SMU Mustangs vs Virginia Cavaliers Prediction, 12/29/2021 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: SMU Mustangs vs Virginia Cavaliers

Date: Wednesday, December 29, 2021

Location: Fenway Park in Boston, MA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Cavaliers (-1)

Total/Over-Under: 72.5

Fenway Park is the location where the Virginia Cavaliers (6-6) will take on the SMU Mustangs (8-4) on Wednesday in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl. SMU is 1-point dogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The total has been set at 72.5.

The SMU Mustangs step onto the field holding a record of 8-4 for this year. The last time they stepped onto the field, the Mustangs played the Tulsa Golden Hurricane and took a loss by a final of 34-31. Ulysses Bentley IV led the offense in rushing for the Mustangs with 12 attempts for 25 yds (2.1 yds per carry). Tanner Mordecai finished 26/46 with 298 yds passing and 1 touchdown. He had a QB rating of 109.4 and ended the game with 2 interceptions. Against the run, the Mustangs conceded 130 yds on 36 attempts, which is an average of 3.6 yds per rush allowed. SMU relinquished 18 completions on 33 tries for a total of 244 yards, and a completion rate of 54.5%. When the final whistle blew, they tallied 83 plays which gave them a total of 405 yds. The SMU Mustangs ran the football 36 different times and amassed 107 yards, which had them averaging 3.0 yds per attempt.

When talking about scoring, the SMU Mustangs hold an average of 38.4 points per contest. As a team they're averaging 162.4 yards in the run game which ranks them 66th in Division 1. The Mustangs currently have 5,603 yards in total for the year. When it comes to distribution of touchdowns, SMU has compiled 40 passing touchdowns and 20 touchdowns via the ground. SMU has tallied 298 first downs as a team, and they have been hurt by 67 infractions for 628 yards. They have surrendered the ball 18 different times.

Concerning passing yards, the Mustangs have conceded 3,337 yards which has them sitting in 121st in college football. They have relinquished 278.1 yards per game via the pass in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 58.9%. During the season, they have relinquished 414.6 yards per contest putting them 94th in the nation. They have surrendered 28 touchdowns via the pass and 16 touchdowns running the ball. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.7 yards per run and 136.5 rushing yards per game for the season. For the season, they have conceded 1,638 rushing yards through 12 games. The Mustangs are ranked 87th in college football regarding their opponents scoring, conceding 28.4 PPG.

Get all of our Free College Football Picks

The Cavaliers come into this game with a record of 6-6 for this season. For their last game, the Cavaliers took a loss by a score of 29-24 when they played the Virginia Tech Hokies. Brennan Armstrong (1 TD) finished the contest with 400 yds on 30/46 through the air while his QB rating was 141.1. He threw 1 interception and his average yards per pass attempt was 8.7. Brennan Armstrong carried the ball 8 times for 12 yards, ending the contest with 1.5 yds per carry for Virginia. Virginia rushed the football for 2.7 yards per carry, totaling 60 yds on 22 carries. The Cavaliers ended up finishing with 474 yards while running 70 plays (6.8 yds per play). The Cavaliers secondary allowed a completion rate of 43.8%, surrendering 144 yds on 7 out of 16 passing. Virginia gave up 47 run attempts for 320 yds (6.8 yds per rush).

In terms of the points being put on the board, the Cavaliers currently rank 23rd in Division 1 maintaining an average of 34.6 points per outing. During the season thus far, the Cavaliers have thrown for 4,706 yards through the air as well as holding an average of 392.2 throwing yards per outing, which has them ranked 2nd in Division 1. The Virginia Cavaliers have an average of 514.2 yards/contest, which ranks them 3rd in D-1. The Virginia offense has accrued 682 yards of penalties on 77 infractions, which has them sitting 56th in the country in terms of helping out the other team.

The Cavaliers are surrendering 31.8 points per game, which puts them 103rd in the country. Virginia has allowed a total of 2,710 yards rushing (225.8 yards per outing) and 22 touchdowns via the rush for the year. In total, they have relinquished 382 total points. They have allowed the opposition 26 touchdowns through the air as well as 240.2 yards per contest, which puts them in 86th in the country. The Cavaliers defense has been on the field for 845 plays, which is good for 88th in college football.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Mustangs +1

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here