SMU Mustangs vs Texas State Bobcats Prediction, 9/5/2020 College Football Pick, Tips and Odds

Game: SMU Mustangs vs Texas State Bobcats

Date: Saturday, September 5, 2020

Location: Bobcat Stadium

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: SMU (-20.5)

Total/Over-Under: 66.5

Bobcat Stadium is the site where Brady McBride and the Texas State Bobcats will play the SMU Mustangs on Saturday. SMU opens this matchup as 20.5-point favorites. The O/U opens at 66.5.

In their last game in 2019, the SMU Mustangs went up against the Florida Atlantic Owls and were on the losing end by a score of 52-28. Taking the lead at quarterback for the Mustangs was Shane Buechele who went 27/47 with 303 yards via the pass and threw 1 touchdown. He tossed 1 interception in the game. Ke'Mon Freeman paced the team on the ground for that game. He broke a long run for 14 yards but he never crossed the endzone by way of the rush. He scurried for 52 yards by way of 15 carries which had him averaging 3.5 yards per run. Kylen Granson was the receiving yardage leader with a total of 93 yards on 7 catches. He earned an average of 13.3 yards per catch for that game.

The Mustangs step onto the field after holding a record of 10-3 in 2019. They were one of top scoring teams in the nation averaging 41.8 points per game, ranking them 7th in D-1. As a unit, they averaged 180.8 rushing yards per game which was 7th in the conference. For total yardage, they ranked 3rd in the conference and 11th in D-1 with 6,367 yards. They are a team that has one of the most potent offenses in the conference and they have the ability to run the score up on teams.

The Mustangs had one of the most lackluster defenses in D-1, giving up 33.4 points per game, which had them at 9th in the conference and 109th in Division 1. When it comes to yards through the air, the Mustangs conceded 4,017 yards. Opponents completed 60.2% of the passes they threw against them and averaged 7.8 yards per try. When it comes to rushing yards, SMU allowed 156.3 yards per game ranking them 4th in the AAC and 62nd in D-1. They allowed teams to run for an average of 3.9 yards per rush ranking them 5th in the conference and 44th in the nation overall. In total, they conceded 2,032 yards rushing through 13 games.

In their last game in 2019, the Texas State Bobcats took the field against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers and went home in defeat by a score of 24-21. Running the show from under center for the Bobcats was Tyler Vitt who went 23/33 with 285 yards via the pass and threw 2 touchdowns. He walked away with 1 pick for this game. Robert Brown Jr. led the team in rushing in this outing. He broke a long run for 7 yards but he wasn't able to run one in for a touchdown. He scurried for 24 yards via 6 carries which had him averaging 4.0 yards per run. Mason Hays was the leader in receiving yardage with a tally of 117 yards on 5 receptions. He averaged 23.4 yards per reception in this outing.

The Bobcats head into this game after finishing last season 3-9. Texas State didn't do much to make teams fear their rushing game by averaging 76.7 yards per game, ranking them 127th in D-1. As a team, they compiled a total of 920 rushing yards through 12 contests, so they are going to want to make some changes to the ground game if they want to make teams respect them. The Bobcats averaged 317.8 yards per game overall ranking them 121st in the nation and 11th in the conference. In discussing their scoring prowess, the Bobcats sat in 11th in the Sun Belt and 122nd out of all the teams in the country averaging 18.4 points per contest.

The Bobcats gave up 32.6 points per contest which put them at 6th in the conference and 106th in D-1. When talking about points given up, they gave up 391 total points. In regard to yards on the ground, they allowed 216.8 yards per contest ranking them 118th in D-1 and 8th in the Sun Belt. For 2019, they allowed 2,602 yards rushing. Their passing defense was one of the top groups in the nation. They conceded 199.3 passing yards per contest. For yards through the air allowed per game, the Bobcats sat in 2nd in the Sun Belt.

Who will win tonight's Mustangs/Bobcats college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Mustangs -20.5

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