The SMU Mustangs avoided a scare on Saturday night in Reno as they escaped with a one-point victory over the Nevada Wolf Pack. The Ponies were trailing by 13 in the fourth quarter but entered the game as four-touchdown favorites.
The Houston Christian Huskies now travel to Dallas looking to build on their best season in program history. The Huskies went 6-5 last season and are now led by new head coach Jason Bachtel.
Oddsmakers have the Ponies winning the game with ease, as they're currently laying 44.5 points.
Do the Huskies have the chops to cover this massive number? Let's dive into our Houston Christian vs. SMU prediction for Saturday, Aug. 30.
Houston Christian vs SMU Prediction
- Houston Christian vs SMU Pick: SMU -44.5
My Houston Christian vs. SMU best bet is on the Mustangs to cover, with the best line currently available at FanDuel, according to our live NCAAF odds page.
Houston Christian vs SMU Odds
| Houston Christian Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+50.5 -110 | 59.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
| SMU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-50.5 -110 | 59.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
Houston Christian vs SMU Preview
Houston Christian Betting Preview: Can the Huskies Stay Explosive?
Bachtel wanted some familiarity when he took over as head coach in the offseason, so he recruited former Texas State quarterback CJ Rogers. Rogers went 16-0 and won a state championship with Bachtel as his offensive coordinator in high school.
The Huskies defense brings back a lot of experience in the secondary, which is a good sign against an explosive SMU passing attack.
However, there are some questions on the defensive line, and the talent discrepancy could be a huge issue for them here.
The Huskies averaged 28 PPG last season, and they'll need a whole lot more than that to stay competitive with the Ponies. The offense was explosive last season, but with Rogers under center, there's some uncertainty about whether they can remain just as effective.
Defensively, the secondary might be able to hold up for a couple of drives, but the Mustangs may utilize their ground attack a lot more in such a lopsided matchup.
There's also the angle that suggests the Ponies are going to be pissed off all week after their weak effort against Nevada, so they may come out with their hair on fire.
I never liked Rogers at Texas State, so I don't have much faith he'll be able to replicate the explosiveness of last season's Huskies team. I cann't back HCU here despite the large spread.
SMU Betting Preview: Will Jennings Get the Keys?
Head coach Rhett Lashlee put on a coaching clinic last week, and I say that with no endearment. Lashlee's team had absolutely zero fire and looked completely unprepared for what's supposed to be a bad Nevada team.
Quarterback Preston Stone looked terrible at times, but he led the team to victory late in the fourth quarter. Tight end RJ Maryland will soon be playing on Sundays, so it makes sense that he became the main focal point of the aerial attack against Nevada.
Lashlee has mentioned that quarterback Kevin Jennings will get more runs on Saturday, but it's unclear when he will enter the game. In limited action, Jennings looked far more effective than Stone, so I'm curious to see how much playing time he gets.
The Ponies need to be better on the offensive side of the ball, and the effort needs to be much more vigilant. I think they hang a crooked number after being completely embarrassed last week.
The talent gap here should also give SMU a massive edge defensively. With the Huskies making a change at quarterback, their offense is going to experience growing pains.
SMU's defensive front got pushed around at times against Nevada, but it should have free rein against the Huskies' offensive front. I have no worries about their defense on Saturday.
Lashlee may be an overrated coach, but this is a terrific get-right spot for the Ponies to pour it on against the Huskies. The number isn't quite large enough, and I doubt anybody is running to back this team after last week's performance.
My Houston Christian vs SMU Pick & Prediction
Yes, we're laying it with Lashlee's Ponies. No matter if it's Stone or Jennings under center, I expect a lot of quick scores from the offense that'll allow them to pour it on early.
The Huskies are a feel-good story out of the FCS, but Rogers isn't the answer. Expect growing pains in the first game with Rogers despite his familiarity with Bachtel's offense.
The step up in competition may be too much for the Huskies to overcome.
My Pick: SMU -44.5
How to Watch Houston Christian vs SMU Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, TX |
| Date: | Saturday, Aug. 31 |
| Kickoff Time: | 8 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ACCNx |
Houston Christian vs SMU Weather
