SMU at Texas State - 9/5/20 College Football Picks and Prediction

The SMU Mustangs are coming off a solid 10-3 campaign in 2019, a season in which SMU started a perfect 8-0. Shane Buechele and the SMU offense was one of the most powerful and consistent offenses in the entire country. SMU scored at least 28 points in each game they played in 2019, but their lackluster defense was the reason the team was not a powerhouse in the NCAA last year. Quarterback Shane Buechele returns for his senior year with SMU in 2020, and although the team will not have their top wide receiver from a season ago in James Proche, SMU still has a ton of weapons in the passing game. As far as the running game for SMU, TJ McDaniel looks to be the starting running back for SMU. McDaniel had 41 carries for 236 yards last season with SMU, which was good for 5.8 yards per carry. McDaniel will be a key piece of this SMU offense, as replacing the yards of Xavier Jones and Ke'Mon Freeman will not be easy. 

Texas State had yet another disappointing season out of the Sun Belt in 2019, as the team went a measly 3-9 overall with a 2-6 conference record. It looks like redshirt transfer Brady McBride and Tyler Vitt will be in the running for the quarterback job at Texas State this season. McBride looks to be #1 on the depth chart as of now, so it will be interesting to see what Texas State decides to do in game one of their season. Brock Sturges looks to be the lead running back for Texas State heading into the season. Sturges was a member of Butler CC in the NJCAA, where he was actually an NJCAA-All American. 67 receptions and 618 yards receiving will have to be replaced for Texas State with the loss of Hutch White. Javen Banks and Jah'Marae Sheread look to be the top two receiving options for Texas State heading into the 2020 season. 

There are always so many things to anticipate heading into week one of a college football season. I think SMU is a bit more prepared for this season than Texas State is. Replacing your quarterback, running back, and top wideout is never an easy thing to do, and that is exactly what Texas State must do this season. I expect SMU to put a ton of points on the board here, and I will lay the 20.5 points with the Mustangs of Southern Methodist in this spot.