Previewing Syracuse football’s battle in Dallas vs. SMU
After a 38-3 loss to Duke, Syracuse will look to bounce back in a road contest against SMU, its first time battling the Mustangs as ACC foes. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
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Rickie Collins passed the accountability test in his first week as Syracuse’s starting quarterback. He sat stoically at the podium after Duke decimated the Orange 38-3 last Saturday and admitted he didn’t play up to SU’s quarterback standard. Collins quickly took action, requesting to meet with head coach Fran Brown later that night to review the tape from the loss.
“He had a couple mistakes, but I don’t think he struggled,” Brown said Monday.
While Collins’ numbers — 24-for-37 passing, 229 yards, no touchdowns and one interception — don’t reflect excellence, he wasn’t alone. As Brown himself said, the Blue Devils dominated the Orange in “every facet” of the game.
But when you replace a quarterback like Steve Angeli, who led the country in passing yards before suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in Week 4 against Clemson, scrutiny lies heavily on the backup. Collins’ chance to help right the ship comes this weekend on the road against SMU, the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference regular-season champions.
Here’s what to know before Syracuse (3-2, 1-1 ACC) squares off with SMU (2-2, 0-0 ACC) in Dallas Saturday afternoon:
All-time series
SMU leads 1-0.
Last time they played …
The Great Depression was still tearing through the United States the last time these two schools faced off. On Oct. 15, 1932, at Archbold Stadium in Syracuse, the Orange lost to the Mustangs 16-6 in their lone-ever matchup on the gridiron.
Led by third-year head coach Vic Hanson, SU finished the 1932 season 4-4-1. Syracuse cycled through 11 different head coaches between Hanson’s final year in 1936 and Brown’s first in 2024.
The Mustangs report
Under fourth-year head coach Rhett Lashlee, the Mustangs are off to a .500 start through four games in 2025. They’re 0-2 versus Power Four opponents, falling to Baylor and TCU — which included a double-overtime loss to the Bears. It’s been an underwhelming start after SMU lost in the ACC title game to Clemson last year and made the College Football Playoff.
It’s led by redshirt junior quarterback Kevin Jennings, a dynamic playmaker but a turnover-prone arm. Jennings tossed for over 3,000 yards and rushed for 354 yards, totaling 28 touchdowns last year in a full season as the Mustangs’ starter. He has nine touchdown throws this season. Though after throwing 11 picks last year, he’s on a worse pace in 2025 with five interceptions in four contests.
Jennings has a two-headed monster to spearhead SMU’s wide receiving corps: Romello Brinson and Jalen Cooper. Brinson (19 catches, 365 yards) and Cooper (13 catches, 243 yards) are each averaging over 18 yards per reception, presenting themselves as major vertical threats. The Mustangs boast a middle-of-the-road rushing attack, averaging 141.0 yards a game — tied for 88th in the FBS.
SMU’s defense, coached by coordinator Scott Symons, is better than advertised. Its Pro Football Focus defensive grade sits at 88.8, the fourth-best mark among ACC teams. It also boasts a 90.5 rushing defense grade and a formidable coverage grade of 84.8 (fourth in ACC). The Mustangs have two defensive linemen with 3.0 sacks, Cameron Robertson and Jeffrey M’ba, while junior cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson has tallied a team-high two interceptions.
How Syracuse beats SMU
Brown said the Orange need to give the rock to sophomore running back Yasin Willis if they want to play winning football. Willis only had 11 carries in SU’s lopsided loss to Duke. Brown felt that was unacceptable. And he’s right — for Syracuse to upset SMU as a two-score underdog, offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon needs to dial up tons of runs for Willis.
SU was quickly forced into being one-dimensional last week and paid the price. It closed the game on a streak of nine consecutive possessions without scoring. For Collins to find some more comfort in start No. 2, he’ll need to have a balance with Willis receiving plenty of touches. SMU’s 27 tackles for loss pose a threat to Syracuse’s run game, but Willis’ bruising playstyle is made for wearing out a team like the Mustangs.
On the other side, the Orange must rush the passer well. They’ve only brought down opposing quarterbacks seven times in five games and rank third-worst in the ACC with a 67.7 pass rushing grade, per PFF. Defensive ends David Reese and Denis Jaquez Jr. will need to set the edge on Saturday and wreak havoc in SMU’s backfield for SU to deliver an upset.
Stat to know: 90.0
Unfortunately for Syracuse, it’s facing one of the best offensive lines in the nation this week. According to PFF, SMU’s 90.0 pass blocking grade is the best figure in the country. The Mustangs are the only team in the FBS with a pass blocking grade of 90 or above.
Getting Jennings to throw off-platform will be paramount for SU’s chances at winning in Dallas on Saturday. But against an SMU line full of ferocious hogs, it’ll be tough sledding for the Orange’s front seven.
Player to watch: T.J. Harden, running back, No. 27
Syracuse gave up 235 rushing yards on 37 attempts against Duke. Over 160 of those were conceded to freshman running back Nate Sheppard. Its rush defense’s next task? Senior halfback T.J. Harden, who’s tallied 309 yards and five touchdowns so far this season.
The UCLA transfer is in his first year as SMU’s featured running back. His best performance came against Baylor on Sept. 6, accumulating 19 carries for 115 yards and three scores. With SU’s defense letting up 174 rushing yards per game — which ranks tied for 110th in the country — the Mustangs will probably hand it to Harden early and often.
