Meet SMU, the team that may punch Alabama’s ticket to the playoffs

The last time SMU was in the top 10, Rocky 4 was the number one film in America. Rocky is also a pretty good metaphor for SMU. The journey of Pony Expresses from the program that received the death penalty, to a contending American Conference team that won a lot of games, to the top of the ACC and a potential playoff team feels like a movie.

The Mustangs have their own finished Apollo Creed waiting for them on Dabo Sweeny’s Clemson team. With a win over the mighty Tigers, the ACC’s “undefeated man” of the 2010s, SMU will make the playoffs and likely secure a spot over Alabama. This put Alabama fans in a familiar situation, rooting them on against Clemson.

Alabama fans are used to this; The Crimson Tide and Tigers played each other in some of the most iconic games of the last decade. This time they don’t have the confidence of the team they’re rooting for, being a dominant Nick Saban-coached team, but rather Rhett Lashlee’s relatively unknown Mustangs. For those Crimson Tide fans wondering if SMU can make it, here’s everything you need to know about SMU ahead of the ACC Championship Game.

SMU 11-1, 8-0 ACC

The Mustangs had by far the best year in the ACC, going a perfect 8-0 in conference play. They have two ranked wins this year at Louisville and Pitt, with the only loss coming in a low-scoring game against BYU, which finished the year 10-2.

Defense:

While SMU is known for their offense and ability to put up points, defense was the jewel of this team. SMU leads the league in points allowed per game (19.8), they have the best rushing defense in the ACC allowing just 95.8 yards per game, and they have a league-best ten touchdowns on the ground while also allowing the holding opposing quarterbacks to 56.1%. Final rating (third best in the ACC). The Mustangs have the ACC’s best third-down defense, two of the ACC’s top 10 tacklers, and a pass rush in Jahfari Harvey and Isaiah Smith, who have combined for 12 sacks this year.

SMU’s biggest success this season is situational defense. They are the No. 1 third-down defense in the ACC and the No. 2 fourth-down defense and have allowed the third-fewest first downs. In the red zone, the Mustangs forced seven turnovers and allowed opponents to score on just 74.4% of attempts.

Attack:

The ponies will score. SMU has only managed to score under 30 points three times this season, going 2-1 in those games. In three years under head coach Rhett Lashlee, 30 was the magic number for the Mustang, which went 26-1 in games with 30 or more points.

The running game will be the driving factor for the Pony Express offense, led by one of the best defenders in the ACC, Brashard Smith. Smith has 14 of the Mustang’s 28 rushing touchdowns (both third-best in the ACC) and averages 96.4 yards per game.

Behind Smith is No. 2 back LJ Johnson, a competent runner with five touchdowns on 68 carries and the threat of a QB run. Sophomore dual-threat Kevin Jennings is No. 2 on the team in carries and yards and has contributed four rushing touchdowns of his own.

In an ACC loaded with top-notch quarterbacks, Jennings’ arm doesn’t jump off the page. Jennings was middle of the pack in most major passing stats, but his strengths are his efficiency and his ability to distribute the ball. In 26 of the last 29 games, at least seven different receivers have caught a pass for SMU and Jennings ranks as the second most efficient passer in the ACC.

If you’re worried about Clemson upsetting SMU, take a breath. Yes, a loss pushes Alabama out of the bracket, but this is a quality Mustang team taking the field, and with any luck this newcomer could help a blue blood punch its ticket in the playoffs.