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 (4 - 2) (1 - 5 - 0)
Coach Rhett Lashlee (29 - 12)
Avg Score : 34 - 22 (26 - 23 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.8 - 4.2 (#45)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
SMU 2nd straight Road Game
WAKE coming off BYE
SMU is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: SMU -5.5  (SP+ SMU -6)

Projected Score: SMU: 29 - WAKE: 23 (52)
SMU Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
SMU Travel: 967 miles, 1 hrs behind
Demon Deacons (4 - 2) (4 - 2 - 0)
Coach Jake Dickert (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 29 - 20 (26 - 21 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.3 - 4.7 (#48)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 3)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 3) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 2)
 
SMU's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 SMU vs East Texas A&M-51.065.0W 42 - 13UN
Sat 9/6 SMU vs Baylor-3.065.5L 45 - 48ON
Sat 9/13 SMU at Missouri State-29.560.5W 28 - 10UN
Sat 9/20 SMU at TCU+6.563.5L 24 - 35UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 SMU vs Syracuse-17.556.5W 31 - 18UN
Sat 10/11 SMU vs Stanford-19.555.5W 34 - 10UY
Sat 10/18 SMU at Clemson+5.550.5
Sat 10/25 SMU at Wake Forest-5.5
Sat 11/1 SMU vs Miami+8
Sat 11/8 SMU at Boston College-16.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 SMU vs Louisville+0.5
Sat 11/29 SMU at California-13

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for SMU's Schedule
Wake Forest's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 8/29 Wake Forest vs Kennesaw State-17.551.5W 10 - 9UN
Sat 9/6 Wake Forest vs Western Carolina-17.560.5W 42 - 10UY
Thu 9/11 Wake Forest vs NC State+7.552.5L 24 - 34ON
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Wake Forest vs Georgia Tech+13.553.5L 29 - 30OY
Sat 10/4 Wake Forest at Virginia Tech+4.551.5W 30 - 23OY
Sat 10/11 Wake Forest at Oregon State-1.547.5W 39 - 14OY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/25 Wake Forest vs SMU+5.5
Sat 11/1 Wake Forest at Florida State+10
Sat 11/8 Wake Forest at Virginia+6
Sat 11/15 Wake Forest vs North Carolina-16
Sat 11/22 Wake Forest vs Delaware-16.5
Sat 11/29 Wake Forest at Duke+3

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 2
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 3, Avg 1, Bad 1, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 2
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Wake Forest's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 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#36 (.27)44% (58)3441% (94)3.03 (61)12747% (30)2784.32 (49)#18 (.04)41% (59)22.338% (32)43% (83)2.38 (3)67.81.52.3
WAKE#65 (.2)38% (122)2938% (116)2.61 (114)16138% (114)2503.19 (121)#15 (.03)34% (9)2038% (29)31% (8)3.15 (27)75.711
 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)44% (62)2.97 (83)16944% (45)2634.41 (25)#5 (.03)37% (9)39% (35)35% (10)3.09 (13)77.71.71.6
WAKE#104 (.13)42% (81)43% (79)3 (79)13141% (75)2403.2 (121)#118 (.27)51% (134)48% (110)53% (133)4.12 (99)45.91.81.4



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SMU Offense6342644.1%4.321.522405127278446%53%41%47%17%.27
WAKE Defense62020.833.8%3.151 - - - - - 47%52%38%31%18%.03
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SMU Defense622.322.540.6%2.382.3 - - - - - 41%58%38%43%21%.04
WAKE Offense62926.337.6%3.191184101612504.947%52%38%38%14%.2

