Arkansas State @ SMU preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2007 ) Southern Methodist 28, Arkansas State 45

Scoring points won't be a problem when Arkansas State travels to SMU on Saturday night. The Red Wolves average 42 points while the host Mustangs average 49.3 points behind strong passing games.

Junior quarterback Justice Hansen, who ranks second nationally with 35 completions per game, has led the Red Wolves to back-to-back games with at least 490 total yards. SMU sophomore quarterback Ben Hicks has thrown for more than 300 yards in consecutive games and tallied eight touchdown passes. The Mustangs defense has recorded eight turnovers and is one of two FBS teams - along with Michigan - to record multiple defensive touchdowns and a safety this season. The Red Wolves have won 12 of their last 13 games against teams from Texas, including a 2007 win against SMU and a 2008 win against Texas A&M.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: SMU -5.5.

ABOUT ARKANSAS STATE (1-1): Hansen (eight touchdown passes, two interceptions) is ranked sixth nationally with 375.5 passing yards after throwing for 2,719 yards and 19 scores last year. Seven different players have caught touchdowns, led by Christian Booker (11 catches, 148 yards, two TDs) and tight end Blake Mack (eight, 62, two). Senior defensive back Blaise Taylor (eight tackles, one INT) is ranked second nationally with a 33-yard average on punt returns with one return touchdown.

ABOUT SMU (2-1): Hicks has completed 48.4 percent of his passes for 729 yards and three interceptions. LSU transfer Trey Quinn (17 catches, 265 yards, two TDs) had a career game against TCU with seven receptions for 116 yards and a score, while Courtland Sutton (11 catches, 185 yards, five TDs, including four in Week 2) was held to one catch for no gain in the loss. Tyeson Neals and Kyran Mitchell each have three sacks as the Mustangs, while Jordan Wyatt has an interception and fumble returned for scores.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Quinn had nine starts during the 2014 and 2015 seasons at LSU, catching a total of 22 passes for 276 yards.

2. SMU is one of six schools with at least 10 red zone chances still perfect in the red zone (six TDs, four field goals).

3. Arkansas State senior DE Ja'Von Rolland-Jones (30.5) needs one sack to tie Larry English (Northern Illinois, 2005-08) and Jeremiah Attaochu (Georgia Tech, 2010-13) for the 19th-most career sacks in FBS history, a list topped by Terrell Suggs' 44 (Arizona State, 2000-02).

PREDICTION: SMU 41, Arkansas State 38