Now in the ACC, No. 17 SMU faces old SWC foe Baylor in Week 2 of the 2025 college football season, reuniting the two Texas programs for the first time since 2016.
Both teams have conference title aspirations with explosive offenses, but who has the upper hand? Our SMU-Baylor preview has the latest grades, records, and predictions ahead of the anticipated Texas showdown.
SMU vs. Baylor Details
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025
- Game Time: Noon ET
- Location: Gerald J. Ford Stadium | Dallas, Tex.
- Predicted Weather at Kick: 91°, Overcast, 8 mph winds
- How to Watch: The CW Network, FUBO
SMU vs. Baylor Head-to-Head Record
This will be the first meeting between SMU and Baylor since 2016. The Bears lead the all-time series 39-36-7 and carry a 13-game winning streak into Saturday.
The Mustangs haven’t topped 27 points against Baylor since their last win in 1986, when they earned a 27-21 victory in Waco.
SMU vs. Baylor Grades
Below are the latest PFSN team and player grades for SMU vs. Baylor. The grades are from Week 1 of the 2025 college football season, showcasing the most impactful players at each position.
PFSN College OFFi
- SMU (79.84, C+)
- Baylor (78.47, C+)
PFSN College DEFi
- SMU (85.28, B)
- Baylor (70.52, C-)
PFSN College OLi
- SMU (62.82, D-)
- Baylor (75.1, C)
PFSN College QBi
- Kevin Jennings, SMU (69.2, D+)
- Sawyer Robertson, Baylor (75.9, C)
PFSN College RBi
- SMU (N/A)
- Baylor (N/A)
PFSN College WRi
- Romello Brinson, SMU (76.53, C)
- Baylor (N/A)
PFSN College TEi
- Matthew Hibner, SMU (67.84, D+)
- Michael Trigg, Baylor (83.16, B)
PFSN College EDGEi
- Isaiah Smith, SMU (67.6, D+)
- Emar’rion Winston, Baylor (73.57, C)
PFSN College DTi
- Jeffrey M’ba, SMU (74.34
- Devonte Tezino, Baylor (76.97, C)
PFSN College LBi
- Brandon Booker, SMU (72.83, C-)
- Keaton Thomas, Baylor (86.15, B)
PFSN College CBi
- Javion Holiday, SMU (85.82, B)
- Baylor (N/A)
PFSN College SAFi
- Ahmaad Moses, SMU (81.96, B-)
- Devyn Bobby, Baylor (80.67, B-)
SMU vs. Baylor Prediction
SMU had the more leisurely ride in Week 1, defeating Texas A&M-Commerce 42-13 to open its campaign. The opposite can be said for Baylor, who were beaten by Auburn 38-24 — the Tigers may have even set the blueprint for SMU ahead of Week 2.
Auburn thumped Baylor with its ground game, piling up four rushing touchdowns. Quarterback Jackson Arnold ran for 137 yards and two scores, exposing Baylor’s struggles against mobile quarterbacks. If those issues persist, SMU dual-threat Kevin Jennings could be the difference.
The Bears missed 22 tackles in Week 1, a glaring concern against Jennings, who rushed for 354 yards and five touchdowns in 2024 and is a key factor in why the Mustangs are ranked No. 17 in the AP Week 2 poll.
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SMU is currently a three-point favorite at home in what is expected to be a high-scoring game. DraftKings has the over line set at 64.5, the second-highest line of Week 2.
That is unsurprising. On top of SMU’s potent rushing game, Baylor’s offensive trio of QB Sawyer Robertson, RB Bryson Washington, and WR Josh Cameron has the talent to light up any defense. The game has all the makings for a shootout in Texas and has the potential to be the game of the week.
Prediction: SMU 31, Baylor 28
