(Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

Two non-conference losses to in-state opponents have SMU on the outside looking in at the Top 25.

And yet, the Mustangs are very much looking like a force once again in their second season in the Atlantic Coast Conference. With last week's win at Clemson, SMU (5-2, 3-0 ACC) has won all 11 regular-season conference games since becoming a member.

The Mustangs are one of just three teams with an unblemished ACC record, along with No. 7 Georgia Tech and No. 16 Virginia, after Miami and Duke lost last week.

SMU looks to keep that momentum rolling with another road trip to face Wake Forest (4-2, 1-2) in Winston Salem, N.C., on Saturday.

'If we can keep stacking those wins, much like last year, you'll look up at the end and see, 'Oh, we're going into November and we're in contention,'' SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said. 'That's the goal.'

SMU's Kevin Jennings has shifted from being a dual-threat quarterback to a pocket passer this season. He has just 25 rushing yards but is tied for the ACC lead with 17 touchdown passes and is second in passing yards (1,948).

He played through an ankle injury last week, throwing for 290 yards and two touchdowns in the 35-24 victory at Clemson, and Lashlee said he's expected to be fine for this week.

'(Jennings) is a tremendous player,' Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert said. '... Plays tremendous off-script and just flicks the ball and finds guys late, makes big explosive plays.'

Coming off a bye week, Wake Forest has bounced back with consecutive road victories at Virginia Tech and Oregon State since a heartbreaking 30-29 overtime loss to Georgia Tech on Sept. 27.

Starting QB Robby Ashford missed the last game due to a thumb injury. Deshawn Purdie rose to the occasion, throwing four touchdown passes -- the program's most in a game since 2022 -- in a 39-14 rout of the Beavers.

Dickert said Ashford has been back at practice in a limited capacity this week, but the coach was non-committal about his potential availability for Saturday.

--Field Level Media