Pregame Prep: Things You Should Know Before the Game
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV / Radio: ESPN2 / 93.9 The Ville
Uniforms: Louisville (white bird head helmet / red jersey / white pants)
Last Time These Two Met:
With starting quarterback Miller Moss and running backs Isaac and Keyjuan Brown out due to injury, Louisville struggled to maintain any kind of offense. The Cardinals had 228 total yards, including 100 passing, and only managed two field goals, marking just the second time in the Jeff Brohm era that Louisville did not score a touchdown in a game.
SMU’s Kevin Jennings had one of the best outings of his collegiate career, completing 29-of-37 passes for 303 yards and four total touchdowns (three passing / one rushing). The Mustangs tallied 485 total yards, as SMU blew out Louisville in a 38-6 victory.
Notable Numbers:
- SMU is 4-0 all-time against Louisville.
- Additionally, Louisville is 0-6 all-time against the ACC’s three newest additions (California, SMU, and Stanford), including 0-4 in the last three seasons.
- Louisville is 2-3 under Jeff Brohm in ranked vs. ranked matchups, with both wins coming in 2023.
First Down: Meet the 2026 SMU Mustangs
Head coach Rhett Lashlee enters his fifth season looking to take SMU back to the College Football Playoff for the second time in the last three seasons. Lashlee led SMU to an appearance in both the ACC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff in 2024 (SMU’s inaugural season with the conference), but narrowly missed out on another appearance in the conference championship game last year after losing to California in the regular season finale. SMU finished 9-4 last season, with a win over #17 Arizona in the Holiday Bowl.
SMU enters week three with a 2-0 record, including a nailbiting victory at Florida State in their season opener. SMU is currently ranked #16 in the AP poll this week.
Second Down: SMU Offense
SMU is all about speed and tempo with their no-huddle offense. The Mustangs have ranked 18th and 25th in pace of play each of the last two seasons, and currently rank 37th entering this week.
Quarterback Kevin Jennings is back for his third season as the starter, and he’s had big outings in his last two games against Louisville. Jennings completed 78% of his passes and had 394 total yards (including a career-high 113 rushing) in 2024, and followed that with a 300+ yard outing with three touchdowns in last year’s meeting (also on 78% completion rating).
Jennings is another dual-threat quarterback that is similar to Ole Miss’s Trinidad Chambliss (something that Louisville assistant Steve Ellis also mentioned in Monday’s press conference). While he is a mobile quarterback, Jennings will more often utilize his legs to buy time and hit throws downfield. One area that Jennings has struggled with is ball security, throwing 26 interceptions since 2024 (but it is worth noting that Louisville has zero forced turnovers in each of their last two games versus SMU).
SMU also got a huge boost to their backfield with adding Kendrick Raphael in the transfer portal. Raphael had 943 yards and 13 TDs last year at California, he’s a quick running back who can make plays as a receiver. Dramecko Green (17 carries, 62 yards) has been splitting carries with Raphael through two games, he adds a power element with his ability to break tackles at the first and second level.
While Jennings and Raphael are the headliners in SMU’s offense, their receiver group as a whole is one of the better units in the ACC. Yamir Knight is their top returning receiver from last year (54 receptions, 637 yards, five TDs), and he’s flanked with new speedsters, such as Yannick Smith (six receptions, 151 yards, two TDs) and Jalen Cooper (five receptions, 113 yards, TD). Tight end Randy Pittman, Jr. (six receptions, 77 yards, two TDs) adds a big target for Jennings at 6’2″ and 240 lbs; he’s able to get separation underneath and make routine first downs. Derrick McFall (115 total yards, TD) is an athletic player who can line up anywhere and stretch the field.
Players to Watch:
- QB Kevin Jennings (767 passing yards, 77% completion, eight TDs, two INTs)
- RB Kendrick Raphael (15 carries, 78 yards, TD)
- WR Yamir Knight (nine receptions, 111 yards)
Third Down: SMU Defense
Maurice Crum, Jr. and Rickey Hunley, Jr. are back for a second season as co-defensive coordinators, after SMU’s defense led the ACC in interceptions (18) and finished fourth in the conference in rushing defense last season.
SMU has been waiting for all-conference safety Ahmaad Moses to be cleared to play after he underwent spinal fusion surgery in the offseason, but he is listed as out for Saturday. The Mustangs have playmakers at safety though, with Jimmy Wyrick and Tyren Polley, Jr. leading the team in tackles through two weeks. Wyrick has two sacks in as many games, and SMU has managed to hold opposing quarterbacks to 52% completion through two games. William Nettles (37 tackles, four PBUs, INT last year) returns as a starter at cornerback, with Texas A&M transfer Jayvon Thomas (seven tackles, 0.5 TFLs in 2026) as another starter.
Their front seven has been very disruptive through two games, with 14 TFLs and five sacks so far. Aakil Washington returns after sitting out last season with a medical redshirt; he was disruptive against Florida State, with five tackles and 1.5 TFLs against the Seminoles in their season opener. Alexander Gilgore and Brandon Booker also return as the team’s top returning tacklers from last season (both had at least 60 apiece in 2025).
Players to Watch:
- S Jimmy Wyrick (11 tackles, two sacks)
- LB Alexander Kilgore (ten tackles, TFL)
Fourth Down: Keys to the Game
Will Louisville’s defense be able to force Kevin Jennings into mistakes?
For the second time in three weeks, Louisville’s defense will be tasked with trying to contain a mobile quarterback that prefers to use their feet as an asset in the passing game, rather than scramble. The Cardinals defense had success in the first half against Ole Miss with making plays on the ball and forcing Trinidad Chambliss to complete passes in tight windows, but struggled in the second half with blown coverages and opposing receivers getting downfield. That will be one key aspect to the game, considering that SMU has been among the nation’s best at stretching the field vertically. Kevin Jennings is also the nation leader in total offense, with Louisville’s Lincoln Kienholz at #2.
Louisville only has one sack through two games, but if they can get their edge rushers to contain Jennings in the pocket and force him to make throws into tight coverage, the Cardinals could take advantage of errant throws from Jennings. Forcing turnovers and being ready to line-up — and end SMU drives quickly — will be crucial to keep SMU’s no-huddle offense from wearing down Louisville’s defense.
What impact could Anwar O’Neal’s return have for the offense?
Louisville could see a huge boost to their offensive line this week, as left tackle Anwar O’Neal was listed as probable in this week’s ACC Injury Report. That would be a huge addition to an offensive line that has had issues with establishing a rhythm in the first two weeks, both in terms of run blocking and pass protection.
If O’Neal suits up on Saturday, that would (likely) move Lance Robinson to center, and that could be the key for Louisville’s run game to get some push on the interior. Being able to get Isaac and Keyjuan Brown going early will also open opportunities for Louisville in their play-action game.
O’Neal’s return would also bolster a very explosive passing game that Louisville and Lincoln Kienholz have had in the first two weeks. If Louisville can put it all together on the offensive line this week, they could have a really big day on offense.
