I’m going to be honest here, I am incredibly worried about Saturday’s matchup with SMU.
After a slow start to the season with QB Preston Stone at the center of the offense, the Mustangs have looked damn impressive with Sophomore Kevin Jennings at the helm.
Jennings is a legitimate duel threat who has accounted for more than 12 yards per completion.
Paired with elite-level running back Brashard Smith and an underrated Mustang defense, SMU has hung 66 on TCU and 42 on Florida State in back-to-back weeks.
Here’s the caveat: The Mustangs haven’t ventured away from the DFW metropolitan since August 24th. And the opponents that have visited the Ponies have not been near the test that Louisville football presents.
Let’s dive into the details and get you ready for a massive game for Cards.
Who: SMU (4-1, 1-0) at Louisville football (3-1, 1-0)
Where: L&N Stadium | Louisville, KY
When: Saturday, October 5th, 2024 at Noon
How to Watch: ESPN
How to Listen: 93.9 FM in Louisville
Series History: SMU leads 2-0
Last Meeting: SMU won 41-7 in 1984
Spread Check: Louisville -6.5
Thread Check:
We’ve been blessed with some god-tier uniform matchups this season.
The gold “Rumble In the Jungle” themed uniforms this week are pretty solid. Not the best, but not mad about the look.
Only slightly concerned that the numbers will be difficult to see, which drives me bonkers.
SMU with the classic look this week. Respect it.
Players to Watch
Brashard Smith, SMU
A player that Louisville football should be intimately familiar with, Smith gave the Cards trouble last season as a receiver for Miami.
After three seasons of not seeing the snap share he wanted, Smith made the move to SMU and became the Mustangs’ starting tailback.
Since then, all Smith has done is become one of the premier backs in the country.
Per ESPN’s David Hale, Smith is the first player with 500 rush yards, 100 receiving yards, 100 return yards and 8 TDs through five games since Memphis’ Darrell Henderson in 2018. The only other P5 players to do so in playoff era are Saquon Barkley and Ameer Abdullah.
That’s elite company.
TJ Quinn, Louisville
Louisville’s veteran middle linebacker needed to take a major step up this season. And thus far, it’s been a mixed bag for Quinn.
As a run-stopper, Quinn and Stanquan Clark have been quality.
In passing situations, however, Quinn has become easier to pick on.
SMU tight end RJ Maryland is a legitimate threat that the Cards will have to key on. Expect the Ponies to try to test Quinn across the middle.
Clark and defensive tackle Rene Konga have earned PFF All-American honors the last two weeks. The Cards need a similar performance from Quinn this week.
Projected Depth Chart
Quarterback
9 Tyler Shough
10 Pierce Clarkson
Running back
21 Don Chaney
22 Keyjuan Brown
25 Isaac Brown
Right tackle
78 Jonathan Mendoza
60 Rasheed Miller
Right guard
56 Renato Brown or
51 Austin Collins
Center
50 Pete Nygra
59 Vic Cutler
Left guard
68 Michael Gonzalez
73 Madden Sanker
Left tackle
71 Monroe Mills
70 Trevonte Sylvester
Receiver 1
1 Ja’Corey Brooks
24 Ahmari Huggins-Bruce
Receiver 2
0 Chris Bell
7 Jimmy Calloway
Receiver 3
5 Caullin Lacy
81 Cataurus Hicks
49 Chris Hughes
82 Jahlil McClain
Tight end
83 Mark Redman
11 Jamari Johnson or
85 Nate Kurisky
Defensive end
9 Ashton Gillotte
41 Ramon Puryear
Defensive tackle
50 Thor Griffith or
93 Jared Dawson
Defensive tackle
99 Dez Tell or
90 Rene Konga
94 Jordan Guerad
LEO
19 Tramel Logan
33 Myles Jernigan
Middle Linebacker
34 TJ Quinn
32 Jurriente Davis
Weakside Linebacker
6 Stanquan Clark
15 Dan Foster
Star
35 Antonio Watts
10 Ben Perry
Cornerback
3 Quincy Riley*
20 Tayon Holloway
Cornerback
14 Corey Thornton*
23 Taz Nicholson*
Free Safety
27 Devin Neal
22 D’Angelo Hutchinson
Strong Safety
29 MJ Griffin
12 Tamarion McDonald
