Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1547512
36 NOV. 14, 2026 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED GAME PREVIEW: SMU It's a big game for senior Notre Dame defensive end Boubacar Traore, who has to attack the soft underbelly of SMU's offense. And if he does, Jen- nings — who was sacked 14 times through Week 9 — will make mistakes under pressure. Advantage: SMU NOTRE DAME RUNNING GAME VS. SMU RUN DEFENSE It's been a tale of two seasons for Notre Dame on the ground. The Irish rushed for 4.1 yards per carry in September and 6.1 in October. The latter figure would rank fourth in the country through Week 10, while the Mustangs ranked 52nd nation- ally in rushing yards allowed per carry (3.81). Which version is the real Notre Dame run game? This writer would argue the latter. Running backs Nolan James Jr. and Jonaz Walton have taken com- mand in the backfield, and they complement each other well. Most importantly, an offensive line that only starts one player who started at the same position in 2025 (and that's center Ashton Craig, who missed the second half of that season with a torn ACL) came together and became a road- grading unit. SMU is actually tied for 12th in the country in tackles for loss with 7.4 per game (59) entering Week 10, led by defensive end Marques White with 8. Much like Miami's Omar Thornton, nickel back Jarvis Lee is a huge part of what the Mustangs do up front, with 5.5 tackles for loss this season. This might surprise you, but the tackles for loss are why I like Notre Dame in this matchup. For one, it corresponds to its strength. The Irish entered Week 10 tied for the fewest total tackles for loss allowed in the sport at 17. And for another, a mid- dling run defense that's highly ranked in tackles for loss likely gives up a ton of explosive plays. That's the case with SMU, which has allowed 5 runs of 40 or more yards this season. Only two Power Four teams have given up more. Look for Walton, Notre Dame's most explosive running back, to break a big one. Advantage: Notre Dame NOTRE DAME PASSING GAME VS. SMU PASS DEFENSE SMU's pass defense is also middle-of-the-road, ranking 50th in efficiency. The Mustangs' biggest issue is they do not create turnovers. Through Week 9, SMU only had 2 interceptions. Pass rush has been a strength for the Mustangs, who rank tied for 18th with 23 sacks, led by White's 5.5. White has been a constant disruptor on the edge with 27 pressures, which should be expected because it's his eighth year of college football. Interior defensive lineman Malcolm Alcorn- Crowder is also a force, with 21 pressures this season. Basically, SMU needs to create pressure to generate quality pass defense. That's why it's great news for Notre Dame that Carr, entering the Miami game Nov. 7, had only been sacked twice all season. That's partly due to Notre Dame's offensive line being very good and partly due to his 4.1 percent pressure-to-sack ratio. Presuming the Irish protect him well and he plays at the top of his game, Carr should be able to pick apart the Mustangs' secondary. There isn't really one leaky defensive back who's causing problems for SMU. The issue is the Mus- tangs don't really affect the football in the air. In addition to the low interception total, their 23 passes broken up rank 118th nationally. Even if the Irish aren't creating a ton of separation, Carr will have little issue hitting the windows he has. Advantage: Notre Dame SPECIAL TEAMS Brendan Baird took over kicking duties for SMU while Nick Reed dealt with an injury. Baird was 5 of 6 with a long of 45 as of Nov. 6. By that same date, Notre Dame kicker Spencer Porath was 10 of 11 on field goals with a long of 52. Porath's volume and consistency give him the advantage here. Does SMU boast a major return threat? Not really. Knight averaged 9.8 yards per punt return through Week 9, a figure dwarfed by Jordan Fai- son's 13.7. The Mustangs have used six different kickoff returners for some reason, none of whom have done anything special. With the punting battle about even as well, Notre Dame has the edge on the third phase. At least, the Irish have it as long as they avoid some of the tomfoolery and self-inflicted mistakes that have hurt special teams coordinator Marty Biagi's unit on occasion this season. Advantage: Notre Dame COACHING SMU had long endeavored to return to a power conference, and 28 years after the dissolution of the Southwest Conference, it did. After being part Entering Week 10, SMU was tied for 18th in the country with 23 sacks. PHOTO COURTESY SMU ATHLETICS