SMU at Stanford - 2026 Matchup Preview
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SMU Mustangs at Stanford Cardinal

Stanford logo
Saturday, November 28th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Stanford Stadium - Stanford, CA  (ACC)

 
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)
SMU 2nd straight Road Game
SMU is playing their 7th straight game
Our Line: SMU -16.5  (SP+ SMU -25)

Projected Score: SMU: 34 - STAN: 17 (51)
SMU Win prob: 90% | Cover: 54%
SMU Travel: 1464 miles, 2 hrs ahead
Cardinal (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tavita Pritchard (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 19 - 29 (25 - 26 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3 - 9 (#88)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 5) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 2)
 
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
Stanford's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29 Stanford vs Hawai'i+1
Fri 9/4 Stanford vs Miami+26.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/19 Stanford at Duke+14.5
Sat 9/26 Stanford vs Georgia Tech+11
Sat 10/3 Stanford at Wake Forest+15
Sat 10/10 Stanford at Notre Dame+34
Sat 10/17 Stanford vs Elon-18.5
Fri 10/23 Stanford vs NC State+10.5
Sat 10/31 Stanford at Louisville+20
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/14 Stanford at Virginia Tech+7
Sat 11/21 Stanford at California+10.5
Sat 11/28 Stanford vs SMU+16.5

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Stanford'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
STAN#120 (.06)36% (127)18.837% (126)2.63 (121)8637% (117)2223.02 (122)#73 (.17)42% (80)29.242% (70)43% (84)3.46 (51)54.11.41.1
 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
STAN0%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
STAN Defense1229.22642.5%3.461.1 - - - - - 42%57%42%43%15%.17
 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
STAN Offense1218.825.236.3%3.021.417308862222.646%51%37%37%17%.06

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
Stanford1229:4917.438%58%654.11.41.14.91.9125.4
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)
STAN Defense1242% (2)42% (70) - - - - -.02 (11)2.88 (69)74% (89)9% (99)0.88 (25)
 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)
STAN Offense1246% (99)37% (126)32.385.52.68 (119)-.03 (131)2.63 (121)82% (6)10% (84)0.75 (134)

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)
STAN Defense1257% (135)43% (84) - - - - - - 3 (132).34 (110)1.6 (84)33% (39)34% (117).35 (95)6% (73)2 (48)
 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)
STAN Offense1251% (46)37% (117)18.732.62226.811.914 (106)12 (60).2 (98)1.5 (65)33% (92)25% (123).19 (113)7% (117)2 (82)

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   Stanford: -2.275

SP+ Ratings Matchup
SMU: 13.4   Stanford: -11.8




Stanford's Power Ratings
Stanford's Power Rating: -2.275  #71
Stanford's Offense Rating: 9.32  #93
Stanford's Defense Rating: 12.07  #43
2026 Talent Rating: 894.00  #36
Blue Chip Ratio: 10  #39
Stanford's 2026 Expected Record: 3.0 - 9.0
Stanford's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -11.8  #112
Stanford's Offense SP+ Rating: 18.4  #117
Stanford's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.6  #78

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 905.41
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
SMU 34
Stanford 17


Projected Total Points: 51
Stanford Scoring
Offense: 18.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 25.2
Defense: 29.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 26

Stanford'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
202510/11SMU34Stanford10SMU -19.5SMU55.5Under
202410/19Stanford10SMU40SMU -16.5SMU52.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Stanford000 Overs
SMU222 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 11 - 11 - 00 - 1
Road Teams1 - 11 - 11 - 00 - 1

(#24) SMU at (#71) STAN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatSMUSTAN
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #24 #71
SP+SP+ #23 #112
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #64 #36
Blue ChipsBC% #27 #39
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
Stanford Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Low, love GM Luck but no NIL/portals
(2/24) HC Pritchard was OC w Shaw when era fell off
(2/7) Def should improve, but this Offense is ass
(2/6) OC Heffernan (UVA OL) 1st time calling plays
(2/6) Who is QB? Rizk (UCF), Warren (UM) have exp
(2/6) RB Ford back, huge retain. Depth has some talent
(2/6) WR not great. Can Nico Brown (Yale) boost unit?
(2/6) OL a disaster LY. Most back, can they improve?
(2/6) Front 7 has some nice parts, LB Rose a great one
(2/6) Secondary should improve, decent CB duo
Stanford Injury Report
SMU on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
SMU OffSTAN Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #64 #80
ExplosiveExp #15 #94
PPAPPA #30 #73
PowerPwr #24 #43
SP+SP+ #22 #78
Pts POPPO #53 #51
HavocHav #99 #94
SMU Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
SMU OffSTAN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #93 #70
Run ExplRExp #56 #25
PPAExp #70 #11
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #75 #69
Stuff RateStuff #82 #90
TackleTak - NR
SMU Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 56%, Run: 42%
CategoryCat
SMU OffSTAN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #39 #84
Pass ExplPExl #37 #84
PPAExp #23 #110
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #74 #99
DB HavocDB #114 #73
Stanford on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 46%
CategoryCatSTAN OffSMU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #127 #52
ExplosiveExp #103 #27
PPAPPA #120 #9
PowerPwr #93 #33
SP+SP+ #117 #25
Pts POPPO #122 #12
HavocHav #105 #15
Stanford Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 46%
CategoryCat
STAN OffSMU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #126 #18
Run ExplRExp #134 #4
PPAExp #131 #5
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #121 #46
Stuff RateStuff #63 #23
TackleTak - NR
Stanford Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 51%, Run: 46%
CategoryCatSTAN OffSMU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #117 #90
Pass ExplPExl #65 #32
PPAExp #98 #42
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #84 #45
DB HavocDB #117 #7
Program Comparison
STAN 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg G5
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg G5

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

Weather Forecast
Playing in Stanford Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
SMU beat Stanford last year (34-10)
SMU beat Stanford in 2024 (40-10)

  
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

STAN's OC Terry Heffernan (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Charlie Mirer2367%22107.3
Micah Ford010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Micah Ford14564344.475
Sedrick Irvin4111812.915
Tuna Altahir155503.79
Caleb Hampton112902.68
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nico Brown (Tr)7110851115.364
Caden High37414111.234
Micah Ford11119010.854
Benjamin Blackburn9109112.126

View Stanford's Full Roster

STAN's DC Kris Richard (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matt Rose1068333
Scotty Edwards544311
Jahsiah Galvan502012
Jaivion Green383016
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Matt Rose1068333
Ernest Cooper235301
Scotty Edwards544311
Zach Johnson283221
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaivion Green383016
Brandon Nicholson271106
Matt Rose1068333