The SMU Mustangs and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons meet in week 9 college football action from Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a SMU Mustangs vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons prediction.
SMU Mustangs Recap
The SMU Mustangs come into this game looking to add on to their 35-24 win over Clemson last time out to sit at 5-2 this season. After this game, SMU will head home for a game against Miami.
Mustangs Win 3 Straight
Kevin Jennings has thrown for 1,948 yards, 17 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on 68.4% passing while T.J. Harden leads SMU in rushing with 431 yards and 5 touchdowns. Chris Johnson Jr. also has 285 rushing yards and 3 TDs on the ground while Romello Brinson has a team-high 34 catches for 502 yards and 3 TDs to lead SMU’s receivers. Jordan Hudson has 22 catches for 334 yards and 3 TDs while Jalen Cooper has 271 receiving yards and Yamir Knight’s added 219 receiving yards. Three more Mustangs have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Isaiah Nwokobia leads the Mustangs with 53 total tackles including 30 solo tackles while Cameron Robertson and Jeffrey M’ba each have a team-high 5 sacks while Isaiah Smith has 4 sacks and Terry Webb has 3.5 sacks this season. As a unit, SMU’s defense has combined for 23 sacks and 10 interceptions so far this season.
Why the SMU Mustangs will win
- SMU has won each of its last 10 road games against conference opponents.
- Wake Forest has lost each of its last eight home games against conference opponents.
- Wake Forest has failed to cover the spread in eight of its last nine games as a home underdog.
- SMU has covered the spread in six of its last seven road games in October.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Recap
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons come into this game looking to add on to their 39-14 win over Oregon State from their last outing prior to last week’s bye, sitting at 4-2 this season. After this game, Wake Forest will head on the road for a game against Florida State.
Demon Deacons Looking To Extend Win Streak
Robby Ashford has thrown for 1,172 yards, 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions on 59.9% passing while also rushing for 233 yards and 4 TDs. Deshawn Purdie’s also thrown for 326 yards and 5 TDs on 51.4% passing. Demond Claiborne has a team-high 539 rushing yards with 8 touchdowns while Chris Barnes leads Wake’s receiving group with 23 grabs for 410 yards his season. Sterling Berkhalter has 225 receiving yards and a TD and Micah Mays Jr. has 214 receiving yards with a score while three more Demon Deacons have 100+ receiving yards as well this season. On defense, Nick Andersen has a team-high 50 total tackles while Langston Hardy has a team-high 4.5 sacks. As a unit, Wake Forest’s defense has combined for 13 sacks and 3 interceptions so far this season.
Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will win
- Wake Forest has won each of its last eight October home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Wake Forest has covered the spread in seven of its last eight October home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- SMU has failed to cover the spread in five of its last six games as a favorite.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Wake Forest’s last four games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Six of SMU’s last seven games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.
SMU Mustangs vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Prediction
I’m on Wake Forest here. I just don’t think that SMU is as strong as the team that made the college football playoff last year, and I think that Wake Forest defensively is better than a lot of folks give them credit for. I think this is going to be a tight game and with Wake coming off of a bye, I think the Demon Deacons are live in this game. Give me Wake Forest here.