BC Football Countdown to Kickoff 2026: SMU Preview
· Yahoo Sports
The schedule continues into October with Boston College hitting the road to go South and take on SMU in Week 5.
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Game Notes
- Who: SMU Mustangs vs. Boston College Eagles
- Head Coach: Rhett Lashlee
- When: Saturday, Oct. 3
- Where: Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX
Series History
This matchup has not favored Boston College. While there is not much history there, the Eagles are just 1-3 against SMU all-time. These teams have played in each of the last three years with SMU winning two in a row. The first meeting came 40 years ago in University Park, Texas.
- 10/4/1986: SMU 31, Boston College 29
- 12/28/2023: Boston College 23, SMU 14
- 11/16/2024: SMU 38, Boston College 28
- 11/8/2025: SMU 45, Boston College 13
SMU 2025 Recap
SMU finished with a record of 9-4 last season and 6-2 in conference play. The Mustangs reached as high as No. 16 in the AP Poll, which was their mark to begin the season after back-to-back 11-win campaigns. The season ended with a 24-19 win over Arizona in the Holiday Bowl.
Kevin Jennings returned as the starting quarterback after leading SMU to the College Football Playoff in 2024. He led the ACC with 13 interceptions.
Let’s face it, the losses were ugly. SMU was upset in a shootout against Baylor in Week 2 last season, 48-45. The Mustangs would go on to lose a 13-12 rock fight against Wake Forest at the end of October. SMU earned a statement win against Miami to begin November and did not let down the next week against Boston College. The regular season ended with a 38-35 win over Cal.
Offense: Kevin Jennings leads an absolute unit
SMU has turned into a power in the ACC and the return of Kevin Jennings should keep it that way.
Despite struggling with interceptions last year, Jennings has been dynamic with 59 total touchdowns over the last two years. He has the talent and experience necessary to take the offense to the next level — and he has plenty to work with.
The Mustangs return PJ Williams at tackle along with 320-pound Dramodd Odoms on the other side. Addison Nichols and Joshua Bates are other massive bodies on the interior that bring experience. Kendrick Raphael, who tore up SMU last year at Cal, committed in the transfer portal and will now work with Derrick McFall in a talented backfield.
If there is a negative, along with Jennings’ ACC-leading interception number, it is the group of wideouts. Yannick Smith comes in from East Carolina to join Yamir Knight. Jalen Cooper will need to take a big step forward to help the pass catchers.
Defense: Transfers at front of rebuild
The Mustangs did work in the transfer portal this offseason to rebuild the defensive side of the ball.
Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder from Kansas State leads the way in the front seven as an immediate starter. This will help Marques White and Ira Singleton on the edges get to the quarterback. As good as the defensive line can be, the linebackers are among the ACC’s best.
Brandon Booker and Alexander Kilgore were major contributors last season while Jamal Anderson transferred in from Clemson.
In the secondary, Jarvis Lee and Jayvon Thomas come in with Jimmy Wyrick, who totaled 62 tackles and eight passes defended at UTSA in 2025.
Matchup Preview
A 45-13 beatdown at the hands of the Mustangs last season does not instill much confidence this time around — and it will be on the road. This game is early but not early enough to think about a potential upset spot. Boston College will enter as underdogs once again against an SMU team that will have a few weeks under its belt to gel. If the Eagles want to be able to hang around here, it will be on the defense. It is unknown if the Eagles will be able to score with Jennings and the Mustangs offense. Maybe force a few turnovers to keep it close in the second half?