Overview
- Miami enters 6-1 (2-1 ACC) and SMU 5-3 (3-1), with both teams needing a win to stay in the ACC title race as Miami also pursues a College Football Playoff berth.
- The Hurricanes boast a top-10 defense nationally, ranking eighth in scoring defense and ninth against the run while allowing 14.1 points per game.
- SMU is coming off a 13-12 loss at Wake Forest that coach Rhett Lashlee called the program’s worst offensive performance under him, with three turnovers and 246 total yards.
- A key matchup features Miami’s passing attack against an SMU secondary ranked near the bottom of FBS at 303.5 passing yards allowed per game, with QB Carson Beck at 1,673 yards, 12 TDs and 7 INTs.
- Familiarity runs deep as SMU is led by former Miami offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee and includes ex-Hurricanes such as Romello Brinson and former Miami starter Tyler Van Dyke, now backing up Kevin Jennings, who leads the ACC with 17 TD passes.