Baylor vs. SMU prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins Saturday’s game between the Bears and Mustangs at McLane Stadium.
Baylor vs. SMU Game Preview
When: Saturday, Sept. 10 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: McLane Stadium, Waco, Texas
Broadcast: Fox Sports 1
Seth Russell didn’t show any signs of a quarterback coming off a neck injury. Baylor’s senior signal caller came back strong, throwing four touchdown passes on only 20 attempts in last weekend’s 55-7 rout of Northwestern State. Now he gets to face a team that gave up three touchdowns through the air last week.
SMU was able to pull away for a 34-21 win over North Texas in a matchup of two teams that aren’t expected to be very good. The Mustangs head into this matchup battling injuries, including to their starting quarterback.
What To Know About Baylor
Running back Shock Linwood has a chance to make some history. After rushing for 97 yards last week, Linwood needs 107 to pass Baylor’s all-time leading rusher Walter Abercrombie, who ran for 3,665 yards from 1978-81. That should be about the only suspense in this game.
What to Know About SMU
Second-year coach Chad Morris previously served as offensive coordinator for Clemson, and Baylor interim head coach Jim Grobe is familiar with his scheme from when he was at Wake Forest. The Mustangs finished with 572 yards of offense against North Texas, but that type of performance shouldn’t be expected this week. Quarterback Matt Davis is a game-time decision because of a knee injury. Ben Hicks likely will get the start if Davis can’t go.
Advantages
Offense: Baylor – Russell and Linwood are in for big days.
Defense: Baylor – The Bears shouldn’t have much trouble slowing down SMU, especially if Davis is out.
Special Teams: Baylor – Kicker Chris Callahan should get plenty of work from extra-point duty.
Coaching: Even – Once Morris begins getting his own players in at SMU, it will improve.
Intangibles: Baylor – The Bears have won the last two meetings by a combined score of 102-21.
Matchup To Watch
Linwood vs. History
It’ll be interesting to see if the Bears go to him early to try and get the record. If they do, Linwood could have it wrapped up by halftime.
Baylor vs. SMU Betting Odds
Spread:Baylor -32
Over/Under: 76
Baylor vs. SMU Prediction
Russell throws five touchdowns and this one is decided after one quarter.
