The SMU Mustangs are going on the road for the first time since Week 0 – taking their 4-1 record with them. Saturday’s matchup against Louisville gives the Mustangs a shot at a win against an opponent ranked in the top 25.

Louisville will try to put a stop to SMU’s blazing hot offense, which has averaged 52 points per game over the last two weeks. Louisville, now 3-1, is fresh off of a 31-24 loss to No. 16 Notre Dame. The loss resulted in the Cardinals dropping from No. 15 to No. 22.

If SMU wants to notch its first road win against an ACC opponent this weekend, there are several Cardinals stars they’ll need to shut down. Here are five players that could give SMU fits on Saturday.

Quarterback Tyler Shough

Louisville starter Tyler Shough is in his seventh year of collegiate football after first joining the Oregon Ducks in 2018, then transferring to Texas Tech in 2021. A veteran with over 675 pass attempts in his career so far, Shough threw his first interception of the 2024 season in the team’s narrow loss to Notre Dame in Week 4.

The Arizona native has a completion percentage of 65% through four games. He just eclipsed 1,100 yards on Saturday, and is currently ranked the 12th most efficient passer in the nation. Shough is averaging 278.5 passing yards per game, which ranks 21st in the nation, and he has 11 touchdown passes. Though he’s not much of a runner, Shough knows when to scramble. He has taken just four sacks so far this year.

Running back Isaac Brown (& Co.)

Though the Louisville offense is more pass-heavy than run-heavy, they are one of the more successful teams in the country when they do put the ball in the hands of their running backs. Led by two freshmen, Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown, the Cardinals running backs are averaging 5.67 yards per carry, good for 24th in the nation. 

Isaac Brown sits atop the stat sheet with 29 carries and 245 yards, along with a score. He’s also caught eight passes, including one for a touchdown.

Wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks

A senior wide receiver out of Florida, Ja’Corey Brooks is Shough’s favorite target this season. He’s caught 22 passes, which is 13 more than any other Louisville receiver through four games. Brooks, who transferred from Alabama for 2024, has 368 receiving yards and a career-high of four touchdowns. 

Though Brooks is Shough’s favorite target, the quarterback has no trouble spreading the ball around. He’s found 14 other players for at least two or more receptions so far.

Linebacker Stanquan Clark

Second-year Cardinals defender Stanquan Clark leads his unit through four games with 22 tackles, including 14 solo tackles. He also has a forced fumble. His staunch defending has helped Louisville rank in the top 15 in rushing defense, allowing just 2.83 yards per rush by their opponents. 

The Cardinals defense is one of the best overall in the country, giving up just 16 points per game. Notre Dame found a way to break through, however, scoring more than 16 points in one quarter last weekend.

Edge rusher Tramel Logan

Louisville, currently averaging 2.5 sacks per game, is led up front by USF transfer Tramel Logan. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge rusher has three sacks in four games, which is already a career-high, as well as one forced fumble. He’s up to 12 tackles, including six solo, this season, which is his fifth in collegiate football.

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