The Iron Skillet is back in Dallas, and SMU has its win over a top-25 opponent in TCU. Now the Mustangs are looking to earn its first 5-0 start since 1983 and, most importantly, start the American Athletic Conference schedule with a victory.
SMU travels to Tampa, Florida, to take on a USF team that is coming off a bye week and looking to put roadblocks the Mustangs' success. A big win would support an opportunity for the Mustangs to be nationally ranked for the first time since 1986.
SMU (4-0) vs. USF (1-2)
Series: USF leads, 3-1
Date: Saturday, Sept. 28
Time: 3 p.m. CT
Place: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
(Seating capacity 65,857)
HOW TO WATCH/LISTEN
TV: ESPNU
Radio: KTCK (1310 AM or 96.7 FM)
Internet: Click here
VEGAS ODDS (Courtesy of VegasInsider.com)
Line: SMU -7.5
Over/Under: 62.5
WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME
USF quarterback Quinton Flowers put on a show at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, leading the Bulls to a 35-27 victory on Nov. 19, 2016. Flowers threw for 195 yards and three touchdowns, and he rushed for 142 yards in the win. Additionally, SMU wide receiver Courtland Sutton scored two touchdowns and caught 13 passes for 252 yards -- an SMU single-game record -- in the loss.
FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
SMU
QB Shane Buechele: Has thrown for seven TDs an AAC-leading 1,159 yards this season
WR Reggie Roberson Jr.: Leads the AAC in receiving yards and is second in receptions
WR James Proche: Coming off a 10-catch performance in the win vs. TCU
RB Xavier Jones: Needs one TD to tie and two to pass Doak Walker on the career rushing list
LB Delano Robinson: Performance against TCU earned him a spot on the AAC Weekly Honor Roll
USF
QB Jordan McCloud: Threw for three TDs and ran for two against South Carolina State
LB Patrick Macon: Leads the team with 21 tackles, 14 of which are solo
TE Mitchell Wilcox: Owns USF's tight end career touchdown receptions record
LB Nick Roberts: Had five tackles and a 62-yard INT in USF's win two weeks ago
ATH Johnny Ford: Small but packs a punch; leads the team in receptions and scoring
SMU WINS IF ...
The Mustangs are expected to move the ball on offense. Defensively, they will need to step up against a USF team that's quicker top to bottom than TCU. Containing McCloud at quarterback has to be a priority, as he's capable of using his athleticism to make like difficult for SMU's front seven.
USF WINS IF ...
Similar to what SMU did to TCU, the Bulls need to go into this game and establish dominance early. Once they take control of the game, they would need to keep the intensity high. SMU is undefeated for a reason, and USF will need to play flawless football at home to grab a much-needed victory.
