SMU Mustangs Defeat Virginia Cavaliers 23-13
Saturday, October 17, 2026, 12:00 PM ET · Gerald J. Ford Stadium
SMU Mustangs 23, Virginia Cavaliers 13, final. Our NCAAF picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Virginia Cavaliers vs SMU Mustangs?
SMU Mustangs beat Virginia Cavaliers 23-13 at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on October 17, 2026.
Who was favored in Virginia Cavaliers vs SMU Mustangs?
SMU Mustangs were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -360 (about 78% implied). The favorite won.
The SMU Mustangs secured a decisive 23-13 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, showcasing their strong home advantage and solidifying their position in the NCAAF standings. This win marks the Mustangs' sixth victory of the season, improving their record to 6-1, while the Cavaliers fall to 4-4.
In terms of recent form, the Mustangs have been impressive at home, boasting a 5-0 record this season. Over their last ten games, they have achieved a 7-3 record, with an average of 32.9 points scored per game and 20.5 points allowed. Their last five games have seen them winning four, averaging 34.6 points scored and allowing 23.0. In contrast, the Cavaliers have had a mixed bag of results on the road, with a 1-1 away record this season and a 4-3 overall record. They have averaged 28.7 points scored and allowed 18.2 points over their last ten games, with a recent streak of one win.
The matchup was particularly noteworthy due to the Mustangs' home dominance and the Cavaliers' struggle to perform consistently away from home. In their last meeting, the Mustangs managed to outscore the Cavaliers, which has become a trend in their recent encounters. The Mustangs have shown a capability to score effectively, especially in their home games, where they have maintained a perfect record this season.
In terms of player availability, the block did not specify any injuries that could have impacted the game, suggesting that both teams fielded their key players. This allowed for a competitive matchup where both teams could showcase their strengths.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had the Mustangs favored at -10, indicating a strong belief in their home-field advantage. The total points line was set at 51.5, reflecting expectations of a moderately high-scoring game, which ultimately turned out to be lower than anticipated given the final score.
Weather conditions were not detailed in the block, but the game took place in October, typically suggesting cooler temperatures that could affect player performance and game dynamics.
Viewers should have noted the Mustangs' offensive efficiency, particularly their ability to score in crucial moments, as they averaged a significant number of points in their recent home games. The Cavaliers, on the other hand, needed to rely on their defensive capabilities to keep the game competitive, especially given their lower scoring average in away games. Overall, this match highlighted the Mustangs' home prowess and the Cavaliers' ongoing challenges in away fixtures.
What we said beforehand
The upcoming matchup between the SMU Mustangs and the Virginia Cavaliers at Gerald J. Ford Stadium promises to be an intriguing contest as both teams come in with solid records. The Mustangs hold a home record of 4-1, while the Cavaliers are 4-2 on the road this season. The game is set to kick off on October 17, 2026, at 16:00 UTC.
In their recent form, SMU has won four of their last five games, with their only loss coming against the Louisville Cardinals. Their last game saw them triumph over the Boston College Eagles with a score of 25-16. Over their last five matches, the Mustangs have averaged 34.6 points scored and allowed 23.0 points per game. Conversely, Virginia has also shown resilience, winning three of their last five games, including a recent victory against the Syracuse Orange, where they won 28-25. The Cavaliers have averaged 32.6 points scored and allowed 21.4 points in their last five outings.
When it comes to home and away performances, SMU is particularly strong at home, boasting a perfect record of 5-0 in their last ten home games, averaging 32.9 points scored and allowing 20.5 points. In contrast, Virginia has struggled somewhat on the road, with a record of 1-1 in their away games this season.
In terms of previous meetings, there is no specific historical data provided in the block regarding past encounters between these two teams, but both sides will be eager to make a statement in this matchup.
Injury reports are not detailed in the provided facts, so the current health of the rosters remains a critical factor that could influence the game's outcome. Fans will want to keep an eye on any updates leading up to the kickoff.
From a betting perspective, DraftKings has set the odds with SMU favored by 10 points. The total points line is set at 51.5, with the over at -115.0 and the under at -105.0. The money line shows SMU at -360.0 and Virginia at 285.0, indicating a strong belief in the Mustangs' ability to secure a victory.
