The Mustangs' impressive play extends to the defense as well. They allow the fourth-fewest rushing yards per game and are tied for the seventh-fewest rushing touchdowns allowed. Forcing Drew Allar to beat this team as a passer is SMU’s best chance at winning.

Penn State won’t be the only team that runs onto the field at Beaver Stadium carrying the weight of history. SMU was a national power in the early 1980s — the Mustangs went 11-0-1 in 1982 only to finish No. 2 behind undefeated Penn State — before a pay-for-play scheme led the NCAA to give the program the death penalty.