SMU Mustangs at Virginia Cavaliers
· NCAA - FootballSMU’s Jennings is making a name for himself with the Mustangs one win away from the ACC title game
So what’s keeping Jennings from staying under the radar nationally? Former Alabama coach Nick Saban repeatedly heaps praise on him during ESPN’s “College GameDay.”
“I mean, Coach Saban talks about him every week, so it’s making it hard for him to be slept on,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said this week.
Lashlee made the decision to switch to Jennings early in the season. Starter Preston Stone had gone three-and-out three times in a key early season matchup against BYU, and Jennings was put into the game. He hasn’t lost since.
Now No. 13 SMU heads to Virginia on Saturday needing a victory to clinch a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.
Because of the ACC’s overall strength this season, and because the Mustangs (9-1, 6-0, No. 14 SMU) didn’t play regular-season games against Miami or Clemson, it’s unlikely they can earn an at-large bid into the College Football Playoff, making a conference title game appearance essential.
Lashlee emphasized the importance of keeping the focus on Virginia (5-5, 3-3), noting the Cavaliers’ upset victory against Pittsburgh two weeks ago.
Still, that didn’t stop him from dreaming about Jennings’ ceiling next year, after spending an offseason as the starter.
“You think about when he gets one more offseason in the weight room, I think he’s going to really fill out even more,” Lashlee said. “He’s hard to bring down. He has a great feel for the pocket and great awareness for where it is on the field. Aside from the obvious things, you’ve got to be able to throw the ball and all that, I think awareness is one of the best intangible traits a quarterback can have.”
Jennings’ numbers this year vouch for that: He has thrown for 2,198 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions since taking over for Stone.
Not bad for a player ranked 215th best in the state of Texas by recruiting site 247Sports coming out of high school.
Saban has noticed what Jennings brings to the table for the Mustangs, and if SMU keeps winning, he’ll get opportunities to show the rest of the country, as well.
Cavaliers coach Tony Elliott said first-team reps would be split between Colandrea and backup Tony Muskett this week.
“If we were to play today, obviously, AC would run out there first,” Elliott said Tuesday, referring to Colandrea. “I think that, yes, he wants three throws back, but I still think that he reserves the right to have an opportunity to show how he’s going to respond.
“But also, too, I think Tony has warranted more opportunity to prepare himself and to go compete for the job. So, we’re still looking at everything throughout the week.”
However, that game was canceled because of COVID-19 issues within the Virginia program.
It was supposed to be Bronco Mendenhall’s final game as UVa coach, after which Elliott was going to take over.
“And then it was like, ‘OK, the team is yours,’” Elliott recalled. “And so I was like, ‘Oh, I’ve got to accelerate the process,’ because I thought I had another week and a half to kind of observe and make some more decisions.”
Elliott said he hasn’t revisited the canceled game this week, but playing in a bowl is a focus and goal for this year’s team.
“We’ve just talked about how, man, it’s time for us to get back to the postseason,” he said. “We’ve missed out for too many years around here. We need to make the floor the postseason, then start building towards raising the ceiling.”
How To Watch
How can I watch SMU Mustangs vs. Virginia Cavaliers?
- TV Channel: Mustangs at Cavaliers 2021 College Football, week 13, is broadcasted on ESPN2.
- Online streaming: Sign up for Fubo.
Matchup Prediction
Statistics
SMU | UVA | |
---|---|---|
39.9 | Points Per Game | 24.8 |
445.3 | Total Yards | 388.4 |
254.4 | Yards Passing | 246.2 |
190.9 | Yards Rushing | 142.2 |
22.4 | Points Allowed Per Game | 27.5 |
348.6 | Yards Allowed | 401.0 |
249.6 | Pass Yards Allowed | 258.0 |
99.0 | Rush Yards Allowed | 143.0 |
Game Information
Location: Charlottesville, VA -
Capacity:
Mustangs Last 5
Date | OPP | Result |
---|---|---|
@ LOU | W 34-27 | |
@ STAN | W 40-10 | |
@ DUKE | W 28-27 OT | |
vs PITT | W 48-25 | |
vs BC | W 38-28 |
College Football News
SMU’s Jennings is making a name for himself with the Mustangs one win away from the ACC title game
— Kevin Jennings plays quarterback away from the spotlight of the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten. His season numbers aren’t gaudy because it took him three games to win the starting job.
No. 16 Colorado heads to Kansas searching for crucial win for Big 12 title game aspirations
— No. 16 Colorado heads to Arrowhead Stadium to face Kansas on Saturday knowing full well where it stands in the Big 12 picture.
No. 17 Clemson licking its wounds as a game against FCS foe Citadel arrives
— Clemson coach Dabo Swinney is not sure exactly who he will put out there against The Citadel this weekend.
No. 10 Tennessee eager to rebound from loss in home finale against UTEP
— The 10th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers have lots to celebrate as they play their final home game of the season. They also have some serious questions to answer.
No. 19 South Carolina trying to keep the same mindset, intensity when it faces FCS opponent Wofford
— No. 19 South Carolina is the hottest team in the Southeastern Conference and on one of the most impressive streaks in the country. Can the Gamecocks stay locked in when it comes to Wofford, a six-touchdown underdog?