Week 1: North Texas vs SMU 9/3/22 College Football Picks, Predictions, Odds

The North Texas Mean Green and SMU Mustangs do battle Saturday in week 1 college football action from Apogee Stadium. SMU managed to go 8-4 overall last year, but had a tepid 4-4 record in AAC games. As for the Mean Green, they kicked off their season with a matchup versus UTEP over the weekend. In that one, North Texas took an 18-point win. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

SMU had their ups and downs in 2021, ultimately going 8-4 overall and 4-4 in the AAC schedule. That result left the Mustangs in sixth place in the conference standings, behind Cincinnati, Houston, UCF, East Carolina and Tulsa. 

The Mustangs kicked off the season on a nice run with seven straight wins. The wheels fell off late however, and SMU lost four of their final five games. They were originally slated to face Virginia in the Fenway Bowl, but that game was cancelled due to virus issues. 

Over on the North Texas side, they had a spotty season as well in 2021, ultimately finishing 6-7 overall and 5-3 in the Conference USA games. The Mean Green landed in third place in the West Division with that mark, right behind UTSA and UAB. 

In the opener matchup versus UTEP, North Texas scored 14 points in both the second and third quarters during a 31-13 win. Austin Aune threw for 236 yards and three scores, while Ayo Adeyi rushed for 80 yards on 17 carries. Roderic Burns posted three catches for 72 yards as well. 

The Mustangs are 5-1 ATS in their last six non-conference games and 22-7 ATS in their last 29 in September. SMU is 8-21 in their last 29 road games. 

Meanwhile, the Green are 5-0 ATS in their last five on turf and 6-1 ATS in their last seven overall. North Texas is 0-4 ATS in their last four versus the AAC. 

PICK: I’m probably going with SMU here. New head coach Rhett Lashlee and his staff have their work cut out for them, but if all goes well the Mustangs are certainly capable of making some noise in the conference this year. Three of the team’s top four targets (Danny Gray, Reggie Roberson and Grant Calcaterra) are gone, so we’ll be seeing some new faces in the fray along with No. 1 receiver Rashee Rice. SMU should throw the ball often, and if the running game can tag along with average numbers the team will win games. I think it’ll all start here with a cover. That said, North Texas looked pretty good against UTEP with their 24 first downs and 5.7 yards per play on Saturday. You wouldn’t be crazy for jumping on the Mean Green bandwagon.