team that wins the turnover battle will come out ahead at the end of the day. Talent is also important, but turnovers can be the difference maker when a team is struggling.
Don't Let UNT Hang Around
SMU is a heavy favorite according to ESPN's Matchup Predictor and all the Vegas betting lines. It's also a rivalry game.
The Mustangs cannot let North Texas hang around and keep it interesting late. Head coach Sonny Dykes wanted the bar set high to start the year. He got that, and now he needs his team to keep that foot on the gas.
While SMU was the far more talented than ACU last week and only led 7-0 after the first quarter, it cannot do the same this week. A 7-0 score after one gives UNT life - the Mustangs have to hit the gas early.