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
SMU626:1921.538%75%767.81.52.36.73.2328.2
Wake Forest627:3618.237%43%8.375.71172.2130.9
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 Offense646% (101)41% (94)31.5127.249 (77).12 (72)3.03 (61)84% (13)10% (98)1.04 (43)
WAKE Defense647% (41)38% (29) - - - - .02 (33)2.68 (41)63% (27)11% (37)0.93 (57)
 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 Defense641% (7)38% (32) - - - - -.06 (12)2.58 (29)59% (15)11% (51)0.86 (28)
WAKE Offense647% (91)38% (116)32.8160.54.913 (35).16 (56)2.61 (114)74% (63)8% (26)1.22 (6)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SMU Offense653% (41)47% (30)2332277.88.712.115 (13)6 (102).46 (23)1.6 (49)31% (72)28% (96).35 (59)6% (93)2.2 (23)
WAKE Defense652% (97)31% (8) - - - - - - 3 (93).04 (14)1.5 (62)39% (6)26% (35).1 (18)7% (47)1.8 (26)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SMU Defense658% (130)43% (83) - - - - - - 10 (5).11 (30)1.5 (52)35% (28)32% (98).23 (48)11% (2)2 (64)
WAKE Offense652% (45)38% (114)18.231.3249.7813.77 (99)4 (50).26 (77)1.7 (17)32% (85)21% (134).16 (111)6% (74)2.6 (4)

SMU's Power Ratings
SMU's Power Rating: 23.81  #22
SMU's Offense Rating: 20.49  #30
SMU's Defense Rating: -3.32  #20
2025 Talent Rating: 756.00  #64
Blue Chip Ratio: 9%  #42
SMU's 2025 Expected Record: 7.8 - 4.2
SMU's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.8  #44
SMU's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.0  #29
SMU's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.3  #59

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
SMU: 23.81   Wake Forest: 10.645

SP+ Ratings Matchup
SMU: 8.8   Wake Forest: 2.8




Wake Forest's Power Ratings
Wake Forest's Power Rating: 10.645  #45
Wake Forest's Offense Rating: 8.52  #85
Wake Forest's Defense Rating: -4.97  #13
2025 Talent Rating: 866.00  #35
Blue Chip Ratio: 3  #65
Wake Forest's 2025 Expected Record: 7.3 - 4.7
Wake Forest's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 2.8  #65
Wake Forest's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.5  #78
Wake Forest's Defense SP+ Rating: 22.5  #42

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


SMU Scoring
Offense: 34 PPG
Offense on Road: 26
Defense: 22.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 22.5

SMU's 2025 Record
Record: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread: 1 - 5 - 0
Record on Road: 1 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 2 - 0
Projected Score
SMU 29
Wake Forest 23


Total Points: 52

Based on Last 4 Games
SMU 28
Wake Forest 24

Total Points: 53

Based on Entire Season
SMU 25
Wake Forest 25

Total Points: 50
Wake Forest Scoring
Offense: 29 PPG
Offense at Home: 26.3
Defense: 20 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.8

Wake Forest's 2025 Record
Record: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread: 4 - 2 - 0
Record at home: 2 - 2
Record vs Spread at home: 2 - 2 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Wake Forest000 Overs
SMU000 Unders

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

(#22) SMU at (#45) WAKE
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatSMUWAKE
Power RatePwr #22 #45
SP+SP+ #44 #65
Perf GradeGrade #35 #69
OffenseOff #35 #104
DefenseDef #21 #25
Spec TeamsST #78 #84
TalentTal #64 #35
Blue ChipsBC% #42 #65

SMU Notes
(9/20) Run Off bad, Jennings TOs & Def are major issues
(9/20) Def allowing 41.5 pts vs real competition, woof
(7/27) S Isaiah Nwokobia & Ahmaad Moses great duo
(6/14) Same HC, OC, DC, S&C coaches for 4 years
(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

