SMU at Wake Forest - 2025 Matchup Preview
SMU logo SMU Mustangs at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsWake Forest logo
Saturday, October 25th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
BB&T Field - Winston-Salem, NC  (ACC)

 
Mustangs (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rhett Lashlee (29 - 12)
Avg Score : 37 - 22 (29 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#21)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
SMU 2nd straight Road Game
WAKE coming off BYE
SMU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: SMU -17.5   (SP+ SMU -17.5)

Projected Score: SMU: 37 - WAKE: 20 (59)
SMU Win prob: 89% | Cover: 51%
SMU Travel: 967 miles, 1 hrs behind
Demon Deacons (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jake Dickert (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 26 - 33 (27 - 35 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 4.4 - 7.6 (#110)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 4) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 4)
 
SMU's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 SMU vs East Texas A&M-37
Sat 9/6 SMU vs Baylor-6.5
Sat 9/13 SMU at Missouri State-29
Sat 9/20 SMU at TCU+0.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 SMU vs Syracuse-10.5
Sat 10/11 SMU vs Stanford-21.5
Sat 10/18 SMU at Clemson+14.5
Sat 10/25 SMU at Wake Forest-17.5
Sat 11/1 SMU vs Miami+4
Sat 11/8 SMU at Boston College-8.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 SMU vs Louisville-4
Sat 11/29 SMU at California-13

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 2
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for SMU's Schedule
Wake Forest's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Wake Forest vs Kennesaw State-17.553.5
Sat 9/6 Wake Forest vs Western Carolina-16.5
Thu 9/11 Wake Forest vs NC State+10.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Wake Forest vs Georgia Tech+11.5
Sat 10/4 Wake Forest at Virginia Tech+15
Sat 10/11 Wake Forest at Oregon State+6
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Wake Forest vs SMU+17.5
Sat 11/1 Wake Forest at Florida State+17
Sat 11/8 Wake Forest at Virginia+9
Sat 11/15 Wake Forest vs North Carolina+6.5
Sat 11/22 Wake Forest vs Delaware-12.5
Sat 11/29 Wake Forest at Duke+15

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 4, Bad 1, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 4, Bad 1, Poor 3
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Wake Forest's Schedule

Important Stats (2024)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
SMU#38 (.24)44% (53)36.544% (62)2.97 (83)16944% (45)2634.41 (25)#5 (.03)37% (9)22.139% (35)35% (10)3.09 (13)77.71.71.6
WAKE#104 (.13)42% (81)25.743% (79)3 (79)13141% (75)2403.2 (121)#118 (.27)51% (134)32.548% (110)53% (133)4.12 (99)45.91.81.4
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
SMU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
WAKE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SMU Offense1436.52944.1%4.411.7234321692634.451%49%44%44%15%.24
WAKE Defense1232.534.750.7%4.121.4 - - - - - 44%56%48%53%12%.27
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SMU Defense1422.122.236.7%3.091.6 - - - - - 44%55%39%35%18%.03
WAKE Offense1225.726.641.9%3.21.8223721312403.648%52%43%41%16%.13

Additional Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
SMU1428:2822.644%50%8.177.71.71.66.63.1331.1
Wake Forest1228:5121.839%64%5.145.91.81.44.91.7229
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
SMU Offense1451% (65)44% (62)38.3168.94.429 (18).12 (77)2.97 (83)70% (90)9% (49)0.93 (86)
WAKE Defense1244% (6)48% (110) - - - - .18 (101)3.13 (88)80% (112)8% (110)0.96 (58)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
SMU Defense1444% (9)39% (35) - - - - -.05 (2)2.72 (25)60% (10)11% (36)0.81 (6)
WAKE Offense1248% (86)43% (79)36.4131.43.618 (78).05 (106)3 (79)81% (18)10% (70)0.92 (88)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SMU Offense1449% (70)44% (45)19.931.2262.98.413.228 (15)12 (85).37 (19)1.8 (11)33% (94)34% (34).47 (17)6% (69)2.3 (13)
WAKE Defense1256% (129)53% (133) - - - - - - 11 (52).36 (116)1.3 (2)26% (130)40% (132).41 (106)4% (131)1.8 (18)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SMU Defense1455% (124)35% (10) - - - - - - 16 (10).11 (17)1.7 (107)37% (7)27% (21).16 (12)7% (30)2.1 (96)
WAKE Offense1252% (50)41% (75)20.733.6240.17.211.617 (79)13 (103).23 (83)1.5 (115)31% (63)28% (102).15 (125)7% (93)1.9 (103)

SMU's Power Ratings
SMU's Power Rating: 13.52 #23
SMU's Offense Rating: 19.38 #38
SMU's Defense Rating: 5.86 #20
2025 Talent Rating: 776.00 #51
Blue Chip Ratio: 7% #44
SMU's 2025 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
SMU's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 13.1 #20
SMU's Offense SP+ Rating: 37.2 #11
SMU's Defense SP+ Rating: 24.2 #42

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 825.18
Average Power Five Talent: 856.9
Average FBS Talent: 681.31

Power Ratings Matchup
SMU: 13.52   Wake Forest: -4.4

SP+ Ratings Matchup
SMU: 13.1   Wake Forest: -4.6




Wake Forest's Power Ratings
Wake Forest's Power Rating: -4.4 #91
Wake Forest's Offense Rating: 10.88 #88
Wake Forest's Defense Rating: 20.08 #97
2025 Talent Rating: 750.00 #59
Blue Chip Ratio: 3 #61
Wake Forest's 2025 Expected Record: 4.4 - 7.6
Wake Forest's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -4.6 #81
Wake Forest's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.0 #78
Wake Forest's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.6 #87

