QB Paxton Lynch
The first-year quarterback unseated Jacob Karam, last year’s starter, and has had an up and down year so far. Lynch has shown improvement, passing for 200 yards in two straight games after not reaching the 200-yard mark in his first three starts. While Lynch only has two touchdowns on the year compared to five interceptions, he’s completing close to 60 percent of his passes. SMU will have to pressure Lynch early to force some bad decisions from the young signal caller.
RB Brandon Hayes
Hayes has had a solid 2013 campaign so far, rushing for 379 yards on 72 carries, but only has two touchdowns on the season. Hayes’ only 100-yard game on the season came in their only win, against Arkansas State. Needless to say, SMU must stop Hayes from establishing the run early so that the Mustangs can force Memphis to beat them through the air. Hayes is averaging 5.26 yards per carry and the SMU defense will need to step up to stop Hayes and the rest of the Memphis backfield.
LB Tank Jakes
The junior linebacker leads the team in tackles, 30, is second with 5.5 tackles for loss and also has two sacks on the season. Jakes also comes in with a lot of momentum after a nine tackle, 2.5 tackles for loss performance against Houston last weekend. SMU’s offensive line has struggled so the group will have to be able to keep an eye on Jakes especially against the run.
DL Martin Ifedi
Do-it-all defensive lineman Martin Ifedi has made a considerable impact so far this season for the Tigers with 29 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. Ifedi is a tough matchup at 6-foot-3, 265 pounds and has enough size to move inside along the line on passing situations, which is where SMU is going to have to watch him. It’s no secret that SMU loves to pass the ball so if SMU can limit Ifedi to just a sack on the day, that will be a win for the offensive line.
DB Bobby McCain
The Oxford, Ala., native will be charged with locking down the SMU passing game that is coming off a record setting performance. McCain has good enough size at 5-foot-11, 190 pounds to be able to match any of the SMU receivers. With two interceptions on the year, including one for a touchdown and three passes broken up, quarterback Garrett Gilbert has to be smart about when he throws the ball McCain’s way. If SMU’s receivers can win their matchup with McCain, Gilbert will be able to direct a solid offensive attack this weekend.
