Can the Mustangs find consistency against Houston Christian?

For the second week in a row, SMU enters a game against a largely unknown opponent led by a new head coach.

The Mustangs were nearly upset by Nevada in Week 0, but pulled off a fourth-quarter comeback to start the season 1-0. This week, they will look to play a more complete game and find an offensive rhythm early.

Here’s what you need to know about this week’s game:

SMU vs. Houston Christian

When: 7 p.m. Saturday at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas

records: SMU (1-0); Houston Christian (0-0)

The last meeting: SMU defeated Houston Christian 62-27 at home in the only other meeting between the two teams on Sept. 29, 2018.

What is at stake?

SMU’s 10-game, power-conference slate begins next week against BYU, so Houston Christian’s game — its only against an FCS team this year — is the Mustangs’ last chance to clear the cobwebs before the competition heats up.

The game also gives SMU a chance to start 2-0 and 1-0 at home before the toughest stretch of its season.

When SMU has the ball

The start of the SMU offense last week was far from perfect. Turnovers, poor discipline and a lack of explosion in three quarters almost resulted in SMU losing its first game of the year.

The Mustang offense was able to turn it around in the fourth quarter when Preston Stone led two touchdown drives and found RJ Maryland for the game-winning touchdown. Maryland had a career-best performance with eight catches for 162 receiving yards and a score.

In Saturday’s game, it will be critical for SMU to find an early offensive rhythm and finish drives. The offense will also need to show composure, as it did in the fourth quarter last week, and an ability to settle.

Head coach Rhett Lashlee said he expects to use quarterback Kevin Jennings more after playing him for just two drives in the season opener.

When Houston Christian has the ball

Discipline remains a focal point for SMU’s defense, which lost Brandon Crossley — a key player in its secondary — last week after he allegedly spat on an opponent.

SMU’s defense was generally prepared against Nevada. He spent over 60 percent of the game on the field, and while he faltered in the running game, he was able to come up with some key plays down the stretch, including a safety on Anthony Booker Jr.

Houston Christian offensive coordinator Jason Bachtel took over as head coach this offseason after the team’s best season in program history. He leads an explosive offense that can spread the field more than SMU saw against Nevada.

foresight

SMU enters as a 43.5-point favorite over Houston Christian. While that may be a big ask to cover, the Mustangs should find their first easy win of the season.

Teams usually make a big jump from the first game of the year to the second, and while Houston Christian is an unknown opponent, SMU has an extra game to play. Houston Christian might experience some of SMU’s rust last week against Nevada.

If SMU can build some confidence both offensively and defensively in Saturday’s game, it will be able to enter a three-month stretch of conference opponents on a high note.

Score: SMU 42, Houston Christian 10

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