Weather conditions for the game are expected to be mild, with a temperature of 58°F and wind gusts reaching up to 13 mph, which should not significantly affect gameplay.
As the game approaches, viewers should watch for the performance of key players. For SMU, quarterback Kevin Jennings has thrown for 1,588 yards with 14 touchdowns and 5 interceptions, while running back Kendrick Raphael has accumulated 418 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns. On the Virginia side, quarterback Beau Pribula has passed for 1,074 yards with 13 touchdowns and just 1 interception, complemented by running back Jekail Middlebrook, who has 337 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns. The match will showcase a clash of offensive talents, making it a must-watch for college football fans.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | SMU -10 | 51.5 o -110 / u -110 | Virginia Cavaliers +285 · SMU Mustangs -360 |
Leaders
- Passing yardsKevin Jennings23/36, 246 YDS, 2 TDSMU Mustangs
- Rushing yardsKendrick Raphael22 CAR, 124 YDSSMU Mustangs
- Receiving yardsYannick Smith5 REC, 87 YDSSMU Mustangs
- Passing yardsBeau Pribula13/22, 137 YDSVirginia Cavaliers
- Rushing yardsJekail Middlebrook14 CAR, 59 YDSVirginia Cavaliers
- Receiving yardsDa'Shawn Martin2 REC, 35 YDSVirginia Cavaliers
Recent form
SMU Mustangs
Last 10: 7-3Streak W232.9 scored · 20.5 allowed per game5-0 at home
- W25-16vs Boston College EaglesOct 3
- W34-24vs Missouri State BearsSep 27
- L31-41at Louisville CardinalsSep 19
- W56-10vs UC Davis AggiesSep 12
- W27-24at Florida State SeminolesSep 7
- L35-38at California Golden BearsNov 30
- W38-6vs Louisville CardinalsNov 22
- W45-13at Boston College EaglesNov 8
- W26-20vs Miami HurricanesNov 1
- L12-13at Wake Forest Demon DeaconsOct 25
Virginia Cavaliers
Last 10: 6-4Streak W128.7 scored · 18.2 allowed per game1-1 away
- W28-25vs Syracuse OrangeOct 10
- L7-38at Florida State SeminolesOct 3
- W42-3vs Delaware Blue HensSep 26
- L27-38vs West Virginia MountaineersSep 19
- W59-3vs Norfolk State SpartansSep 11
- W34-8vs NC State WolfpackAug 29
- L20-27vs Duke Blue DevilsDec 7
- W27-7vs Virginia Tech HokiesNov 30
- W34-17at Duke Blue DevilsNov 15
- L9-16vs Wake Forest Demon DeaconsNov 9
Standings
| Team | Overall | In conference |
|---|---|---|
| Miami | 5-0 | 3-0 |
| SMU | 5-1 | 3-1 |
| Wake Forest | 5-1 | 3-1 |
| Clemson | 4-2 | 2-1 |
| Pittsburgh | 5-1 | 2-1 |
| California | 3-3 | 2-1 |
| Virginia | 4-3 | 2-2 |
| Louisville | 3-3 | 2-2 |
| Georgia Tech | 2-3 | 1-1 |
| Duke | 4-1 | 1-1 |
| North Carolina | 3-2 | 1-1 |
| Virginia Tech | 4-2 | 1-2 |
| Florida State | 3-3 | 1-2 |
| NC State | 3-3 | 1-2 |
| Stanford | 2-4 | 1-3 |
| Boston College | 2-3 | 0-2 |
| Syracuse | 2-3 | 0-3 |
Box score
| Stat | Virginia Cavaliers | SMU Mustangs |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 13 | 23 |
| Third downs | 4-13 | 4-13 |
| Fourth downs | 2-3 | 4-5 |
| Total yards | 258 | 404 |
| Net passing yards | 137 | 246 |
| Completions | 13/22 | 23/36 |
| Yards per pass | 6.2 | 6.8 |
| Rushing yards | 121 | 158 |
| Rushing attempts | 32 | 33 |
| Yards per rush | 3.8 | 4.8 |
| Penalties | 4-35 | 6-45 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 0 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:01 | 30:59 |
Win probability
Above the line favours SMU Mustangs, below favours Virginia Cavaliers.
Venue
- Gerald J. Ford StadiumDallas, TX
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