Syracuse at SMU - 2025 Matchup Preview
Syracuse logo Syracuse Orange at SMU MustangsSMU logo
Saturday, October 4th 2025 (3:30 PM EDT)
SMU -17.5 (56.5) (-750)  Open: -16.5
SMU 31 - Syracuse: 18  (ACC)

 
Orange (3 - 3) (3 - 2 - 1)
Coach Fran Brown (9 - 3)
Avg Score : 29 - 30 (26 - 26 on Road)
Record Prediction: 4.5 - 7.5 (#108)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 1)
Future: (Elite: 2) (Good: 0) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 1)
SMU coming off BYE
SYR is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: SMU -21  (SP+ SMU -9)

Projected Score: SYR: 19 - SMU: 40 (58)
SMU Win prob: 89% | Cover: 51%
SYR Travel: 1322 miles, 1 hrs ahead
Mustangs (4 - 2) (1 - 5 - 0)
Coach Rhett Lashlee (29 - 12)
Avg Score : 34 - 22 (38 - 22 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.8 - 4.2 (#45)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 1) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 1) (Good: 1) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
 
Syracuse's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 Syracuse vs Tennessee+13.553.5L 26 - 45ON
Sat 9/6 Syracuse vs UConn-7.057.5W 27 - 20UN
Fri 9/12 Syracuse vs Colgate-37.564.5W 66 - 24OY
Sat 9/20 Syracuse at Clemson+17.553.5W 34 - 21OY
Sat 9/27 Syracuse vs Duke+4.059.5L 3 - 38UN
Sat 10/4 Syracuse at SMU+17.556.5L 18 - 31UY
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Syracuse vs Pittsburgh+9.554.5
Sat 10/25 Syracuse at Georgia Tech+21
Fri 10/31 Syracuse vs North Carolina-6
Sat 11/8 Syracuse at Miami+31
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 Syracuse at Notre Dame+30.5
Sat 11/29 Syracuse vs Boston College-3

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg 6, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 0, Avg 4, Bad 1, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 1, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 1

Predictions for Syracuse's Schedule
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: 2, Avg 4, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg 1, Bad 0, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 1, Avg 3, Bad 3, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 1, Avg: 1, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for SMU'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
SYR#92 (.16)43% (77)2945% (61)2.56 (119)11241% (82)3213.95 (71)#126 (.27)47% (120)29.845% (106)48% (122)4 (80)48.721.2
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
 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)45% (57)2.88 (98)8750% (5)3354.23 (38)#107 (.23)43% (91)42% (58)45% (114)4.29 (112)55.31.21.1
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



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SYR Offense6292642.7%3.952244331123213.343%57%45%41%19%.16
SMU Defense622.322.340.6%2.382.3 - - - - - 41%58%38%43%21%.04
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SYR Defense629.82646.7%41.2 - - - - - 40%60%45%48%14%.27
SMU Offense6343844.1%4.321.522405127278446%53%41%47%17%.27

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
Syracuse629:4123.537%53%5.248.721.24.81.2029
SMU626:1921.538%75%767.81.52.36.73.2328.2
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 Offense643% (113)45% (61)34112.33.39 (77).03 (111)2.56 (119)66% (101)8% (47)0.76 (130)
SMU Defense641% (7)38% (32) - - - - -.06 (12)2.58 (29)59% (15)11% (51)0.86 (28)
 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 Defense640% (4)45% (106) - - - - .15 (100)2.81 (57)57% (7)7% (124)1.08 (109)
SMU Offense646% (101)41% (94)31.5127.249 (77).12 (72)3.03 (61)84% (13)10% (98)1.04 (43)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SYR Offense657% (22)41% (82)2541.8320.77.712.813 (27)7 (119).26 (78)1.6 (44)30% (47)33% (55).47 (33)11% (136)2.2 (17)
SMU Defense658% (130)43% (83) - - - - - - 10 (5).11 (30)1.5 (52)35% (28)32% (98).23 (48)11% (2)2 (64)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SYR Defense660% (133)48% (122) - - - - - - 4 (62).37 (118)1.4 (17)31% (95)30% (77).43 (116)6% (58)2.2 (106)
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)

Syracuse's Power Ratings
Syracuse's Power Rating: -3.59  #88
Syracuse's Offense Rating: 10.82  #70
Syracuse's Defense Rating: 14.41  #99
2025 Talent Rating: 838.00  #43
Blue Chip Ratio: 6%  #49
Syracuse's 2025 Expected Record: 4.5 - 7.5
Syracuse's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: -0.6  #74
Syracuse's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.6  #64
Syracuse's Defense SP+ Rating: 29.3  #87

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

Power Ratings Matchup
Syracuse: -3.59   SMU: 18.805

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Syracuse: -0.6   SMU: 8.8




SMU's Power Ratings
SMU's Power Rating: 18.805  #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


