Boston College will see SMU for the third time in three seasons to continue this fledgling rivalry – in this year’s edition of the Red Bandana Game.
Game Notes:
Saturday, November 8th at TBD
Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA
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Series:
1-1 all time, as the Eagles upset SMU in the 2023 Fenway Bowl while SMU took revenge in conference play last season.
2024 Recap:
SMU announced its long-awaited return to power-conference college football with an 11-3 record and College Football Playoff appearance. Fueled by the dynamic duo of QB Kevin Jennings and RB Brashard Smith alongside a bevy of productive receivers, head coach Rhett Lashlee’s Mustangs averaged 37.8 points per game while the defense produced plenty of splash plays (43 sacks, 16 interceptions). SMU fell just short of an ACC title – after being upset by Clemson in the title game – and self-destructed in the first round of the CFP, so the Mustangs will be out looking to prove that 2024 was no fluke.
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Offense:
SMU returns 66% of its offensive production, headlined by Jennings. He’s an explosive athlete who totalled 3,245 passing yards along with 23 TDs and 11 interceptions. He added 354 rushing yards and 5 TDs, but after a disastrous start against Penn State, (3 first-half interceptions basically took SMU out of the game), Jennings has said he’s approaching this year as a “revenge tour.” He’ll have one of his favorite receivers back in WR/TE RJ Maryland, who caught 24 balls for 359 yards and 4 TDs. The offensive line, anchored by tackle PJ Williams, should form a solid unit in front of Jennings. Explosive RB Brashard Smith is off to the NFL, so Lashlee hit the portal for depth in the RB room in Chris Johnson Jr. (Miami) and T.J. Harden (UCLA). This is without a doubt a dangerous unit.
Defense:
SMU faces more turnover on the defensive side of the ball, only returning 54% of its production. The front 6, in particular, will need new playmakers to emerge quickly after losing 8 of the 12 players to log at least 200 snaps last season. The secondary still features do-it-all safety Isaiah Nwokobia (100 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 3 interceptions), and San Jose State transfer Robert Rahimi (10 interceptions in the last two years) will look to add more splash-play potential. This group will need to gel quickly, but there’s plenty of talent here for another successful season.
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Matchup vs. Boston College:
SMU will likely have the talent advantage in this one, and BC will need to figure out how to stop Jennings. The continuity factor of having played in three consecutive seasons adds intrigue, and BC will have a major boost from the home Red Bandana crowd. I expect SMU to be favorites by something like 12-14 points. Yet of the three CFP opponents BC faces (in SMU, ND, and Clemson), I think SMU presents the most winnable matchup for the Eagles.
