The SMU Mustangs and the Boston College Eagles meet Thursday in Fenway Bowl college football action from Fenway Park. SMU is sitting on a nine-game win streak at 11-2 overall and atop the American standings. The Mustangs last beat Tulane by 12 points in the AAC Championship. As for Boston College, they’re just .500 through 12 games this year. The Eagles have lost three straight, most recently to Miami. Let’s get into our SMU vs. Boston College prediction. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.
SMU Mustangs
The Mustangs didn’t start out the year very well at 2-2, taking losses to Oklahoma and TCU along the way. SMU has since won nine straight games though, culminating in a victory over Tulane on December 2. This year the Mustangs average 40.2 points per game. Via the pass, SMU has posted 285.1 yards per game, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
In their latest win over Tulane to kick off the month, SMU posted points in every quarter on the way to a 26-14 outcome. Mustangs QB Kevin Jennings threw for 203 yards with one TD and two interceptions, while Jaylan Knighton added 75 yards and a TD rushing. Tops in receiving was RJ Maryland with five catches for 56 yards.
SMU Mustangs Team Facts
- SMU has won each of its last nine games.
- SMU has covered the spread in each of its last five matches when playing with a rest disadvantage.
- Five of SMU’s last six games against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Boston College Eagles
Over on the Eagles’ side, they managed a five-game win streak in the middle of the season but otherwise have gone just 1-6 in the other seven outings. Boston College has been pretty streaky on the scoreboard this year, averaging 25.0 points per game. The Eagles have just 189.2 yards per game, 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions coming through the air.
Boston College took their third loss in a row to Miami back on November 24. The Eagles were down 28-7 by the break and ended up falling 45-20. Thomas Castellanos managed 151 pass yards with one TD and two interceptions while also leading the rush on 130 yards and a score. Dino Tomlin added three catches for 48 yards as well.
Boston College Eagles Team Facts
- Boston College has lost 27 of its last 28 games against AP-ranked teams.
- Boston College has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games against non-conference opponents.
- Boston College has won the first half in each of its last three games against non-conference opponents.
- Ten of Boston College’s last 11 games as an underdog have gone OVER the total points line.
Matchup/League Facts
- Boston College has recorded the equal-most home wins by a margin of three points or less of any FBS team this season (2).
- SMU rank 6th among FBS teams for points per game this season (40.6).
- SMU rank 12th among FBS teams for points allowed per game this season (17.4).
ANDREW’S FREE SMU VS BOSTON COLLEGE PREDICTION
I’ll stay with SMU in this one. The Mustangs are coming off a nice effort versus Tulane in the conference championship, posting 396 yards (203 passing) and 21 first downs. The three turnovers didn’t help, but SMU’s defense kept them in it by allowing just 2-of-15 on third-down conversions. Still, it was the lowest points total during this nine-game win streak (26), as the Mustangs had put up 31 or more points in each of the previous eight games. I like SMU to blow past the 30-point mark in this one.
As for Boston College, they haven’t been able to get past 22 points in any of the last five games. The Eagles have given up 45 or more points in two of their last three as well, so if SMU gets off to a good start it’ll be tough for Boston College to keep any kind of pace. I don’t see the Eagles getting too close here.