North Texas at SMU

North Texas revamped its entire defense after finishing last in the country last year in yards and points allowed. Coach Seth Littrell hired a whole new defensive staff and went to a 4-3 set. And although it's only one game, it appears to have paid dividends in a 44-14 win over Northwestern State in the opener. The Mean Green do return eight starters on the defensive side, including leading tackler KD Davis, who recorded 75 tackles last season. SMU returns nine defensive starters and trounced Abilene Christian, 56-9, last out as the game stayed UNDER by a point. Tanner Mordecai completed 24 of 30 for 317 yards and 7 touchdowns with no interceptions against the Wildcats. The Mustangs have an experienced offensive line, and they are 17-6 straight up the last two seasons, which is their best two-year span since 1983-84. Mordecai likely won't throw seven TD passes again as his team now faces an FBS school, but the Mustangs have enough to cover the big number. North Texas is 3-13 ATS its last 16 games as an underdog and 7-22 ATS its last 29 overall. The UNDER is 14-5 following a win, and the Mean Green is 13-5 UNDER on the road. SMU has also stayed UNDER five of six home games. I have two picks on this game. Play SMU to cover and the UNDER for a Max Play.