SMU Faces Syracuse With ACC Title Hopes And Injury Concerns Looming

SMU football takes its four-game winning streak on the road Saturday when the No. 19 Mustangs face Syracuse in an important ACC matchup that could help determine their conference championship hopes.

Rhett Lashlee's Mustangs enter the Halloween showdown at 6-1 overall and 4-1 in ACC play, while Syracuse sits at 3-4 and 1-4 in the conference. Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. CT at the JMA Wireless Dome, with ESPN2 carrying the game.

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SMU is coming off its most explosive offensive performance of the season, a 59-20 victory over California that featured 42 unanswered second-half points.

Quarterback Kevin Jennings threw for 223 yards and three touchdowns against Cal, becoming SMU's career leader in touchdown passes.

Jennings has now thrown for 2,062 yards this season and continues to drive an offense averaging 473.9 yards and 36.4 points per game.

Running back Kendrick Raphael provides an important complement after rushing for 104 yards and scoring three touchdowns against the Golden Bears.

The Mustangs should have opportunities against a Syracuse defense allowing 337.1 yards and 26.3 points per contest. However, injuries could influence how SMU approaches the matchup.

SMU entered the week dealing with several absences, including running backs Dramekco Green and Link Rhodes, defensive lineman Ira Singleton IV and safety Tyren Polley Jr.

Polley is expected to miss the remainder of the season with a pectoral injury, while Rhodes is sidelined for the year with a knee injury.

Green's hand injury has created additional depth concerns at running back.

Wide receiver C. Reed, tight end M. Uter and kicker Nick Reed have also appeared on injury trackers with uncertain availability.

Their statuses require confirmation through the ACC's updated availability report before Saturday.

Syracuse faces potentially more significant questions at quarterback.

The Orange have used multiple quarterbacks this season because of injuries.

Steve Angeli, Amari Odom and Malachi Nelson have each produced 300-yard passing performances, but all three have dealt with availability concerns.

Odom and Nelson were ruled out for last week's North Carolina matchup, while Angeli's status remained uncertain. Their availability against SMU could substantially change Syracuse's offensive outlook.

Despite the quarterback uncertainty, Syracuse averages 286.1 passing yards per game and features a dangerous receiving threat in Umari Hatcher.

The Orange have also improved their rushing production, gaining at least 163 yards in three recent games.

SMU's defense, allowing just 303.3 yards per game, will need to contain those offensive weapons while limiting explosive plays.

The Mustangs defeated Syracuse 31-18 last season, and another victory would strengthen their position in the ACC championship race.

SMU enters as approximately a 10-point favorite, but the Mustangs can't afford to overlook a Syracuse team capable of producing offense regardless of who's taking snaps.

MORE: SMU Offensive Line Earns PFF Honor After Fueling 59-Point Win Over Cal

For Lashlee, the formula is straightforward: protect Jennings, establish Raphael early and make Syracuse's injury-depleted quarterback room uncomfortable.

A fifth consecutive victory would keep SMU moving toward another potentially significant postseason opportunity.