SMU is hoping to maintain its hopes of winning the Atlantic Coast Conference title when it welcomes Louisville to Dallas on Saturday.

The Mustangs (7-3 and 5-1 ACC), are one of only four teams in the conference with a single loss. Coach Rhett Lashinglee's team must beat the Cardinals (7-3 and 4-3) on Saturday and then defeat Cal at home next weekend in order to return to Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 6.

Lashlee stated Tuesday that his team could only control the situation in front of it, which meant taking care of their business against a losing team who has lost three of its games by an average of seven points.

He said, "We have a chance." "That's the best you can do as a rival."

SMU's second off-week of the season occurred last weekend. The Mustangs' last game was a 45-13 win over Boston College, on November 8, when they amassed 574 yards in offense. This is a new season high. Kevin Jennings, the Mustangs' junior quarterback, completed only 16 of 32 passes but he threw 325 yards. All three of Jennings' touchdown passes were longer than 25 yards.

Louisville has one of the best defenses in conference. They allow the second-fewest yards per game, at 297.9. Last Friday, the Cardinals lost 20-19 to Clemson at home. They allowed just 308 yards per game.

Coach Jeff Brohm’s team missed two field goals in the last minutes that could have kept them in contention for the conference championship game. The team also missed an extra point and had 10 penalties, as well as a costly sack prior to one of their field-goal attempts.

The issue of turnovers has also arisen. Louisville has given up the ball 15 times. This is tied for 94th place among FBS teams. The Cardinals, who are tied for 39th in the nation with their scoring defense (21.5 points per game), have allowed 70 of those points to come from turnovers. Clemson scored a touchdown last week after a fumble was lost deep within their own territory.

Brohm told reporters on Monday that you should try to keep the field as clean as possible. You have to deal with it, and try to improve the next time.

Field Level Media

(source: Reuters)