SMU vs. Louisiana Tech game preview, predictions

SMU Football opens the 2023 season on Saturday inside Gerald J. Ford Stadium against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at 11 a.m. CT. The matchup will be broadcasted by ESPNU as the Mustangs open Year 2 under Rhett Lashlee’s direction.

The Mustangs are 2-4 all-time against the Bulldogs, but did snap a three-game losing streak with a dramatic win in 2021. Reggie Roberson came down with a Hail Mary to beat the Bulldogs, 39-37.

As SMU goes into this game, the school is fresh off landing an invitation to the Atlantic Coast Conference, joining the league with Cal and Stanford.

Now onto the 2023 matchup between the Mustangs and Bulldogs…

SMU trends…

Last year, the Mustangs finished 7-6 and become bowl eligible for the fourth straight season. The Mustangs were a Top 15 scoring offense in Year 1 under Lashlee, who returned to the Hilltop as head coach in December 2021 after a two-year stint with Miami as offensive coordinator. SMU lost star wide receiver Rashee Rice, quarterback Tanner Mordecai, safety Nick Roberts and a trio of starters at linebacker off last year’s team.

Lashlee and his staff stockpiled talent this offseason via the transfer portal, bringing in 25 new faces from other programs. At quarterback though, the Mustangs will start a homegrown talent. Preston Stone takes over for Mordecai after the highly-touted prospect was the backup for two seasons. The Dallas native and SMU legacy has plenty of talent around him to be successful.

Running back Jaylan Knighton gets the start while fellow transfer LJ Johnson and returning leading rusher Tyler Lavine will factor in as well. In the pass game, SMU’s got numerous options including Jordan Kerley, Jake Bailey, Roderick Daniels, Moochie Dixon, Key’Shawn Smith and others. Toss in sophomore tight end RJ Maryland and the Mustangs have multiple weapons to keep things moving offensively.

Defensively, the Mustangs welcome seven new starters on defense. Charles Woods and Chris Megginson hold down the cornerback spots while Jonathan McGill moves into the safety room with Brandon Crossley and Bryan Massey. A plethora of linebackers will play and the only one solidified is Liberty transfer Ahmad Walker. Miami transfers Jordan Miller and Elijah Roberts join a revamped defensive line along with returners like Nelson Paul, Elijah Chatman and DeVere Levelston.

Overall, it’s a new-look SMU team that has high expectations entering the season. Game 1 serves as an opportunity to see how the pieces came together this offseason.

Louisiana Tech trends…

Louisiana Tech is coming off a 3-9 2022 season, but got off to the right start with a 22-17 win over Florida International in Week 0. It wasn’t pretty with the Bulldogs grabbing their first lead of the game with 61 seconds remaining. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier settled in well after a tough start to finish 34-of-44 for 333 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Wideout Smoke Harris dominated, catching 11 balls for 155 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, it’s the secondary that really stands out about the Bulldogs. Myles Heard and Brevin Randle each tallied a team-high nine tackles. Cecil Singleton Jr. registered his second career interception as a Bulldog.

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Quotable…

“The easiest way to keep them focused is to watch Louisiana Tech. Those dudes, they’re good. They went out there and just whipped that FIU team the other night. I mean, they gave up 4 passing yards. I’ve never even heard of that. They are a good defense and they are fast and they are physical. They’ve got great tradition and they’re a game in. Now all those those first game mistakes that we’re kind of jittery about, probably, protecting the ball and substitutions and staying onsides and getting the penalties and those sorts of things, they’ve kind of worked out, or at least as the old adage goes. That’ll help you focus real quick.” – SMU offensive coordinator Casey Woods.

“It works both ways. I think our guys from a first game nerves I think will be a little more calmer when it comes to settling in and playing a football game. We’re in the rhythm and the routine of playing in terms of our game week. This is our first game week in terms of playing on a short week. I think our guys love to play, they love to compete. I think from that standpoint, our kids still haven’t started school being on the quarter system. We want to use that to an advantage from a standpoint of our preparation and have our players have more time to study their opponent. They’re going to be a good team. They’re going to be ready to play, going to have first game excitement. Once you settle in, the execution for both teams is really going to be the difference in what allows one to win or lose.” -Louisiana Tech head coach Sonny Cumbie.

SMU must…

Stay focused. There’s a lot going on now. Power Five invite, a look ahead to Week 2 against Oklahoma, etc. That’s a lot to handle mentally for a team that’s got new faces and hasn’t suited up just yet. Play a clean, simple game and rely on the assembled talent to make enough plays to notch the win. That’s the recipe.

Predictions…

I like the Mustangs to win big here. I’m picking SMU, 45-20. I think Lashlee leans on the run game to make some big plays and tire out the Louisiana Tech defense. The deep running back room makes a statement Game 1. The defense looks to have improved in a big way. Mustangs come away with a comfortable win Week 1.