The SMU Mustangs, renown for their passing offense, does have a talented defense, especially at linebacker. However, they must face off against two of Florida State's top performers from Week Zero, running backs Ousmane Kromah and Sam Singleton Jr. Both combined for 279 total yards and three TDs.
It is no secret that SMU consistently has one of the most potent offenses in college football. But they also have a pretty solid run defense.
Last season, they ranked among the top 20 in the FBS in rushing defense, and allowed 111 yards per game on the ground, five rushing touchdowns, and gave up a paltry three yards per carry to the opposition. SMU did not allow a rushing touchdown for six consecutive weeks.
In addition, the Mustangs return two of their top tacklers from that defensive unit of a season ago: linebackers Brandon Booker and Alexander Kilgore.
Booker was third on the team in tackles with 69 stops last season. He also posted three tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and five games with seven or more tackles. Kilgore intercepted two passes to go with his 60 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, and two pass breakups.
The SMU defense did allow 100 yards or more rushing in each of the final five games of last season, but allowed their opponents to reach the end zone only once during that stretch.
The Mustangs’ defenders face off against two of the top performers in college football from Week Zero in Florida State running backs Ousmane Kromah and Sam Singleton Jr.
In the 34-17 victory over the New Mexico State Aggies, Kromah rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown, and averaged 8.21 yards per carry. He currently leads the ACC in rushing yards per game and is second in yards per carry.
Kromah showed off his shiftiness and cutting ability when he broke through the New Mexico State defense for a 52-yard run. He is hard to bring down, so SMU may have to deploy a gang-tackle mentality just to stop him.
Singleton was unstoppable last Saturday night, and made the Aggies defense look like a gallery of statues. Whether it was running ball, catching it, or running back kickoffs, Singleton made it look easy as he recorded 164 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving).
Singleton hauled in four passes for 54 yards and a touchdown, to go with his 42 yards rushing and a score, plus his 68 yards on two kickoff returns. For his efforts, Singleton was named the ACC Receiver of the Week, Florida State’s first non-receiver to earn the award since it was first awarded in 2012. The award can be given to anyone, at any position, who catches a pass. Singleton adds an element of concern for SMU coach Rhett Lashlee that must now be accounted for in the Mustangs’ defensive game plan.
Florida State has many weapons to deploy against the SMU defense, and coach and play-caller Mike Norvell should examine this opponent carefully and be aggressive and creative to put Kromah, Singleton, and also receiver Micahi Danzy, with his elite speed, in position to create plays in space.
The offensive line must hold their blocks and create the running lanes for Kromah and Singleton to use their speed and elusiveness to get to the second and third levels of their defense and gain big yardage.
Keep the SMU defense back on their heels. Do that, and Florida State could get another early-season victory over a ranked opponent.
