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Boston College vs. SMU: Struggling BC faces huge No. 21 test

Dustin Judge
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, a key figure in Boston College vs. SMU, throws during an October 2025 game against Syracuse

Boston College visits No. 21 SMU at noon ET Saturday, Oct. 3, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas, in SMU’s first ACC home game of the season. The Boston College vs. SMU game airs on The CW.

The Eagles (2-2, 0-1 ACC) lean heavily on quarterback Mason McKenzie, while the Mustangs (3-1, 1-1 ACC) bring one of the most productive passing attacks in the conference. The biggest question heading into kickoff: can the Eagles find any offensive balance against an SMU team that has won three of its last four games?

Boston College vs. SMU game information

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
  • Time: Noon ET
  • Venue: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas
  • TV: The CW

SMU won the last Boston College vs. SMU meeting 38-28 on Nov. 16, 2024, in Dallas.

Can Boston College’s offense find balance beyond McKenzie?

Boston College’s offense has become a one-man operation. In the Eagles’ 21-14 loss to Virginia Tech on Sept. 26, McKenzie accounted for 249 of the team’s 261 total yards, according to Sports Illustrated. He ran for 138 yards and two touchdowns and completed 11 of 23 passes for 111 yards in a nor’easter with wind gusts up to 40 mph, per the AP recap on ESPN.

For the season, McKenzie has thrown for 759 yards with three touchdowns and five interceptions and leads the team with 363 rushing yards and three scores, per ESPN. Boston College ranks 124th nationally in passing efficiency and converts 28 percent of its third downs, Sports Illustrated reported.

The run game outside of McKenzie has stalled. Citing PFF data, Sports Illustrated found running back Evan Dickens averaging 2.9 yards per carry on runs left of center and 5.7 yards per carry to the right. Coach Bill O’Brien moved Trevon Humphrey in at left tackle for the Virginia Tech game, but the change did not immediately fix the problem.

How dangerous is SMU’s passing attack right now?

Kevin Jennings just became SMU’s career passing leader. In a 34-24 win over Missouri State on Sept. 26, he went 33 of 39 for 464 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, including a school-record 21 straight completions, according to the AP via CBS Sports. That pushed him past Ben Hicks for SMU’s career passing yards and completions.

On the season, Jennings has completed 97 of 126 passes for 1,453 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. Receiver Yamir Knight leads the team with 27 catches for 345 yards, and tight end Theo Melin Ohrstrom caught two touchdown passes against Missouri State. Running back Kendrick Raphael has 373 rushing yards and five touchdowns, per ESPN.

Key Boston College vs. SMU matchup: BC’s offensive line vs. SMU’s defense

SMU’s defense has not had to carry the team often, but it has been steady enough to cover for an offense that has had its own slow starts, including two early turnovers against Missouri State. Boston College’s line, by contrast, has given McKenzie little margin for error. Apart from McKenzie’s runs, the Eagles’ backfield has 304 rushing yards all season, per Sports Illustrated.

If the Eagles cannot create space up front, McKenzie will again have to do nearly everything himself against a Mustangs team whose wins include a 56-10 rout of UC Davis and a 27-24 victory at Florida State.

Expected starters

Boston College: McKenzie is expected to start at quarterback, with receiver Dawson Pough (eight catches, 146 yards this season) a top target. SMU: Jennings is expected to start, with Raphael getting most of the carries and Knight and Jalen Cooper (eight catches for 125 yards against Missouri State) leading the receivers.

What to watch in Boston College vs. SMU

Boston College had won two straight before the Virginia Tech loss, and another defeat would sharpen questions about the offense under O’Brien. SMU, coming off a 41-31 loss at Louisville on Sept. 19 and the Missouri State win, wants a clean performance in its first ACC home game as a ranked team. Coach Rhett Lashlee said after the Missouri State game that “we don’t make ourselves hard to beat,” per the AP.

How Boston College’s defense handles Jennings and Knight will likely decide whether Boston College vs. SMU stays close.

For more college football, see our Alabama-Mississippi State preview and our Ohio State-Iowa preview.

Reporting from ESPN, CBS Sports and Sports Illustrated contributed to this story.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.