SMU vs Stanford Prediction – Week 7 College Football

The SMU Mustangs head west to face the Stanford Cardinal on Saturday night in their first-ever Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) matchup at Stanford Stadium. SMU (5-1, 2-0 ACC) is riding high after a bye week, following a significant 34-27 road win over Louisville. The Mustangs, now ranked No. 21, aim to extend their winning streak to four games as they take on a struggling Stanford team that has dropped three consecutive contests.
This game marks the first meeting between these two programs since the 1935 Rose Bowl, where Stanford handed SMU a narrow 7-0 defeat. Both teams have evolved significantly since then, and this matchup promises to be an exciting clash between SMU’s high-powered offense and Stanford’s attempt to find consistency.
SMU’s High-Powered Offense Leads the Way
SMU has been on a roll this season, averaging 40.8 points per game and building momentum heading into this matchup. Running back Brashard Smith has been a key weapon for the Mustangs, tallying eight touchdowns, including seven on the ground, tying him for second in the ACC. SMU’s fast-paced offense has proven difficult for opponents to handle, especially on the road, where the Mustangs are on a seven-game winning streak.
The Mustangs have used a dual-quarterback system to great effect. After beginning the season with Preston Stone, SMU has gradually transitioned to sophomore Keith Jennings, who threw for a season-high 281 yards in the recent win over Louisville. While Stone attempted just one pass in that game, it was a 10-yard touchdown to Key’Shawn Smith, demonstrating the Mustangs’ depth and versatility at quarterback.
SMU enters this game as a 15.5-point favorite, with the total set at 53.5 points.
Stanford Seeks Consistency
The Stanford Cardinal (2-4, 1-2 ACC) are in need of a turnaround, having allowed 30.8 points per game this season. Stanford’s most recent outing was a 49-7 defeat at the hands of Notre Dame, exposing their defensive vulnerabilities. The Cardinal are still trying to find rhythm on offense, using a two-quarterback system featuring Ashton Daniels and Justin Lamson. Daniels missed a game due to injury but returned in the loss to Notre Dame, adding some stability to the quarterback rotation.
Freshman running back Chris Davis Jr. has been a bright spot for Stanford, gradually increasing his workload over the past three games. Davis has accumulated 233 rushing yards on the season, trailing only Daniels’ 292 yards. Stanford will need both its quarterbacks and Davis to step up if they hope to keep pace with SMU’s explosive offense.
Stanford opened ACC play with a 26-24 win at Syracuse but has since struggled, losing to Clemson and Virginia Tech by a combined score of 71-21. Head coach Troy Taylor knows his team will need a disciplined effort to contain SMU’s up-tempo attack.
Prediction: SMU Dominates to Extend Winning Streak
SMU’s dynamic offense, led by Jennings and Smith, is likely to overwhelm a Stanford defense that has struggled to contain opponents. Stanford will need a near-perfect performance from Daniels, Lamson, and Davis to keep the game competitive. However, SMU’s momentum and depth on both sides of the ball make them difficult to stop.
Expect the Mustangs to cover the 15.5-point spread comfortably and the game to stay under the 53.5 total, as Stanford’s offense may struggle to keep pace.
Final Prediction: SMU 38, Stanford 14