North Texas @ SMU preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2016 ) Southern Methodist 34, North Texas 21

SMU head coach Chad Morris said going into the season opener that this might be the best Mustangs team he has coached -- and it's hard to argue with his assertion, at least after one game. SMU looks for a second straight one-sided victory as it tangles with visiting North Texas on Saturday night.

Morris' Mustangs dominated in every facet of their curtain raiser, trouncing Stephen F. Austin 58-14 behind a 465-219 edge in total yards and a pair of defensive touchdowns from junior defensive back Jordan Wyatt. "We're not as good a football team as we're going to be, but we're the best we've ever been since I've been here," Morris told reporters after the game. "I'm extremely proud to say that." The Mean Green are coming off an equally impressive 59-14 triumph over Lamar. North Texas racked up a school-record 668 yards in the rout while getting six combined scores from quarterback Mason Fine and running back Jeffery Wilson.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: SMU -13

ABOUT NORTH TEXAS (1-0): Fine threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns while Wilson took home Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week honors after rumbling for 176 rushing yards and three scores in just one half. His contribution was the highlight of a relentless ground attack that finished with an absurd 436 yards, prompting head coach Seth Littrell to say afterward: "Those running backs played at a physical, high level. "We're excited about that group." Nic Smith became the first North Texas freshman to rush for more than 100 yards since Jamario Thomas in 2007.

ABOUT SMU (1-0): Wyatt had a first half to rival Smith's, returning an interception 85 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter and pouncing on a fumble in the end zone in the second quarter to capture the AAC Defensive Player of the Week award. The offense spread the wealth, with Ben Hicks throwing for 112 yards and two touchdowns and Rafe Peavy adding 110 passing yards and a score on just three attempts. D.J. Gillins chipped in 34 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the first game of his collegiate career.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The 44-point win was SMU's largest margin of victory since 2012.

2. Wilson sits seventh in school history in rushing touchdowns (19) and ninth in rushing yards (2,166).

3. North Texas is one win shy of 500 in program history.

PREDICTION: SMU 38, North Texas 27