November 17, 2017

By Dylan Edwards, SMUMustangs.com

SMU heads to Memphis for its final road game of the season, this one coming against the leader of the West. The matchup features two of the best offenses in college football, so both defense will have their hands full. The game will be SMU's first 11 a.m. kick of the season.

When SMU has the ball…

Only four teams this season have put up 400 yards in all 10 of its game this season. The Mustangs are one of those. Those yards have helped SMU roll up 396 points, the eighth highest total in the nation and just one point off the school record. The 400-yard streak actually dates back to last season and is the third-longest active streak in FBS.

The Mustangs are always primed to rip off a big chunk of yards, picking up 20+ yards 73 times this season on a single play, the fourth-most in the country. The Mustangs are facing a Memphis defense that ranks outside the top-100 in yards allowed. However, some of that is due to the Tigers having such a quick-hitting offense and the defense often playing with a lead.

What the Tigers do well on defense is getting a drive stopped before it begins. Memphis' defense ranks second in the conference in forcing three-and-outs. Close to 40 percent of opponents' drives have ended in that fashion. Based on what

SMU's defense will be facing on Saturday, it's even more important for the Mustangs to be their usual selves on offense.

When Memphis has the ball…

Some offenses strive for balance between rushing attempts and passing attempts. Memphis is not one of those offenses.

Nearly 2/3 of Memphis' yards this year have come via the pass. The Tigers' bread and butter is putting the ball in the air and moving the ball quickly down the field in chunks. Memphis ranks in the top-10 nationally in passing yards, total yards and points per game. Even though Memphis is often in the lead, the Tigers rank outside the top-100 in rushing attempts per game.

Despite the high volume of passing attempts, the offensive line for the Tigers doesn't give up sacks on quarterback Riley Ferguson. He's only been dropped 10 times this season, the 11^th in the nation.

One of Memphis' few areas of weakness has been converting third-and-short opportunities. When the Tigers face third and two or fewer, Memphis ranks 120 of 130 FBS teams in picking up the first down. SMU had some success last week against Navy on short yardage plays. It will be vital to take advantage of any opportunity to get the Tigers off the field.

To get the Tigers into those situations though, SMU will have to find a way to slow down receiver Anthony Miller. Miller has the ability to completely take over a game, as he did in Memphis' comeback against Houston where he grabbed 10 passes for 178 yards. His 11 touchdowns on the season ranks 11^th in the nation.