Virginia Tech football vs SMU: Preview, odds, how to watch

The Virginia Tech Hokies head back on the road this week for an important Friday night ACC clash against the SMU Mustangs in Dallas.

It’s a battle between a pair of 6-2 teams, with the Mustangs holding a 4-2 mark in ACC play, while the Hokies are 3-2. SMU was ranked 19th last week, before going on the road and being shocked by Syracuse, 30-27.

Meanwhile, Virginia Tech is coming off a bye week after going on the road two weeks ago and picking up a massive win at Clemson. It’s one of the most important wins for the Hokies in years. Quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer found tight end Luke Reynolds on fourth down with under two minutes remaining for the go-ahead touchdown. Then, Brent Pry’s defense shut the door on a Clemson comeback.

Here’s a closer look at this week’s game between the Mustangs and Hokies.

3 Mustangs to know

• QB Kevin Jennings: They don’t come more experienced than Kevin Jennings. He’s played in 47 games for SMU, including 34 starts. Jennings has also helped SMU win a lot of games. He’s a career 67% passer with 88 total touchdowns. He also doesn’t turn the ball over a lot. Jennings has also taken better care of the football this season. While Jennings is a passer first, he’s the type of quarterback who has given Virginia Tech fits with his legs.
• RB Kendrick Raphael: The senior running back is playing for his third ACC team (NC State, Cal, SMU). He’s having a terrific season, with 692 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns. Virginia Tech coach James Franklin shared his concerns about Raphael earlier this week. Obvously, the Hokies would prefer to slow down Raphael without bringing extra bodies in the box, because that only makes Jennings more dangerous as a passer.
• DE Marques White: Franklin is concerned about SMU’s front with its size and athleticism. The Hokies are expected to get two veteran offensive linemen back for Friday’s game, which should help. Marques White is the name to watch. He leads the Mustangs with 5.5 sacks. SMU has two 300-pounders in the middle of the defensive line who can move, which will be a problem for VT’s offensive line.

3 keys to victory

• Make Jennings earn every yard: Franklin said it best. The Hokies need to make Jennings go through his progressions, that means a solid pass rush and good coverage on the back end. If the Hokies can’t get pressure on Jennings, he could have a big day. SMU has 7 players with 14 or more receptions, 9 players with 111 or more receiving yards. This is a dangerous offense. It all begins with Jennings.
• Run the ball: Too often this season, the Hokies have struggled to get the run going. They have the backs, with Jeff Overton and Marcellous Hawkins. SMU is 42nd in run defense, but opponents averaged only 3.8 yards per attempt. The Hokies must find a way to run the ball.
• Get Luke Reynolds involved early: When the Hokies make Reynolds the focus of the offense early, good things follow. It opens things up for Overton, Ayden Greene, Que’Sean Brown and makes life easier for Grunkemeyer. If Tech can get opponents to dedicate more help toward Reynolds, that creates one-on-one opportunites for Brown, Greene and Fatrat Brown. VT must make its offense go through Reynolds.

How to watch, betting odds

• When: Friday, November 6, 2026
• Where: Gerald J. Ford Stadium, Dallas, Texas
• Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN
• Announcers: Mike Monoco (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst) and Dana Boyle (sideline)
• Radio: Virginia Tech Sports Network Radio. You can find a list of affiliates Virginia Tech football vs SMU: Preview,.
• Streaming options: fuboTV [try it free]
• Series history: This will only be the fourth meeting ever between these schools, and the first since SMU entered the ACC in 2024. SMU holds a 2-1 advantage, with all three games occurring from 1972-74.
• Odds: SMU is a 5.5-point favorite, per FanDuel.