Wake Forest Notes
(10/7) Great W over VT, Def held Hokies to 263 yds, 7-17 3rd
(9/11) Off fast start vs NC St, 2nd half went nowhere
(9/11) LBs are small, DL has to run fit well or busted
(9/11) Ashford 4 passes for 164, 32 others for 88 yds
(9/5) Def a bottom P5, Kenn St moved the ball
(8/30) Ashford decent #'s vs Kenn., but not an FBS QB
(8/24) QB1 Robby Ashford won starting job in camp
(7/31) HC Dickert good hire, but year 0, real bad
(7/30) OL 0/5 back. 5 portal starters added, all G5
(5/15) 89% of OL exp is from G5 portals
(5/15) 50% of DL exp is from G5 portals.
SMU on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
SMU OffWAKE Def
Perf GradePerf #35 #25
SuccessSuc #58 #9
ExplosiveExp #15 #44
PPAPPA #36 #15
PowerPwr #30 #13
SP+SP+ #29 #42
Pts POPPO #49 #27
HavocHav #99 #44
SMU Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
SMU OffWAKE Def
Run GameRun #124 #55
Run SuccessRSuc #94 #29
Run ExplRExp #43 #57
PPAExp #72 #33
Run BlockR Blk #31 -
OL YdsOLY #61 #41
Stuff RateStuff #71 #9
TackleTak -  #67
SMU Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
SMU OffWAKE Def
Pass GamePass #35 #25
Pass SuccessPSuc #30 #8
Pass ExplPExl #49 #62
PPAExp #23 #14
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #1 #22
F7 HavocF7 #98 #37
DB HavocDB #93 #47
Wake Forest on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatWAKE OffSMU Def
Perf GradePerf #104 #21
SuccessSuc #122 #59
ExplosiveExp #3 #58
PPAPPA #65 #18
PowerPwr #85 #20
SP+SP+ #78 #59
Pts POPPO #121 #3
HavocHav #48 #11
Wake Forest Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffSMU Def
Run GameRun #91 #16
Run SuccessRSuc #116 #32
Run ExplRExp #6 #28
PPAExp #56 #12
Run BlockR Blk #123 -
OL YdsOLY #114 #29
Stuff RateStuff #110 #8
TackleTak -  #23
Wake Forest Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatWAKE OffSMU Def
Pass GamePass #80 #47
Pass SuccessPSuc #114 #83
Pass ExplPExl #17 #52
PPAExp #77 #30
Pass Block/RushP Blk #38 #60
F7 HavocF7 #26 #51
DB HavocDB #74 #2
Program Comparison
WAKE 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'25 Profile: Remains Top G5

SMU 5 Year Profile: Declining Average P4
'25 Profile: Down to Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in BB&T Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
SMU's OC Casey Woods (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kevin Jennings13719172%16581568.7
Ty Hawkins11100%9009.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
TJ Harden (Tr)8541554.940
Chris Johnson Jr. (Tr)2822628.187
Dramekco Green185513.113
Derrick McFall123002.59
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Romello Brinson32484315.175
Jalen Cooper15271218.175
Jordan Hudson15203213.537
Yamir Knight (Tr)2119029.034

View SMU's Full Roster

SMU's DC Scott Symons (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Nwokobia482006
Ahmaad Moses444100
Brandon Booker331130
Cam Robertson318532
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cam Robertson318532
Jeffrey M'Ba (Tr)225400
Terry Webb (Tr)203301
Isaiah Smith227321
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Isaiah Nwokobia482006
Brandon Miyazono212105
Deuce Harmon190004

WAKE's OC Rob Ezell (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Robby Ashford (Tr)9115260%1172247.7
Deshawn Purdie (Tr)183551%326509.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Demond Claiborne6953987.885
Robby Ashford (Tr)5723344.141
Ty Clark III299113.113
Chris Barnes (Tr)84906.115
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Barnes (Tr)23410317.870
Sterling Berkhalter (Tr)13225117.351
Micah Mays Jr.10214121.452
Eni Falayi (Tr)12183115.342

View Wake Forest's Full Roster

WAKE's DC Scottie Hazelton (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Nick Andersen502003
Davaughn Patterson382014
Dylan Hazen345031
Langston Hardy (Tr)337550
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Langston Hardy (Tr)337550
Mateen Ibirogba143220
Jayden Loving (Tr)175230
Nuer Gatkuoth (Tr)254240
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Karon Prunty (Tr)140015
Lardarius Webb Jr. (Tr)171004
Davaughn Patterson382014