Week 6 of the 2025 College Football season features a matchup between the Syracuse Orange and the SMU Mustangs. The game is set to take place at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX, an outdoor venue that promises an exciting atmosphere for the afternoon showdown. Fans can catch the action on the ACCN at 3:30 PM on Saturday, October 4, 2025.
Syracuse Orange enters the game with a 3-2 record, having shown resilience on the road with a 1-0 away record. Their recent performance includes a victory against Clemson Tigers, though they suffered a tough loss to Duke Blue Devils. The Orange will look to improve their standing in the Atlantic Coast Conference as they face SMU in this non-conference game.
SMU Mustangs currently hold a 2-2 record and aim to leverage their home-field advantage at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, where they have a 1-1 record this season. Despite a recent setback against TCU Horned Frogs, SMU secured a decisive win over Missouri State Bears earlier in the season. The Mustangs are favored by the oddsmakers, with a consensus spread of -16.5 points.
SMU vs Syracuse At a Glance
- Game Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, TX
- Game Time: Saturday, October 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
- Broadcast: The game will be aired on ACCN
- Syracuse Record: Currently holding a 3-2 record for the season
- SMU Record: Currently standing at 2-2 for the season
- Betting Odds: SMU is favored with a moneyline of -771, and Syracuse has a moneyline of +532
SMU Mustangs: A Season of Highs and Lows
Team Performance Overview
The SMU Mustangs have shown a mix of offensive prowess and defensive stability this season. Currently, their offensive unit ranks 44th in points for, with 139 points accumulated thus far. Defensively, they rank 73rd in points against, with a total of 106 points conceded.
SMU’s passing attack has been their strength, ranked 51st with 1,126 passing yards. In contrast, their rushing offense ranks 97th with 564 yards, indicating a reliance on the aerial game.
Key Players
Quarterback Kevin Jennings has been a standout performer, leading the team with 1,126 passing yards, placing him 40th in the league. Jennings has also contributed nine passing touchdowns, making him a crucial part of the Mustangs’ offensive efforts.
Running back TJ Harden has been effective on the ground, with 309 rushing yards and five touchdowns. His performance places him 72nd in rushing yards, highlighting his importance in the team’s offensive strategy.
Injury Concerns
The Mustangs are currently dealing with some injury setbacks, notably quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who is out with a torn ACL. This absence puts additional pressure on Jennings to maintain the offensive momentum.
Wide receiver Isaiah Robertson’s status is questionable due to an undisclosed injury. His potential absence could impact the team’s depth at the receiver position.
Recent Game Performances
SMU’s recent performances have been a mixed bag. They managed a decisive 28-10 victory against Missouri State Bears but suffered close losses to TCU Horned Frogs and Baylor Bears.
Their recent 24-35 defeat to TCU highlighted defensive vulnerabilities, particularly in managing the passing game. In contrast, the win against Missouri State showcased their ability to control both the ground and aerial attacks.
Betting Trends
- SU – As Favorite: 27-3 (90.0%) in the last 30 games.
- SU – After Loss: 8-0 (100.0%) in the last 8 games.
- SU – Home Games: 23-6 (79.3%) in the last 29 games.
- O/U – Home Games: 8-3 (72.7%) in the last 11 games.
- ATS – Home Games: 12-7 (63.2%) in the last 19 games.
Syracuse Orange: A Look Ahead to Their Upcoming Game
Offensive Performance
Syracuse’s offense has been a mixed bag this season. They rank 5th in passing yards with an impressive 1,645 yards, showcasing a strong aerial attack. However, their rushing game is less effective, positioned at 97th with only 564 yards.
Despite the imbalance, Syracuse’s ability to secure first downs is commendable, ranking 10th with 123 first downs. Their offensive unit’s capability to maintain drives is a strength they’ll aim to leverage.
Defensive Analysis
The defense for Syracuse has room for improvement, especially in terms of points allowed. They stand at 103rd, conceding 148 points so far this season. However, they have demonstrated effectiveness in creating turnovers, with 3 interceptions ranking them 4th.
Syracuse’s defensive line has been aggressive, accumulating 6 sacks, placing them 15th. This pressure up front could be crucial in disrupting their opponent’s offensive rhythm.
Recent Performance
Syracuse recently suffered a significant 38-3 defeat against Duke, highlighting areas that need immediate attention. In contrast, they had a strong showing against Clemson, securing a 34-21 victory earlier in the season.
Consistency remains a challenge for Syracuse as they also experienced a high-scoring win over Colgate with a 66-24 result. These mixed results underscore the need for stability in their upcoming game.
Impact Players
Quarterback Steve Angeli has been a pivotal figure with 1,352 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, though he is currently sidelined due to injury. This puts pressure on backup options to deliver in his absence.
On the ground, Yasin Willis leads the rushing attack with 296 yards and 4 touchdowns, but the team will need more from him to balance their offensive strategies.
Injury Concerns
Injuries have plagued Syracuse, with key players like Angeli and Julian McFadden out for the season. This presents a challenging situation as they adjust strategies to compensate for the loss of vital contributors.
Several other players remain questionable, adding uncertainty to their lineup. The depth and adaptability of the roster will be tested in upcoming games.
Betting Trends
- SU – After Loss: Last 6 Games (2023–2025) → 6-0 (100.0%)
- O/U – After Win: Last 7 Games (2024–2025) → 6-1 (85.7%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 2-0-1 (66.7%)
- SU – Away Games: Last 6 Games (2024–2025) → 4-2 (66.7%)
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: Last 10 Games (2024–2025) → 7-2-1 (70.0%)
SMU vs Syracuse Prediction: Over 58.5
Both SMU and Syracuse have shown offensive firepower this season, with Syracuse scoring 52 points in their last postseason game and SMU known for high-scoring contests. SMU has accumulated 139 points this season, ranking them 44th in scoring. Their offensive capabilities make them a significant threat to surpass the projected total of 58.5 points.
Defensively, both teams have struggled to contain their opponents consistently. Syracuse’s defense ranks 103rd in points allowed, while SMU is 73rd, making it likely that both teams will exploit each other’s defensive weaknesses. This points towards a high-scoring game, pushing the score over the given line.
SMU’s home games have frequently gone over the total, with a record of 8-3 in their last 11 games. Additionally, their tendency to score heavily at home, combined with Syracuse’s road game performance, contributes to the likelihood of the total being exceeded.
The projected final score reflects these trends, with SMU capitalizing on their offensive strengths and Syracuse finding the end zone enough times to keep the score competitive. This suggests a game total that exceeds 58.5 points.
- SMU vs Syracuse Prediction: Over 58.5
- SMU vs Syracuse Score: SMU 42 – Syracuse 27
