SMU vs Louisville Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 19, 2026
The 16th-ranked SMU Mustangs visit the 23rd-ranked Louisville Cardinals on Saturday at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 3:30 PM ET on ESPN2. SMU is 2-0 overall and 1-0 in the ACC after beating UC Davis 56-10, following a 27-24 road victory over Florida State. Louisville is 1-1 overall and 0-0 in the ACC after beating Villanova 59-13, bouncing back from a 41-38 loss to Ole Miss. Get ready for Saturday’s matchup with our free NCAAF picks.
SMU Mustangs
SMU has scored 83 points through two games, with the passing attack producing 442 yards per game. Kevin Jennings has completed 40 of 52 passes for 767 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions. The Mustangs have several big-play targets, led by Yannick Smith with 151 yards and two touchdowns. Jalen Hale has 121 yards, Jalen Cooper has 113 yards and a touchdown, and Yamir Knight has 111 yards. Kendrick Raphael leads the ground game with 78 yards and one touchdown.
The Mustangs have allowed 34 points through two games, including only 10 against UC Davis. SMU has recorded five sacks and one interception. Jimmy Wyrick leads the defense with 11 tackles and two sacks, while Aakil Washington, Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder and Amontre Harris each have one sack. Jarvis Lee has the team's interception, and Jaylen Moses has forced and recovered a fumble. SMU now faces a Louisville offense averaging 48.5 points through two games.
Injuries: TE M. Uter and RB C. Rhodes are questionable with undisclosed injuries. RB L. Rhodes (knee) is out.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
Louisville Cardinals
Louisville has scored 97 points through two games while averaging 341 passing yards and 211 rushing yards per contest. Lincoln Kienholz has completed 34 of 50 passes for 639 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions. Kienholz has also rushed for a team-high 111 yards and three scores. Tre Richardson leads Louisville with 181 receiving yards and one touchdown, while Lawayne McCoy has 164 yards and two scores. Marquise Davis has added 86 rushing yards and two touchdowns on seven carries.
Louisville's defense has allowed 54 points through two games, with 41 coming in the loss to Ole Miss. The Cardinals have recorded one sack and one interception. Tyler Thompson owns the sack and has also forced a fumble, while Stanquan Clark has Louisville's interception. Koen Entringer leads the Cardinals with 12 tackles, followed by Kaleb Beasley with 11. Louisville has forced three fumbles, but the defense faces a major challenge against an SMU passing game averaging 13 yards per attempt.
Injuries: RB K. Brown and OG A. O'neal are questionable with undisclosed injuries. WR M. Quisenberry and WR K. Hughes are out with lower-body injuries.
SMU vs Louisville Prediction
Both offenses have produced big numbers, but SMU's passing game gives the Mustangs the advantage. Jennings is completing 76.9% of his passes and has thrown eight touchdowns, while Louisville has allowed 27 points per game. Louisville can answer through Kienholz, who has 750 combined passing and rushing yards and seven total touchdowns. This matchup has the profile of a close ACC game with both quarterbacks capable of creating explosive plays. SMU has generated more defensive pressure, and the Mustangs have already won an ACC road game at Florida State. SMU will make enough defensive plays late to win another tight road contest. Final Score Prediction: SMU Mustangs win, 34-31.
Betting on College Football?
- Bet with other College Football fans at the best sportsbooks
- Sign up today and get started with the latest college football sportsbook promos
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Get $350 in Bonus Bets when you wager $5 for 7 days
New DraftKings Customer: SPEND $5, GET $200 IN BONUSES
Best Picks
- SMU Mustangs +1.5 (-112)
- Over 59.5 (-112)
