DALLAS – Will BYU pull off the upset against SMU? The official score will be announced Friday night at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Until then, we can check out a simulation of how the game will play out on EA Sports College Football 25.

We’re using the sticks to predict a BYU football game for the second week in a row. Last week, the video game predicted BYU would beat Southern Illinois 42-39.

The game was close on BYU’s offensive output, as the Cougars finished with 41 points, but they were wrong on the defensive performance. BYU held the Salukis to 13 points.

BYU/SMU Simulation on EA Sports College Football 25

Remember, I’m letting the game play out without any user interaction. I’ve modified BYU’s uniforms to show what they’ll be wearing Friday night. They’re going for an All-White combo with a navy helmet and white facemask.

I chose the Mustangs standard home kit, as SMU’s new red kit was not seen in the game.

On the personnel side, Jake Retzlaff was the full-time starting quarterback. I also promoted Mata’ava Ta’ase to second-string tight end.

For SMU’s quarterback situation, I gave Preston Stone the whole game. But the Mustangs have shown that they can play Stone the first two drives and then bring in Kevin Jennings for drives three and four of a given game.

That was not part of the simulation.

BYU’s overall rating entering the matchup is 80, compared to SMU’s 87. The Cougars are 75 on offense and 80 on defense. SMU’s offense is 85, and its defense is 82.

Jakob Robinson does Jakob Robinson things in a simulation of #BYU against SMU.#CFB25 #BYUFootball photo.twitter.com/Gkexqa2XZA

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2024

First quarter

BYU’s offense had one drive in the first quarter, a three-and-out. SMU controlled the time of possession. But with 2:58 left in the quarter, SMU, on BYU’s 41-yard line, elected to try it on 4th & 3.

BYU star cornerback Jakob Robinson intercepted the pass and ran it to the house for a 69-yard touchdown to open the scoring.

BYU 7, SMU 0

Second quarter

SMU opened the second quarter with an early two-yard touchdown run to tie the game.

The second quarter was a defensive battle until 3:19 left when SMU scored a run, giving BYU the ball at midfield.

BYU QB Jake Retzlaff began to settle in and find his rhythm in the passing game. Retzlaff connected with Kody Epps on two passes. Then Retzlaff found Keanu Hill in the endzone near the sideline for a 17-yard touchdown pass.

Officials reviewed the completion to see if Hill stepped out of bounds. After review, the call was upheld on the field and BYU was back ahead, 14-7, with 1:25 remaining.

Preston Stone and the SMU offense picked up the pace and put together a two-minute drive. They put together an 85-yard drive in 1:03, capped off by a seven-yard touchdown grab by Jake Bailey to tie the score.

BYU had 95 yards (47 passing, 48 rushing) of total offense at halftime, compared to 225 yards (177 passing, 48 rushing) for SMU.

Halftime: BYU 14, SMU 14

Third quarter

The third quarter saw momentum build for SMU as the Mustangs mounted drives that would reach BYU territory, but the Cougars’ defense found ways to stop them.

The game turned at 5:47 in the quarter.

SMU DT Mike Lockhart caught Retzlaff on his blindside and knocked the football loose. Lockhart picked up the ball at the 15-yard line and ran to the BYU one-yard line. One play later, SMU drove in a run for a score to take its first lead.

Retzlaff had a quick answer, finding an open Kody Epps up the middle for a 50-yard touchdown pass.

After the touchdown, BYU’s defense forced a three-and-out, giving the offense a chance to take the lead. SMU forced BYU into a three-and-out.

The Mustangs took advantage and regained the lead on a four-yard touchdown run from Jaylan Knighton.

BYU’s offense needed a different answer. The crowd grew rowdy as BYU took the field.

Jake Retzlaff threw a pass to the sticks intended for Chase Roberts on the first play of the drive. SMU’s Jahari Rogers jumped into the passing lane and intercepted the ball for a 20-

BYU’s next series had the same result. On second down, Retzlaff passed to Roberts and Rogers picked up the ball again for another pick-six.

SMU 42, BYU 21

Fourth quarter

Despite the large deficit, BYU did not give up. The offense put together another drive, ending with a 39-yard touchdown pass from Retzlaff to Chase Roberts.

BYU’s defense couldn’t stop the next possession. SMU took a snap shot from Stone to Romello Brinson for a 62-yard touchdown, putting the Mustangs back up by 21 points.

BYU scored again on a three-yard touchdown pass from Retzlaff to Hinckley Ropati with 2:41 left.

The BYU staff opted for an onside kick despite having all three timeouts and the two-minute warning. SMU recovered the onside kick, earned a first down and settled for a field goal attempt from 51 yards.

The kicker missed the attempt, giving BYU another possession with 1:47 remaining. The drive stalled around the SMU 45-yard line, however, as BYU failed to score on 4th & 19.

BYU suffered its first loss of the simulated season on College Football 25.

A pass-happy second half gave Jake Retzlaff’s passing stats a big boost. The redshirt junior finished with 357 yards on 24-of-37 passing, four touchdowns and two costly interceptions, which made the difference.

SMU’s Preston Stone finished with 310 passing yards on 18 of 26, two touchdowns and one interception.

BYU’s ground attack was non-existent against SMU. The Cougs’ leading rusher was Hinckley Ropati, with nine carries for 55 yards. L.J. Martin had eight carries for 21 yards.

Micah Harper led BYU in tackles with 10 and Harrison Taggart had nine. BYU finished the game with zero sacks.

Final exam: SMU 49, BYU 35.#BYUFootball photo.twitter.com/RwZKCz4L9m

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) September 3, 2024

FINALSim score on EA Sports College Football 25: SMU 49, BYU 35

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (12-3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU in the Big 12 Conference on X: @Mitch_Harper.

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