The East Texas A&M Lions take on the SMU Mustangs in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, Aug. 30. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
SMU is favored by 51 points on the spread, with the over/under set at 63.5.
Here’s my East Texas A&M vs. SMU prediction and college football picks for Saturday, August 30.
East Texas A&M vs SMU Prediction
- East Texas A&M vs. SMU Pick: Over 62.5
My SMU vs. East Texas A&M best bet is on both teams to go over the total. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
East Texas A&M vs SMU Odds
| East Texas A&M Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+51 -110 | 63.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
| SMU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-51 -110 | 63.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
East Texas A&M vs SMU Preview
East Texas A&M Lions Betting Preview: Trying to Find Footing
East Texas A&M has played the last three seasons as a transitioning Division I member, and thus far, it has not been an easy transition for head coach Clint Dolezel. The Lions went 23-13 under David Bailiff, but are just 4-18 under Dolezel as he enters Year 3.
The Lions return Ron Peace at quarterback for his second season under center. The senior threw for over 2,500 yards with 16 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions last season.
It will be imperative that he protects the ball this week as his team steps up in competition.
Peace will have his top five leading receivers back with him for another season. Leading the way is senior Christian Jourdain, who racked up 51 receptions for 683 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Tight end Sean Sallis is a threat over the middle of the field. He had three touchdowns and averaged 12.5 yards per catch last season.
SMU will be the first of two ACC opponents for East Texas A&M this season, as it will head to Florida State next week.
The Lions played at San Diego State last season and gave up 45 points, so their defense may be in for another long night in Dallas on Saturday.
SMU Mustangs Betting Preview: Plenty of Returning Production
When we last saw quarterback Kevin Jennings, he turned the ball three times as Penn State routed SMU by a score of 38-10 in the College Football Playoff.
While that was the lasting impression — and possible first exposure to him for many — the performance overshadowed the breakout season he had.
After usurping the starting job from incumbent Preston Stone, Jennings accounted for over 3,5oo total yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He garnered third-team All-ACC honors and finds himself on several preseason watch lists entering the season.
He'll have a new partner in the backfield with Brashard Smith off to the NFL. The Mustangs added TJ Harden from UCLA and Chris Johnson Jr. from Miami in the transfer portal.
However, it was redshirt freshman Derrick McFall who was named to the Doak Walker Award watch list.
Jordan Hudson comes into the season as SMU's leading returning receiver with 39 catches for 422 yards and five touchdowns in 2024.
Receiver Romello Brinson and tight end Matthew Hibner return as well, while Yamir Knight was added in the transfer portal to man the slot.
However, head coach Rhett Lashlee may be most excited about the return of tight end RJ Maryland. The senior had 24 receptions for 359 yards and four touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury last October.
If healthy, he will contend for All-ACC honors.
East Texas A&M vs SMU Pick, Betting Analysis
Depending on the book, you'll find SMU favored to win by a margin of around 51 points.
What nearly matches that number is SMU's scoring offense at home. Over its last 15 home games, SMU has averaged 48.7 points per game while going 14-1 in that span. That includes 69 against Prairie View A&M, 69 against Tulsa and 59 against Houston Christian.
With East Texas A&M being an FCS opponent, SMU's team total likely will not be available. However, the Mustangs are fully capable of scoring 62 points by themselves, particularly against an FCS defense that allowed 31.5 points per game last season.
With that in mind, I'll be backing over 62.5 points here. If we get a touchdown or more from the Lions, consider it a bonus.
Pick: Over 62.5 (Play to 64.5)
