SMU at Notre Dame - 2026 Matchup Preview
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SMU Mustangs at Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame logo
Saturday, November 21st 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Notre Dame Stadium - Notre Dame, IN

 
Mustangs (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rhett Lashlee (38 - 17)
Avg Score : 32 - 21 (30 - 22 on Road)
Record Prediction: 9 - 3 (#14)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 4) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 5)
ND 4th straight Home Game
ND is playing their 4th straight game
SMU is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: Notre Dame -15.5  (SP+ ND -11)
Projected Score: SMU: 20 - ND: 36 (56)
ND Win prob: 86% | Cover: 55%
SMU Travel: 842 miles, 1 hrs behind
Fighting Irish (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Marcus Freeman (43 - 12)
Avg Score : 42 - 18 (45 - 18 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 11.2 - 0.8 (#2)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 2) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 9)
 
SMU's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Mon 9/7 SMU at Florida State-3.5
Sat 9/12 SMU vs UC Davis-37.5
Sat 9/19 SMU at Louisville+1
Sat 9/26 SMU vs Missouri State-26
Sat 10/3 SMU vs Boston College-19.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 SMU vs Virginia-5.5
Fri 10/23 SMU vs California-13.5
Fri 10/30 SMU at Syracuse-16.5
Fri 11/6 SMU vs Virginia Tech-17
Sat 11/14 SMU vs Wake Forest-9
Sat 11/21 SMU at Notre Dame+15.5
Sat 11/28 SMU at Stanford-16.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 2, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 2, 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 SMU's Schedule
Notre Dame's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sun 9/6 Notre Dame vs Wisconsin-24.5
Sat 9/12 Notre Dame vs Rice-43
Sat 9/19 Notre Dame vs Michigan State-29.5
Sat 9/26 Notre Dame at Purdue-27
Sat 10/3 Notre Dame at North Carolina-25
Sat 10/10 Notre Dame vs Stanford-34
Sat 10/17 Notre Dame at BYU-7
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Notre Dame vs Navy-29
Sat 11/7 Notre Dame vs Miami-5
Sat 11/14 Notre Dame vs Boston College-32
Sat 11/21 Notre Dame vs SMU-15.5
Sat 11/28 Notre Dame at Syracuse-29

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 6, Poor 3
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 2, Avg 0, Bad 6, 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 Notre Dame'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#30 (.23)43% (64)32.242% (93)2.9 (75)13444% (39)2833.89 (53)#9 (.03)40% (52)20.538% (18)43% (90)2.79 (12)70.81.52.2
ND#4 (.36)49% (10)4247% (25)3.05 (50)20451% (6)2554.79 (6)#12 (.04)36% (13)17.638% (20)36% (16)2.58 (6)53.10.81.9
 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
ND0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SMU Offense1332.229.842.6%3.891.5214171342834.443%55%42%44%17%.23
ND Defense1217.61836.4%2.581.9 - - - - - 43%56%38%36%18%.04
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
SMU Defense1320.522.240.2%2.792.2 - - - - - 43%55%38%43%19%.03
ND Offense124244.749%4.790.8234602042555.953%45%47%51%13%.36

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
SMU1326:5220.741%67%770.81.52.26.32.8327.6
Notre Dame1229:1722.548%55%5.553.10.81.95.82.8732.5
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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 Offense1343% (119)42% (93)30.8133.94.425 (70).11 (70)2.9 (75)79% (19)10% (74)1 (56)
ND Defense1243% (7)38% (20) - - - - .04 (37)2.74 (39)71% (66)9% (77)0.89 (32)
 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 Defense1343% (8)38% (18) - - - - -.08 (5)2.76 (46)59% (8)10% (45)0.78 (4)
ND Offense1253% (38)47% (25)34.8204.45.938 (11).25 (11)3.05 (50)62% (122)8% (36)1.16 (8)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SMU Offense1355% (20)44% (39)23.535.4283.1812.126 (14)13 (108).4 (23)1.6 (37)32% (72)32% (47).39 (37)7% (114)2.1 (34)
ND Defense1256% (133)36% (16) - - - - - - 21 (1).09 (8)1.6 (93)36% (9)26% (24).17 (17)9% (3)2.1 (84)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
SMU Defense1355% (130)43% (90) - - - - - - 18 (6).19 (42)1.5 (32)32% (57)33% (109).29 (68)8% (7)1.9 (44)
ND Offense1245% (95)51% (6)18.126.8255.19.514.125 (33)6 (34).45 (10)1.7 (25)29% (37)44% (2).65 (3)5% (35)2 (65)

SMU's Power Ratings
SMU's Power Rating: 14.62  #24
SMU's Offense Rating: 19.68  #24
SMU's Defense Rating: 10.06  #33
2026 Talent Rating: 780.00  #64
Blue Chip Ratio: 15%  #27
SMU's 2026 Expected Record: 9.0 - 3.0
SMU's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 13.4  #23
SMU's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.2  #22
SMU's Defense SP+ Rating: 19.5  #25

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
SMU: 14.62   Notre Dame: 29.275

