SMU Ready To Get California 'Revenge' Says Kevin Jennings

The SMU Mustangs will welcome the California Golden Bears to Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Saturday with last season's loss still fresh in their memory.

Well, at least for Kevin Jennings.

The Bears are sitting at 3-4 and are coming off a brutal 41-7 curb-stomping by Wake Forest, whereas the Mustangs are sitting nicely at 5-1 and have the momentum rolling.

But the key is to keep that rolling, and being at home again, against a California team that has allowed more than 38 points in as game three times, this feels like it should be rather straightforward.

However, Jennings knows that despite their struggles, the Mustangs are going to have to put together a serious plan to avoid an upset.

"Looking at Cal, kind of similar to last year, but definitely new personnel, new coaching stuff as well," Jennings said. "So, they're a really good team, really, really good talent, a lot of transfers from elsewhere and all that. So, got to put up a really good game plan."

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The Mustangs faced the Bears in the last game of the regular season, with California winning 38-35 as SMU was down 24-14 entering the fourth quarter.

But 21 points from the Mustangs in the last quarter weren't enough, as Rhett Lashlee's team ended the season with a loss. Although they did go on to win the Holiday Bowl against Arizona.

However, despite that loss happening last year, it still sticks in Jennings' paw.

"It's pretty heartbreaking, last game of the regular season, not being able to finish the job and get the job done," Jennings said.

"So, definitely a chip on the shoulder, means a lot to us to go out there, get our revenge. Kendrick [Raphael] on our team, against his former team. So that's going to definitely mean a lot to us to go out there and get the dub."

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So, SMU has no shortage of motivation heading into this one, and, according to Jennings, last year's loss is what will hopefully push this team to 6-1 and firmly entrench them in the conversation as one of the better teams in the ACC.

Of course, we know that anything is possible given the recent upsets in college football, but the Mustangs will be wary of overlooking the Bears.

And last year's disappointment will likely mean they will look to end this game before it even begins and put to bed any hope of an upset.