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 825.18
Average Power Five Talent: 856.9
Average FBS Talent: 681.31


SMU Scoring
Offense: 36.5 PPG
Offense on Road: 29
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 22.2

SMU's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
SMU 37
Wake Forest 20


Projected Total Points: 59
Wake Forest Scoring
Offense: 25.7 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.6
Defense: 32.5 PPG
Defense at Home: 34.7

Wake Forest's 2025 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Wake Forest000 Overs
SMU000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#23) SMU Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 13.52 #23
Offense Rating: 19.38 #38
Defense Rating: 5.86 #20
Overall SP+ Rating: 13.1 #20
Offense SP+ Rating: 37.2 #11
Defense SP+ Rating: 24.2 #42
Talent Rating: 776.00 #51
Blue Chip Ratio: 7% #44
Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 51%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 44%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.41 PPO
Avg Run Success 44%
Avg Pass Success 44%
Avg OL Grades, Bad OL Yds Per Rush
Great DL Grades, Good Sacks/Turnovers
Great Defense Success Rate of 37%
Great in Scoring Position 3.09 PPO
Good Run Def Success 39%
Great Pass Def Success 35%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position


SMU Notes
(5/28) OT PJ Williams a future star, 900+ snaps of A ball
(5/28) Def good LY, must replace a lot, 13 portal adds
(5/20) DL added 10 portals (7 from P4), both DEs back
(5/20) LB replaces most, 2 productive G5 portal adds
(5/20) OL decent LY, 4 exp'd starters, 3 P4 portal adds
(5/20) Pass D really good LY, have #1 CB, good at S
(5/3) RBs rebuild. Soph McFall #1, good depth/potential
(5/3) WRs Hudson/Brinson top 2, Knight (JMU) slot
(5/2) S Isaiah Nwokobia rated top 10 S via PFF
(4/4) TE Maryland great weapon, top 10 PFF, hurt LY.
SMU     Ratings Matchup     Wake Forest
Power #23
#91
Off #38
#88
Def #20
#97
Talent #51
#59
SP+ #20
#81
SP+ Off #11
#78
SP+ Def #42
#87

Weather Forecast
Playing in BB&T Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: SMU | WAKE
Depth Chart: SMU | WAKE
Rosters: SMU | WAKE
(#91) Wake Forest Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: -4.4 #91
Offense Rating: 10.88 #88
Defense Rating: 20.08 #97
Overall SP+ Rating: -4.6 #81
Offense SP+ Rating: 26.0 #78
Defense SP+ Rating: 30.6 #87
Talent Rating: 750.00 #59
Blue Chip Ratio: 3 #61
Expected Record: 4.4 - 7.6

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 48%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Poor Offensive Explosiveness
Awful in Scoring Position 3.2 PPO
Bad Run Success 43%
Bad Pass Success 41%
Avg OL Grades, Bad OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Awful Defense Success Rate of 51%
Poor in Scoring Position 4.12 PPO
Poor Run Def Success 48%
Awful Pass Def Success 53%
Awful Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Bad Field Position


Wake Forest Notes
(5/15) 50% of DL exp is from G5 portals.
(5/15) Can L Webb (UTSA) be a lockdown CB?
(3/22) Added 16 players that started LY via portal
(3/22) QBs likely Ashford (SC), #2 Purdie (Char)
(3/22) Def awful LY. Lots of portals Looks rough
(3/19) RBs top 2 back, Claiborne 1K good baller
(3/19) WRs rebuild. 2 Portal adds (Wazzu) help
(3/19) OL complete rebuild. 6 portals, 4 from Wazzu
(3/19) New OC Ezell only 1 yr exp (LY @ S Al)
(3/19) New DC Hazelton was good until MSU/Tucker


  
SMU's OC Casey Woods
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kevin Jennings24838165%318923118.4
Tyler Van Dyke (Tr)436863%422106.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
TJ Harden (Tr)12450524.140
Kevin Jennings10135453.559
Derrick McFall2610624.117
Chris Johnson Jr. (Tr)63105.224
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Yamir Knight (Tr)52605411.668
Jordan Hudson39422510.842
TJ Harden (Tr)4036819.253
Matthew Hibner24368415.380

View SMU's Full Roster
SMU's DC Scott Symons
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Nwokobia953123
Robert Rahimi (Tr)826115
Zakye Barker (Tr)8112211
Ahmaad Moses646003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Smith319761
Cam Robertson296330
Jahkai Lang (Tr)122200
Zakye Barker (Tr)8112211
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Deuce Harmon282006
Robert Rahimi (Tr)826115
Isaiah Nwokobia953123

Wake Forest's OC Rob Ezell
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Deshawn Purdie (Tr)10020050%18021069.0
Robby Ashford (Tr)233272%3242010.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Demond Claiborne2281048114.660
Tate Carney8233564.118
Robby Ashford (Tr)4122725.538
EJ Reid1303.03
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Carlos Hernandez (Tr)31397512.842
Demond Claiborne23254211.044
Micah Mays Jr.16218213.641
Sterling Berkhalter (Tr)11191117.461

View Wake Forest's Full Roster
Wake Forest's DC Scottie Hazelton
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Dylan Hazen786130
Davaughn Patterson744003
Quincy Bryant483020
Langston Hardy (Tr)447430
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gabe Kirschke (Tr)4110682
Langston Hardy (Tr)447430
Zach Lohavichan123200
Dylan Hazen786130
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson744003
Lardarius Webb Jr. (Tr)402003
Gabe Kirschke (Tr)4110682