Syracuse Scoring
Offense: 29 PPG
Offense on Road: 26
Defense: 29.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 26

Syracuse's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 3
Record vs Spread: 3 - 2 - 1
Record on Road: 1 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 2 - 0 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Dog vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
SMU 40
Syracuse 19


Total Points: 58

Based on Last 4 Games
SMU 31
Syracuse 31

Total Points: 62

Based on Entire Season
SMU 32
Syracuse 25

Total Points: 57
SMU Scoring
Offense: 34 PPG
Offense at Home: 38
Defense: 22.3 PPG
Defense at Home: 22.3

SMU's 2025 Record
Record: 4 - 2
Record vs Spread: 1 - 5 - 0
Record at home: 3 - 1
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 3 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 1 - 4 - 0
Record as Home Fav vs Spread: 1 - 3 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202510/04SMU31Syracuse18SMU -17.5Syracuse56.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
SMU100 Overs
Syracuse011 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 11 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#88) SYR at (#22) SMU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatSYRSMU
Power RatePwr #88 #22
SP+SP+ #74 #44
Perf GradeGrade #86 #35
OffenseOff #61 #35
DefenseDef #111 #21
Spec TeamsST #75 #78
TalentTal #43 #64
Blue ChipsBC% #49 #42

Syracuse Notes
(9/21) QB1 Angeli out for season (Achilles)
(9/20) Off torched Clemson, Def played well. Huge Win
(9/20) Can't say enough about HC Brown, great job
(8/30) Def torched by Vols, Angeli Ok, run game bad
(8/18) QB1 Steve Angeli (ND) wins starting job
(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

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
Syracuse on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
SYR OffSMU Def
Perf GradePerf #61 #21
SuccessSuc #77 #59
ExplosiveExp #79 #58
PPAPPA #92 #18
PowerPwr #70 #20
SP+SP+ #64 #59
Pts POPPO #71 #3
HavocHav #125 #11
Syracuse Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
SYR OffSMU Def
Run GameRun #114 #16
Run SuccessRSuc #61 #32
Run ExplRExp #130 #28
PPAExp #111 #12
Run BlockR Blk #63 -
OL YdsOLY #119 #29
Stuff RateStuff #75 #8
TackleTak -  #23
Syracuse Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
SYR OffSMU Def
Pass GamePass #58 #47
Pass SuccessPSuc #82 #83
Pass ExplPExl #44 #52
PPAExp #78 #30
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk #101 #60
F7 HavocF7 #47 #51
DB HavocDB #136 #2
SMU on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 46%
CategoryCatSMU OffSYR Def
Perf GradePerf #35 #111
SuccessSuc #58 #120
ExplosiveExp #15 #77
PPAPPA #36 #126
PowerPwr #30 #99
SP+SP+ #29 #87
Pts POPPO #49 #80
HavocHav #99 #117
SMU Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
SMU OffSYR Def
Run GameRun #124 #130
Run SuccessRSuc #94 #106
Run ExplRExp #43 #109
PPAExp #72 #100
Run BlockR Blk #31 -
OL YdsOLY #61 #57
Stuff RateStuff #71 #24
TackleTak -  #43
SMU Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 53%, Run: 46%
CategoryCatSMU OffSYR Def
Pass GamePass #35 #74
Pass SuccessPSuc #30 #122
Pass ExplPExl #49 #17
PPAExp #23 #118
Pass Block/RushP Blk #1 #102
F7 HavocF7 #98 #124
DB HavocDB #93 #58
Program Comparison
SMU 5 Year Profile: Declining Average P4
'25 Profile: Down to Below Avg P4

SYR 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'25 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Gerald J. Ford Stadium
Conditions: Clear
Temp: 88° - Wind: 7 mph
Rematch from Week 6
SMU -17.5 (56.5)
SMU won vs Syracuse this year (31-18)

No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
SYR's OC Jeff Nixon (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Steven Angeli9715563%13171028.5
Rickie Collins (Tr)539655%607356.3
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Yasin Willis7833744.335
Will Nixon5421023.928
Rickie Collins (Tr)216012.922
Jaden Hart103303.39
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Johntay Cook II (Tr)33400212.159
Darrell Gill Jr.17342320.143
Dan Villari27311011.526
Justus Ross-Simmons18294516.353

View Syracuse's Full Roster

SYR's DC Elijah Robinson (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Gary Bryant III (Tr)322010
Antoine Deslauriers252102
Demetres Samuel Jr.250006
Braheem Long Jr.252202
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Braheem Long Jr.252202
Jamie Tremble62200
Antoine Deslauriers252102
Denis Jaquez Jr.164120
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Demetres Samuel Jr.250006
Dion Wilson Jr.91012
Braheem Long Jr.252202

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