SMU vs. Virginia Tech: How to Watch, Odds and Injury Report

DALLAS - The SMU Mustangs return to Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Friday night looking to rebound from a disappointing road loss to Syracuse when they host Virginia Tech in an important Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.

Both teams enter Friday's contest with 6-2 overall records, but SMU holds a slight advantage in the conference standings at 4-2 compared to Virginia Tech's 3-2 ACC mark.

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The Mustangs are coming off a narrow 30-27 defeat at Syracuse, while the Hokies have won two consecutive games, including a 20-16 victory over Clemson.

Injuries could play a significant role, particularly for an SMU defense dealing with several important absences.

According to the initial ACC availability report, the Mustangs have nine players listed as out, including safeties Tyren Polley Jr., cornerback Jaelyn Davis-Robinson, defensive ends Ira Singleton IV and Trey Wilson, and linebackers I'Zayah Young and Xavier Wright.

Offensive lineman Abel Hoopii, wide receiver Carterrious Brown and running back Link Rhodes are also unavailable. Safety Ahmaad Moses is listed as questionable.

The defensive absences could create matchup problems against a Virginia Tech offense that has become increasingly productive through the air. The uncertainty surrounding Moses is particularly important given SMU's limited depth in the secondary.

Virginia Tech also enters Friday with several injury concerns. Linebacker George Ballance and offensive linemen Justin Terry, Lucas Austin and Nathaniel Wright are listed as out.

Wide receivers Chanz Wiggins, Shamarius Peterkin and Luke Stuewe are questionable, along with offensive lineman Marlen Bright, defensive linemen Randy Adirika and Emmett Laws, and cornerback Thomas Williams.

Hokies head coach James Franklin indicated earlier in the week that the team's bye week provided an opportunity for several injured players to recover.

The availability of Adirika and Laws could be particularly important against SMU's rushing attack.

Offensively, the Mustangs continue to rely heavily on quarterback Kevin Jennings, who has thrown for 2,414 yards and 21 touchdowns this season.

Jennings passed for 351 yards and two scores against Syracuse, surpassing 10,000 career passing yards in the process. His ability to stretch the field and create opportunities outside the pocket remains one of SMU's most significant advantages.

Running back Kendrick Raphael provides balance with 692 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. His ability to establish the ground game could become especially valuable against a Virginia Tech defense dealing with injuries along its front.

Wide receiver Yamir Knight, who leads SMU with 523 receiving yards, is coming off a six-catch, 80-yard performance against Syracuse that included a touchdown.

Virginia Tech counters with quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer, the former Penn State signal-caller who has helped stabilize the Hokies' offense.

Grunkemeyer threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns against Georgia Tech before tossing two scoring passes in the victory over Clemson.

Tight end Luke Reynolds could present the biggest individual challenge for SMU's injury-depleted secondary. The 6-4 junior has 50 receptions for 493 yards and six touchdowns this season, including the decisive fourth-quarter scoring reception against Clemson.

Wide receiver Que'Sean Brown provides another versatile option after contributing 69 receiving yards and 22 rushing yards against the Tigers.

SMU will look to protect its unbeaten home record, having won all five games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium this season. Virginia Tech, meanwhile, arrives with momentum from consecutive victories and additional preparation time following its bye week.

MORE: SMU's Kevin Jennings Offers Glass-Half-Full Approach To Syracuse Loss

For the Mustangs, avoiding another conference loss will be critical as the ACC race enters its final month.

The combination of Jennings' passing ability, Raphael's rushing production and the advantage of playing in Dallas gives SMU an opportunity to regain momentum, but the team's mounting defensive injuries make Friday night's matchup a significant test.

WHAT: Virginia Tech Hokies (6-2, 3-2 ACC) at SMU Mustangs (6-2, 4-2 ACC)

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 6, 2026 | 6 p.m. CT

WHERE: Gerald J. Ford Stadium | Dallas, TX

TV: ESPN | Mike Monaco, Jordan Rodgers, Dana Boyle

RADIO: KTCK-FM 96.7 | KTCK-AM 1310

BETTING ODDS via DRAFTKINGS

SPREAD: VT +6.5

TOTAL: 56.5

MONEYLINE: VT +185 | SMU -225