Miami quarterback Carson Beck will play against an SMU pass that is second to last nationally, allowing 303.5 passing yards per game. SMU is fourth nationally with 12 interceptions and 10th in producing 3.13 sacks per game. If the Miami offensive line can provide Beck time to throw, Miami should be successful in the air at SMU.
SMU has allowed over 200 yards passing in every game this season, but also had an interception in all but two games. The Mustangs have had multiple interceptions four times in a game during the 2025 season and have had at least two sacks in every game except their 48-45 week two loss to Baylor.
Number one wide receivers have thrived against SMU. Ashtyn Hawkins of Baylor had 10 receptions for 145 yards and his Bears' teammate Josh Cameron had nine for 152 and two scores. Eric McAlister of TCU had eight receptions for 254 yards and three TDs.
C.J. Williams of Stanford had seven receptions for 109 yards and his Cardinal teammate Sam Roush had eight catches for 89 yards. T.J. Moore of Clemson had five receptions for 124 yards and a TD. SMU won two and lost two in the games, with WRs going over 100 yards against them.
Roush had five receptions for 23 yards and Williams one for 11 in a 42-7 loss to Miami last week. Miami WRs C.J. Daniels and Malachi Toney could have big games against a maligned SMU secondary. Toney has three straight games over 100 all-purpose yards and two 100-yard receiving games in his last three.
Daniels leads Miami with six TD receptions and has scored in four of the seven 2025 Miami games. Tony Johnson emerged as a third option for Miami at WR with three receptions for 69 yards versus Stanford. Daniels and Toney have nearly half of the Miami receptions in 2025 and over 50 percent of the receiving yards.
According to Pro Football Focus via David Lake of Inside the U, SMU has the 46th-best pass rush grade and is 44th in coverage grade. Safety Ahmaad Moses leads SMU with three interceptions. Moses, Isaiah Nwokobia and Jaelyn Davis-Robinson, who each have two interceptions, have all returned a pick for a TD in 2025.
Nineteen players for SMU have a TFL and 11 have sacks in 2025. Miami needs to protect well upfront and Beck has to avoid forcing plays that are not there. SMU opponents have provided Miami with a blueprint on how to attack their defense. Beck and the Miami offense need to execute the game plan.