After SMU’s win over Montana State, the team had a bye week before this week’s tough road test against Texas A&M;, the number 10 team in the country. SMU Head Coach June Jones believes the bye week has helped SMU prepare for the Aggies.

Texas A&M; is led by quarterback Johnny Manziel, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, who is coming off torching the number one team in the country for 562 yards in their loss.

Manziel’s top target, sophomore Mike Evans, emerged as one of the best receivers in college football after racking up 279 yards last week, an A&M; record against Alabama. SMU will likely match up their top cornerback, Kenneth Acker, against Evans.

The SMU pass rush will have to do a good job containing Manziel from making big plays outside the pocket for the team to have a chance to win.

For the SMU offense, the team will have to convert their redzone opportunities. That falls on the play calling, and quarterback Garrett Gilbert as well, to convert inside the 20.

Gilbert is fourth in the country in passing yards per game and first in completions. He hasn’t thrown an interception, but has only thrown one touchdown.

SMU’s running game has struggled finding an identity this season, but Jones is not going to change the gameplan away from passing the ball a lot to try and keep the Aggies’ offense off the field.

“You’ve got to do what you do. You can’t change midstream otherwise that brings a lot of screw-ups,” Jones said.

SMU will likely be without starting running back Traylon Shead and the carries will now fall to Prescott Line and K.C. Nlemchi, who have struggled a bit so far. Nlemchi did an average 6.8 yards per carry against Montana State.

Ultimately, SMU will have to score early and keep scoring to have a chance, but this game could get out of hand.

Prediction: 62-17 Aggies win.