OU vs SMU Preview: Scoutin' The 'Stangs

Sep 6, 2023
4 min read

Following a 73-0 thrashing of the Arkansas State Red Wolves, the Sooners return to the Palace this weekend to welcome a more competent opponent in the SMU Mustangs. The last time these 2 programs met in 1995, Gary Gibb’s Sooners took down the Mustangs in Norman by 2 scores. This year’s SMU team crosses state lines after a 38-14 victory over Louisiana Tech. Led by former 5-star Quarterback Preston Stone, the Mustangs provide a bit of a test for the OU defense. There’s also a lot of experience for SMU, beginning with 15 seniors between the offense and defense.

Tale Of The Tape…

SMU is one of the newest programs in the news for conference expansion, after announcing its plans to move to the ACC next season. Head coach Rhett Lashlee led the Mustangs to a 7-6 record in 2022, but they seem to be a program with a bright future. The athletic department is investing $110 million into some major upgrades for Ford Stadium. Like many teams across the country, Oklahoma included, SMU attacked the transfer portal this season. Some additions include Miami RB Jaylan Knighton, TCU WR Jordan Hudson, OU DL Kori Roberson, and A&M RB LJ Johnson. Most of the Mustangs defense is loaded with new faces as well. There’s a few familiar faces on the SMU sideline, including Roberson, former OU commit Hudson, and DL coach Calvin Thibodeaux. It’s a program that hasn’t won a conference title in 39 years, but many around the Dallas metroplex believe this is the year it all comes together.

Why is that?

When SMU has the ball…

It’s not the air-raid, but it’s still an offense that can knock your socks off if you let them. It’s an offense that like OU, likes to go fast. There’s a lot of variation and formations. After calling the shots offensively for Miami in 2021, Lashlee took over a program in 2022 with some solid talent to work with. The SMU offense ranked No. 10 in the nation in PPG (36.6) a season ago. Despite the loss of Rashee Rice to the NFL, the ‘Stangs return a good portion of their receiving core, including its leading receiver in Jordan Kerley, who finished his 2022 campaign with 37 catches, 588 yards, and 6 TDs. The addition of Jordan Hudson through the transfer portal and emergence of TE RJ Maryland is huge for this unit. The signal caller of that squad a year ago, former OU QB Tanner Mordecai, took over at Wisconsin this season. In steps sophomore Preston Stone, who in his 2nd career start against the Bulldogs, finished with 248 yards passing and 3 TDs. RB Tyler Lavine returns after rushing for a team high 642 yards, and 10 touchdowns a season ago. The Miami transfer Knighton joins him in the backfield, and he’s a guy that offensive coordinator Casey Wood can use in a variety of ways. Then of course, there’s LJ Johnson, who ran for 128 yards and a TD in the win a week ago. Of course, you can’t forget about the hogs up front. They’ve essentially re-constructed up front, adding names like Logan Parr, Hyrin White, Caleb Johnson, and Jakai Clark through the portal, all of which have played a lot of football.

On Defense…

This is where things get interesting for the OU offense. If last week’s performances from the likes of Dillon Gabriel or Andrel Anthony can continue, the Sooners have a great opportunity to light up the scoreboard yet again. This is an SMU defense that’s struggled recently. It’s a unit that finished 111th overall in the country. But of course, the portal strikes again. The Mustangs are looking for improvement in the trenches after adding Miami transfers Elijah Roberts and 315 pounder Jordan Miller. Led by defensive coordinator Scott Symons, who coached against Gabriel while at Memphis, primarily runs a 4-2-5 scheme. New additions in the Linebacker room include Kobe Lewis (Temple) and Ahmad Walker (Liberty). The secondary is filled with guys with noses for the ball, and yet again, portal additions. Charles Woods and Chris Meggington are expected to upgrade the CB situation, while Stanford transfer safety Johnathan McGill arrived to Dallas with 115 tackles, 4 INTs, and 13 PBUs as a Cardinal. Though there isn’t much depth across the board for the Mustangs, there’s a lot of solid talent on both sides.

FINAL THOUGHT…

While I do expect Oklahoma to win comfortably, SMU is a team that presents an early challenge for this group. Arkansas State is not a great team, so you don’t really learn much about the defense from that one. While it certainly looks better on all levels, the Mustangs provide a great test for a defense that needs it. The secondary is going to be key for the Sooners this week, as SMU has a lot of speed on the outside offensively, which will require hands on play from the DBs. It’s a great opportunity for this defense to create turnovers.

KEYS TO VICTORY