SMU vs. Boston College Preview, Odds, Picks, and Prediction for Saturday, November 8, 2025

On Saturday, the SMU Mustangs will visit the Boston College Eagles for a Week 11 NCAAF game at Alumni Stadium. The Atlantic Coast Conference matchup is scheduled for noon ET.

The Mustangs are 10.5-point spread favorites, and the total is 54 points scored.

This SMU vs. Boston College prediction highlights a Mustangs squad that upset a top-ten Miami (FL) team last week and an Eagles team that is winless since beating Fordham in Week 1. Saturday's game marks the fourth all-time meeting between Southern Methodist and Boston College on the gridiron. SMU leads the series 2-1 and beat BC 38-28 last season in Dallas.

Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NCAAF Predictions.

SMU is coming off one of its biggest wins in program history

SMU (6-3 SU, 3-6 ATS, and 2-7 O/U) beat the Hurricanes 26-20 in overtime last Saturday. The Mustangs are 4-1 in ACC play this season.

Southern Methodist earned its victory over Miami, forcing two turnovers, including a key interception in overtime that set up the game-winning touchdown. In one of the biggest games in program history, the Mustangs relied on hobbled QB Kevin Jennings (leg injury), as the junior moved the football despite lacking a complementary run game (25 carries for 23 yards), passing for 365 yards. Without his efforts, SMU would have been overwhelmed by the U, as the home team could barely move the chains (combined 3-for-14 on third and fourth down). The Hurricanes dominated the time of possession by over 15 minutes, but shot themselves in the foot with penalties (12 for 96 yards) and untimely mistakes.

“We beat who I think is a playoff-caliber team with a national championship-caliber defense,” said SMU coach Rhett Lashlee. “We’re just thankful we found a way to grind it out and win.”

The Oak Cliff, TX native Jennings leads the Mustangs into action with 2,484 passing yards, 18 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He has also rushed for two scores. Jennings' top receiving targets are senior WR Romello Brinson (40 receptions for 582 yards and three TDs) and senior WR Jordan Hudson (37 receptions for 491 yards and three TDs). The Southern Methodist run game is paced by senior RB T.J. Harden (117 carries for 483 yards and six TDs).

SMU scores 30.8 points per game (54th) and averages 388.0 total yards (70th), including 277.0 passing yards (26th) and 111.0 rushing yards (121st). The Mustangs' defense allows 21.2 points (36th) and 402.8 total yards (99th) per game, including 300.2 passing yards (134th) and 102.6 rushing yards (18th).

SMU Mustangs Football Injury Report: Jennings is probable to play against Boston College. DE Cameron Robinson, CB Jaelyn Davis-Robinson, RB Chris Johnson Jr., and DT Kevin Allen are questionable.

Boston College has been more competitive lately

Boston College (1-8 SU, 4-5 ATS, and 5-4 O/U) lost 25-10 to Notre Dame last weekend. The Eagles are last in the ACC football standings with a 0-5 record.

BC hung with ND under the lights in Chestnut Hill last weekend, as it took a late interception followed by a 94-yard touchdown run for the 12th-ranked Fighting Irish to pull away. The Eagles led 12-10 in the third quarter and had a chance to tie the game in the fourth before Adon Shuler intercepted Grayson James inside the Notre Dame 5-yard line. The Irish outgained the Eagles 458-281, as the home team rushed for just 12 yards on 33 carries. Boston College held the football for nearly ten more minutes than Notre Dame, but committed three turnovers and nine penalties.

"Look, I thought these guys fought. I just told them in the locker room, [I’m] really proud of these guys," BC coach Bill O'Brien said. "Just couldn't do anything in the running game on offense."

BC switched quarterbacks mid-season, with senior Grayson James taking the starting job from sophomore Dylan Lonergan. James, who has been dealing with a hip pointer, has passed for 908 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions. He will be QB1 on Saturday against the Mustangs. Boston College's top receiver is senior WR Lewis Bond (64 receptions for 639 yards and one TD), and sophomore RB Turbo Richard (104 carries for 457 yards and five TDs) is the Eagles' leading rusher.

BC scores 24.9 points per game (85th) and averages 361.0 total yards (89th), including 268.9 passing yards (31st) and 92.1 rushing yards (130th). The Eagles' defense surrenders 33.3 points (123rd) and 415.9 total yards (110th) per game, including 253.3 passing yards (105th) and 162.6 rushing yards (89th).

Boston College Eagles Football Injury Report: OL Kevin Cline, OL Eryx Daugherty, RB Turbo Richard, and DL Quintayvious Hutchins are questionable to play against SMU.

SMU vs. Boston College Pick and Preview

Spread Pick for SMU vs. BC

• SMU -10.5 (4 Units)

I have some concerns about the Mustangs — particularly Jennings' health, and this being both a lookahead and letdown spot. However, I'm not confident enough in the Eagles' direction to cast my vote on them. I came away impressed with Jennings' arm and his receivers against the Hurricanes, and I have no doubt the visitors will air it out against a soft BC pass defense. The Mustangs haven't run the football effectively this season, but that hasn't mattered much the way they move the ball through the air.

On the other side of the ball, Boston College could show signs of life early in the game if James is healthy, but the home team's offensive line will be challenged in this matchup. BC has allowed 26 sacks, eighth-most in the country, and SMU has generated a lot of pressure this season, with 25 sacks (ninth-most). The Mustangs' defense has also created a nation-leading 22 takeaways and ranks 11th in havoc created.

I doubt SMU will win by more than two touchdowns, but I bet they will cover the spread on Saturday in Chestnut Hill.

Over/Under Pick for SMU vs. Boston College

• Over 54 (4 Units)

This game has the potential to be high-scoring. Both secondaries have struggled in coverage, ranking 120th (BC) and dead last (SMU) in opponent passing plays of ten-plus yards. Despite their own successful passing offense, the Mustangs have actually been outgained this season, relying on their defense's ability to create turnovers to win football games. Boston College isn't likely to check out emotionally in the Red Bandana game, and after competing with a couple of potential College Football Playoff contenders in Notre Dame and Louisville, I believe they'll come to play on offense. James will have success through the air, and his legs give the Eagles another way to move the football.

Bet on the over at 54!