Maryland football vs. SMU preview

Maryland football has a 2-0 record. The Terps beat Buffalo and Charlotte. Now they face SMU. SMu is a first-year team with a new coach and a lot of new players. Saturday's game is at 7:30 p.m. at Maryland Stadium. The over/under is 74 points. According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Maryland is favored by 2.5 points and the over-under score is 75 points

Rhett Lashlee is in his first season as head coach of SMU. He was the Mustangs' offensive coordinator in 2018 and 2019. SMu is ranked No. 34 in ESPN's SP+ rankings.

Tanner Mordecai is a senior quarterback for SMU. Rashee Rice is one of the best wide receivers in the country. Bryan Massey is listed as a starter at free safety and kick returner. Elijah Chatman is the Mustangs' nose tackle. He had an impactful 2021 season. He was honored with Second Team All-AAC accolades. Maryland's defense will have to be prepared to face vertically challenged players. They take at least 10 shots a game. Rice gets targeted on close to 50% of balls thrown.

The Mustangs are the 18th-best total offense in the nation this season. They are averaging 7.8 yards per play and 514.5 yards a game. The offensive line is retooled with six linemen. Tre Siggers was statistically a top-10 running back in The American last season and the offensive coordinator has a lot of experience.

The Mustangs' secondary has been stout, allowing only 184 air yards per game. The caliber of the opponent is the main weakness. SMU had the seventh-worst pass defense in all of FBS in 2021.

Maryland's defense will have to deal with the fastest offense on coach Locksley's schedule, SMU's, during Saturday's game. Lock's team plays with tempo during practice.  “It really has helped our defense to not be such a drastic thing for them to face because they see it out of us”

Maryland football faces SMU on Saturday. Dontay Demus has caught only five passes for 54 yards this season. He suffered a season-ending knee injury against Iowa last October.

Taulia Tagovailoa was outstanding against Charlotte. He needs to be more composed and calm when under pressure against SMU. He has improved in this area recently. The team needs him to do his job. It's his responsibility. His 94.1 passing grade under the pressure was the highest in the nation in week two. Maryland needs Tagvailo to show his toughness on third down.