James Madison @ SMU preview

SMU already has clashed with two of the best teams in the nation this season, so Saturday's game against visiting James Madison should give the Mustangs a welcome opportunity to catch their breath. SMU lost to No. 2 TCU and No. 4 Baylor this month - surrendering 56 points in each game - but only trailed TCU by five midway through the fourth quarter in last weekend's 56-37 loss.

The Mustangs have one of the more effective dual-threat quarterbacks in Matt Davis, who once backed up Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M and now leads SMU in rushing by a wide margin. Freshman receiver Courtland Sutton is off to a strong start with 12 receptions for 262 yards and four touchdowns while the much smaller Ryheem Malone has emerged as the team's second option. Both supplanted Prescott Line and Deion Sanders Jr., who have combined for one catch this season after totaling 33 last year. James Madison quarterback Vad Lee played his first two seasons at Georgia Tech but wasn't a fan of the triple option and transferred to the Dukes, whom he has helped to their first 3-0 start since 2010.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: OFF

ABOUT JAMES MADISON (3-0): All three of the victories by the Dukes this season have come by at least 14 points, helping them move into the top 10 in both major FCS polls. James Madison already has put up 1,956 yards of total offense, scored 153 points and recorded 100 first downs, all of which rank first in the FCS. Khalid Abdullah and Cardon Johnson both have rushed for more than 300 yards this season, which should help keep the Mustangs guessing defensively. On the defensive side of the ball, lineman Cornell Urquhart has produced three sacks through the first three games, but he'll need to be wary of Davis' ability to run the ball.

ABOUT SMU (1-2): The Mustangs have a solid two-back combo in freshmen Xavier Jones and Braeden West, but together they've still rushed for fewer yards than Davis. Horace Richardson has notched two of the four interceptions by SMU this season, as many as he registered all of last year, while defensive end Justin Lawler has 2 1/2 of the team's five sacks. Andrew McCleneghen also has been a force on the defensive side of the ball, forcing two fumbles and producing a sack. Chad Hedlund took over the kicking duties this season after transferring from Wake Forest and has been perfect thus far, making all four field-goal attempts and all 11 extra points.

EXTRA POINTS

1. SMU is giving up an average of 102.7 rushing yards through the first three games after surrendering 186.2 last season.

2. James Madison is 4-19 all-time against FBS teams.

3. James Madison are trying for a 4-0 start for the first time since 1978.

PREDICTION: SMU 48, James Madison 10