SMU prepares for its first home game since joining the ACC as Houston Christian visits

Houston Christian (0-0) at SMU (1-0), Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ET (ACC Network Extra)

BetMGM College Football Odds: No Line.

Series record: SMU leads 1-0.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

The Mustangs will likely have an easier time in their home opener as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They had to rally from a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit as three-touchdown favorites in a 29-24 win at Nevada last week. Houston Christian of the FCS is playing its first game under coach Jason Bachtel, who was the offensive coordinator last year. He was 14-6 the previous two years at Division III Howard Payne.

KEY DUEL

SMU quarterback Preston Stone faces an experienced Houston Christian secondary led by senior Semaj Brown and a pair of juniors, Devion Hargrove and Xavier Toliver. Hargrove started 17 games over the past two seasons, while Toliver has 25 games despite missing most of last year. Stone started slowly but completed 5 of 8 passes for 124 yards in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead touchdown pass with 1:18 left.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Christian: Quarterback CJ Rogers is set for his debut with the Huskies after spending his freshman year at Baylor and the past two seasons at Texas State. Rogers led Argyle High School to a 16-0 record and a state championship in 2020 with Bachtel as his offensive coordinator.

SMU: Tight end RJ Maryland had career-highs with eight receptions for 162 yards against Nevada. Stone’s go-ahead 34-yard touchdown reception was one of four receptions for 114 yards in the fourth quarter.

FACTS AND FIGURES

Houston Christian went 6-5 last season, the first winning record for a program that played its first official season in 2014. … SMU is on an eight-game home winning streak and was 6-0 at Ford Stadium in 2023. … The Huskies led the Southland Conference in rushing last season at 158 ​​yards per game. Texas State transfer Calvin Hill joins a balanced group of backs that includes Champ Dozier, Jesse Valenzuela and Darryle Evans. … The Mustangs have had at least seven receivers catch a pass in 18 straight games. … SMU won the other meeting 62-27 at home in 2018.