SP+ Ratings Matchup
SMU: 13.4   Notre Dame: 24.4




Notre Dame's Power Ratings
Notre Dame's Power Rating: 29.275  #3
Notre Dame's Offense Rating: 31.70  #3
Notre Dame's Defense Rating: -4.05  #2
2026 Talent Rating: 1190.00  #2
Blue Chip Ratio: 67  #2
Notre Dame's 2026 Expected Record: 11.2 - 0.8
Notre Dame's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 24.4  #5
Notre Dame's Offense SP+ Rating: 40.0  #4
Notre Dame's Defense SP+ Rating: 16.3  #13

Average Talent
Average FBS Independents Talent Rating is 934
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9


SMU Scoring
Offense: 32.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 29.8
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 22.2

SMU's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Notre Dame 36
SMU 20

Projected Total Points: 56
Notre Dame Scoring
Offense: 42 PPG
Offense at Home: 44.7
Defense: 17.6 PPG
Defense at Home: 18

Notre Dame's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Notre Dame000 Overs
SMU000 Unders

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

(#24) SMU at (#3) ND
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatSMUND
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #24 #3
SP+SP+ #23 #5
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #64 #2
Blue ChipsBC% #27 #2
SMU Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Very high, love P4/ACC, good staff & NIL
(2/13) New DC Crum 1st time PC (Prev DC -> Cowboys)
(2/7) QB Jennings a good one, but must cut TOs
(2/3) HC Lashlee underrated, OC is new play caller
(2/3) RB Raphael (Cal) a big sign, have depth options
(2/3) WR have 3 good frontline starters, depth unproven
(2/3) OL is strong, 3 good starters back w depth.
(2/3) DL complete rebuild w 4 portals but has options
(2/3) LB strong unit, 3 top perf starters w/ good depth
(2/3) CBs have good 4 rotation, S lacks exp but has parts
(2/3) Get thru early slate & poss huge shot @ ND in Nov
SMU Injury Report
Notre Dame Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Highest, dominant Def, primed for CFP run
(2/10) 16 starters back, 2nd in CFB, 8 exp'd depth too
(2/2) Hired Ill DC Henry as DB/CoDC to replace Mickens
(1/29) DEs talented but need more, DT portals big adds
(1/29) Def is loaded, LB & Secondary both top CFB units
(1/29) OL great pieces, expecting a lot. RBs inexp'd
(1/28) ? at skill but loaded w talent. Portal WR's help
(1/28) QB Carr primed for big season. Will lead Offense
(1/25) Freeman, Denbrock, QB Carr all back. Big year.
Notre Dame Injury Report
SMU on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
SMU OffND Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #64 #13
ExplosiveExp #15 #85
PPAPPA #30 #12
PowerPwr #24 #2
SP+SP+ #22 #13
Pts POPPO #53 #6
HavocHav #99 #19
SMU Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
SMU OffND Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #93 #20
Run ExplRExp #56 #32
PPAExp #70 #37
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #75 #39
Stuff RateStuff #82 #74
TackleTak - NR
SMU Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
SMU OffND Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #39 #16
Pass ExplPExl #37 #93
PPAExp #23 #8
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #74 #77
DB HavocDB #114 #3
Notre Dame on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatND OffSMU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #10 #52
ExplosiveExp #3 #27
PPAPPA #4 #9
PowerPwr #3 #33
SP+SP+ #4 #25
Pts POPPO #6 #12
HavocHav #36 #15
Notre Dame Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
ND OffSMU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #25 #18
Run ExplRExp #8 #4
PPAExp #11 #5
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #50 #46
Stuff RateStuff #101 #23
TackleTak - NR
Notre Dame Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 45%, Run: 53%
CategoryCatND OffSMU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #6 #90
Pass ExplPExl #25 #32
PPAExp #10 #42
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #36 #45
DB HavocDB #35 #7
Program Comparison
ND 5 Year Profile: Consistent Title Contenders
'26 Profile: Up to CFB Elites

SMU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top 25 Contenders
'26 Profile: Remains Top 25 Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in Notre Dame Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
SMU's OC Rob Likens (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Kevin Jennings30045466%364126138.0
Ty Hawkins11100%9009.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kendrick Raphael (Tr)233952134.133
Derrick McFall3518945.448
Dramekco Green259013.615
Kevin Jennings705440.826
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Yamir Knight54637511.861
Yannick Smith (Tr)44583513.359
Jalen Cooper19321216.975
Kendrick Raphael (Tr)3424517.242

View SMU's Full Roster

SMU's DC Maurice Crum Jr (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brandon Booker693142
Jimmy Wyrick621008
Alex Kilgore604002
Jarvis Lee Jr.5512442
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Marques White (Tr)4311531
Jarvis Lee Jr.5512442
Ira Singleton (Tr)173360
Brandon Miyazono445208
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Brandon Miyazono445208
Jimmy Wyrick621008
Marcellus Barnes Jr.322006

ND's OC Mike Denbrock (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
C.J. Carr19529367%27412469.4
Jordan Faison11100%400040.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Aneyas Williams2422459.354
Nolan James Jr.143702.615
C.J. Carr413330.828
Jordan Faison1-80-8.00
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Faison49640413.154
Micah Gilbert993110.326
Mylan Graham (Tr)693015.523
Luke Talich184184.084

View Notre Dame's Full Roster

ND's DC Chris Ash (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Drayk Bowen675423
Adon Shuler522125
Jaiden Ausberry514250
Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa488352
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Boubacar Traore3710780
Drayk Bowen675423
Jaylen Sneed355330
Keon Keeley (Tr)133311
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Christian Gray1810010
Leonard Moore310007
Adon Shuler522125