Who has the edge?

Looking to continue on their path to their first bowl appearance since 1984, the SMU Mustangs host the winless Rice Owls this weekend as part of the Hilltop’s Homecoming festivities.

Coming off a 27-13 win over Tulsa, SMU (4-4, 3-1) remains caught in a two-way tie with Houston for first place in the West Division. If Houston loses to Tulsa this weekend and the Mustangs defeat Rice, SMU will take sole possession of the division.

Heading into Saturday’s game, SMU holds a 45-40-1 advantage over Rice and is 38-40-3 in Homecoming games, including a 5-4 record in Homecoming games at Ford Stadium.

Predicted to make his second collegiate start, freshman quarterback Kyle Padron could make his first start at Ford Stadium following a 354-yard game, including two touchdowns against the Golden Hurricane. Padron completed 20 of his 30 passes, throwing zero interceptions and not surrendering any fumbles to the Tulsa defense.

Looking to regain possession of the Mayor’s Cup, SMU will continue to rely on their defense to stop the Owls’ passing game.

In his first year at quarterback for the Owls, sophomore Nick Fanuzzi is averaging 157.8 passing yards per game. Senior wide receiver Toren Dixion leads Rice in receiving yards with two touchdowns and 54.6 yards per game. Fanuzzi will also be up against a Mustang defense that allowed only 217.9 passing yards per game.

As SMU continues to average just more than two picks per game, Fanuzzi, with five interceptions on the season, could see his pick count increase at the hands of Dennis and freshman defensive back Robert Mojica.

Despite giving up nearly 400 total yards per game, the SMU defense is tied for third in the nation with 15 interceptions. Led by senior defensive back Rock Dennis, the Mustangs are also ranked ninth in the nation with 22 takeaways, including forcing nine fumbles.

Rice comes to Dallas with a weak running game, with their leading rusher, freshman running back Charles Ross has just 26.4 yards per game and 4.7 yards per carry. SMU fans will be looking to senior linebackers Chase Kennemer and freshmen Taylor Reed and Ja’Gared Davis to put pressure on Fanuzzi and Ross.

When the Mustangs have the ball, Padron may share playing time with sophomore quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell if he chooses to play, but head coach June Jones has not named a starter.

In what could be Padron’s first start at Ford, the freshman has already put up promising numbers, throwing two touchdowns passes and zero interceptions in SMU’s win over Tulsa last weekend.

Against a team that allows more than 450 passing yards per game, the Mustangs’ run and shoot offense should click for Padron and the team, as the Owls have only recorded 12 sacks this season. In comparison, SMU has been averaging 279.9 receiving yards and 97.1 rushing yards. The Owls surrender an average of 209.8 rushing yards per game.

Wide receivers senior Emmanuel Sanders, junior Aldrick Robinson and sophomore Terrance Wilkerson also continue to be key components of the passing game. While Sanders has fallen below averaging 100-plus yards per game, he continues to average more than 10 yards per carry. Robinson and Wilkerson, each with four touchdowns, average 64.9 yards and 46.8 yards per game, respectively.

SMU’s ground game has also improved, led by junior running backs Shawnbrey McNeal and freshman Zach Line. McNeal enters the game with a 79.0 yard-per-game average, while Line leads the team’s running game with four touchdowns.

Kick off for Saturday’s game is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Ford Stadium.

Fans can hear the live radio broadcast on KLIF-570 AM in Dallas or watch the game on tape delay on Time Warner Cable.

A win for the Mustangs will mean…

One win closer to the magical number of six wins that grants bowl eligibility. Also winning Homecoming for the first time in four years will be a morale booster for both the team and the student body in attendance.

A win will also represent the first time the Mustangs have won back to back games since the beginning of the season, the beginnings of positive momentum.

Not to mention the Mustangs will be looking for payback for Homecoming two years ago when Rice beat SMU in the final seconds.

A win for the Owls will mean…

It will be the first win of the season for the Owls, a step in reassuring there will be positive things in the program’s future. A win would also mean another SMU Homecoming crashed by the Rice Owls, with the season all but over for Rice, they may just be looking to play spoiler.

Mustangs return to Ford for Homecoming game as they look to beat winless Rice Owls