Syracuse at SMU - 2025 Matchup Preview
Syracuse logo Syracuse Orange at SMU MustangsSMU logo
Saturday, October 4th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
Gerald J. Ford Stadium - University Park, TX  (ACC)

 
Orange (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Fran Brown (9 - 3)
Avg Score : 34 - 29 (29 - 32 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.5 - 6.5 (#81)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 3) (Good: 3) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 2)
SMU coming off BYE
SYR is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: SMU -10.5   (SP+ SMU -12)
Projected Score: SYR: 26 - SMU: 36 (61)
SMU Win prob: 76% | Cover: 44%
SYR Travel: 1322 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Mustangs (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rhett Lashlee (29 - 12)
Avg Score : 37 - 22 (44 - 20 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#21)
'25 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 4)
 
Syracuse's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Syracuse vs Tennessee+12.555.5
Sat 9/6 Syracuse vs UConn-12
Fri 9/12 Syracuse vs Colgate-29
Sat 9/20 Syracuse at Clemson+22.5
Sat 9/27 Syracuse vs Duke-2.5
Sat 10/4 Syracuse at SMU+10.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Syracuse vs Pittsburgh-3.5
Sat 10/25 Syracuse at Georgia Tech+4
Fri 10/31 Syracuse vs North Carolina-6
Sat 11/8 Syracuse at Miami+17
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Syracuse at Notre Dame+23
Sat 11/29 Syracuse vs Boston College-5.5

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

Predictions for Syracuse's Schedule
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

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
SYR#28 (.25)48% (14)34.145% (57)2.88 (98)8750% (5)3354.23 (38)#107 (.23)43% (91)29.242% (58)45% (114)4.29 (112)55.31.21.1
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
 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
SYR0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
SMU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2024
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SYR Offense1334.12948.1%4.231.224422873353.137%62%45%50%16%.25
SMU Defense1422.120.336.7%3.091.6 - - - - - 44%55%39%35%18%.03
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SYR Defense1329.232.243.5%4.291.1 - - - - - 46%53%42%45%17%.23
SMU Offense1436.543.744.1%4.411.7234321692634.451%49%44%44%15%.24

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
Syracuse1331:0623.850%67%6.555.31.21.152129
SMU1428:2822.644%50%8.177.71.71.66.63.1331.1
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
SYR Offense1337% (130)45% (57)28.387.13.120 (67).07 (98)2.88 (98)78% (30)8% (30)0.81 (128)
SMU Defense1444% (9)39% (35) - - - - -.05 (2)2.72 (25)60% (10)11% (36)0.81 (6)
 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
SYR Defense1346% (23)42% (58) - - - - .12 (71)3.05 (77)82% (119)10% (54)1.1 (115)
SMU Offense1451% (65)44% (62)38.3168.94.429 (18).12 (77)2.97 (83)70% (90)9% (49)0.93 (86)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SYR Offense1362% (5)50% (5)28.443.4335.27.711.829 (12)12 (85).37 (18)1.5 (89)31% (58)38% (4).34 (70)8% (117)2 (83)
SMU Defense1455% (124)35% (10) - - - - - - 16 (10).11 (17)1.7 (107)37% (7)27% (21).16 (12)7% (30)2.1 (96)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SYR Defense1353% (111)45% (114) - - - - - - 9 (76).35 (113)1.5 (26)31% (87)33% (101).43 (113)7% (44)2.1 (76)
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)

Syracuse's Power Ratings
Syracuse's Power Rating: 9.34 #39
Syracuse's Offense Rating: 21.14 #29
Syracuse's Defense Rating: 11.80 #51
2025 Talent Rating: 852.00 #31
Blue Chip Ratio: 4% #55
Syracuse's 2025 Expected Record: 5.5 - 6.5
Syracuse's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.6 #56
Syracuse's Offense SP+ Rating: 30.7 #41
Syracuse's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.1 #76

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

Power Ratings Matchup
Syracuse: 9.34   SMU: 15.81

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Syracuse: 1.6   SMU: 13.1




SMU's Power Ratings
SMU's Power Rating: 15.81 #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


Syracuse Scoring
Offense: 34.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 29
Defense: 29.2 PPG
Defense on Road: 32.2

Syracuse'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 36
Syracuse 26

Projected Total Points: 61
SMU Scoring
Offense: 36.5 PPG
Offense at Home: 43.7
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 20.3

SMU'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
SMU000 Overs
Syracuse000 Unders

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

(#39) Syracuse Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 9.34 #39
Offense Rating: 21.14 #29
Defense Rating: 11.80 #51
Overall SP+ Rating: 1.6 #56
Offense SP+ Rating: 30.7 #41
Defense SP+ Rating: 29.1 #76
Talent Rating: 852.00 #31
Blue Chip Ratio: 4% #55
Expected Record: 5.5 - 6.5

Team Profile
Very Pass heavy Offense 62%, Run: 37%
Great Offense Success Rate of 48%
Great Offensive Explosiveness
Good in Scoring Position 4.23 PPO
Avg Run Success 45%
Great Pass Success 50%
Avg OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Avg Sacks/Turnovers
Poor Defense Success Rate of 43%
Awful in Scoring Position 4.29 PPO
Avg Run Def Success 42%
Awful Pass Def Success 45%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Poor Field Position


Syracuse Notes
(5/25) QB1? Angeli (ND) signed after spring vs Collins
(5/23) Cuse were 7-2 in 1 score games LY
(5/7) OL 2/5 back, Avg LY. 2 more have exp, Petry inj
(4/17) Fr OL Washington is 6'7, 380 lbs and can move.
(4/17) Top WR Pena in portal, big loss. Some depth
(4/8) QB Rickie Collins (So, LSU) named starter
(3/21) RB rebuild. Any ballers? On paper, not obv
(3/21) Def bad LY, returns a lot. DE/CB big needs
(3/21) HC Brown/staff great job in year 1
(3/21) Yr 2 much harder sched, less proven options
Syracuse     Ratings Matchup     SMU
Power #39
#23
Off #29
#38
Def #51
#20
Talent #31
#51
SP+ #56
#20
SP+ Off #41
#11
SP+ Def #76
#42

Weather Forecast
Playing in Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: SYR | SMU
Depth Chart: SYR | SMU
Rosters: SYR | SMU
(#23) SMU Info

Preseason ratings
Power Rating: 15.81 #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.


  
Syracuse's OC Jeff Nixon
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Steven Angeli243667%268307.4
Rickie Collins (Tr)55100%35007.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Yasin Willis3613013.626
Will Nixon197604.012
Dan Villari122912.47
Rickie Collins (Tr)41804.511
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Darrell Gill Jr.31562218.153
Umari Hatcher17273316.167
Justus Ross-Simmons9202222.455
Chris Long11163114.858

View Syracuse's Full Roster
Syracuse's DC Elijah Robinson
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Darian Chestnut604115
Devin Grant518223
Derek Mcdonald501020
Chris Thomas Jr. (Tr)444242
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
David Reese (Tr)228512
KingJoseph Edwards73310
Denis Jaquez Jr.223310
Devin Grant518223
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Darian Chestnut604115
Devin Grant518223
David Reese (Tr)228512

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