WAKE @ SMU

Wake Forest arrives off a record-setting win

Wake Forest beat Merrimack 77-0 on Nov. 7, 2026, with Steele Pizzella throwing for 432 yards and three touchdowns; because Merrimack is an FCS opponent, the result is not a direct measure of how Wake will fare against SMU.

Lopez's resurgence is worth monitoring

Recent team content says Gio Lopez's Wake Forest resurgence makes him a player to monitor in future performance markets.

SMU's 2026 offense has been productive and efficient

Through nine games in 2026, SMU averaged 37.0 points and 475.8 total yards per game while converting 47.7% of third downs. Kevin Jennings had 2,764 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes in that span, and a recent podcast cited the offense's improving execution.

Wake's passing game faces a notable defensive test

Through Oct. 31, Wake Forest averaged 282.6 passing yards per game, while SMU opponents averaged 193.9 passing yards per game through Nov. 6.

Pick Ideas

Angles drawn from the matchup analysis above and refreshed as the news changes. They are a separate read from the LineCrush pick for this matchup, so the two can land on different sides.

SMU +3, if the number holds

At home, SMU +3 is a reasonable price-sensitive lean if the number holds; a podcast host said, "I'm just really high on their quarterback, Kevin Jennings."

Consider a first-half over at a modest number

If the first-half total is 27.5 or lower, a small over lean targets early scoring; pass if the posted number moves materially higher.