SMU Keeps ACC Title Hopes Alive With Virginia Tech Blowout

DALLAS - SMU isn't finished chasing an ACC championship just yet.

The Mustangs delivered an emphatic response to last week's disappointing loss at Syracuse, defeating Virginia Tech 51-28 Friday night at Gerald J. Ford Stadium to remain firmly involved in the conference championship race.

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Kevin Jennings threw for 284 yards and two touchdowns, both to Yamir Knight, as SMU improved to 7-2 overall and 5-2 in ACC play.

But while Friday's victory kept the Mustangs' championship hopes alive, the road to Charlotte remains complicated.

Miami entered the weekend undefeated in conference play at 6-0, while Wake Forest stood at 5-1. SMU's victory puts the Mustangs level with the Demon Deacons in conference wins, although Wake Forest has played one fewer ACC game.

That makes next Saturday's showdown against Wake Forest in Dallas potentially the biggest game remaining on SMU's conference schedule.

A victory would give the Mustangs a crucial head-to-head advantage over the Demon Deacons, who are among their strongest competitors for one of the two spots in the Dec. 5 ACC Championship Game.

Lose, and SMU would fall to three conference defeats with only its November 28 trip to Stanford remaining in ACC play.

That's a difficult position for a team trying to catch programs that have already created separation in the standings.

Friday's performance, however, offered plenty of encouragement.

Jennings completed 21 of 27 passes, while Knight caught five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Kendrick Raphael added a rushing score as the Mustangs consistently challenged Virginia Tech's defense.

SMU also received an important defensive contribution from Marques White, whose strip-sack and fumble recovery helped create an early touchdown opportunity.

The result was particularly meaningful after the Mustangs' 30-27 loss at Syracuse interrupted a four-game winning streak and left little margin for another conference setback.

Now, SMU has an opportunity to turn its season around with a victory over Wake Forest.

There is another complication: Louisville.

The Cardinals entered the weekend at 4-2 in ACC play and own a 41-31 head-to-head victory over SMU from September.

If the teams finish tied and their head-to-head result determines the tiebreaker, that loss could become especially costly.

The Mustangs therefore need more than simply winning games. They also need favorable results elsewhere in the conference.

SMU can still finish 7-2 in ACC competition by defeating Wake Forest and Stanford. Its Nov. 21 trip to Notre Dame is a significant national matchup but won't count toward the ACC standings.

Whether seven conference victories will be enough to reach Charlotte remains uncertain.

What isn't uncertain is the importance of the next game.

SMU hosts Wake Forest on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.

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The Mustangs can't clinch a championship berth that afternoon, but they could take a major step toward one.

After Friday's convincing victory, SMU still has something worth fighting for.