DALLAS - No. 24 SMU could have a significant advantage when Virginia visits Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Saturday, and it has plenty to do with a growing injury problem that's left the Cavaliers scrambling for healthy players.

The latest ACC football injury report lists 16 Virginia players as "out," with another three doubtful and two questionable. SMU isn't completely healthy, either, but the Mustangs enter the conference showdown with considerably fewer concerns.

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For SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, the timing could be ideal.

Virginia will be without starting cornerback Omillio Agard, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury, while starting safety Brandyn Hillman and defensive back Corey Costner are both listed as doubtful.

That's a potentially devastating combination against an SMU offense averaging 346 passing yards per game.

Virginia coach Tony Elliott acknowledged the physical toll injuries have taken on his team this week.

"It's that time of the year where you knock on wood and you pray you don't get to this point," Elliott said, describing the unavoidable punishment that comes with college football.

The Cavaliers' problems extend beyond the secondary.

Wide receiver Rico Flores Jr. won't play Saturday after suffering a knee injury against Syracuse. Defensive end Devon Baxter is also unavailable following shoulder surgery, while linebacker Caleb Hardy and offensive lineman Alex Payne are questionable.

There is some encouraging news for Virginia. Cornerback Jacobie Henderson and linebacker Maddox Marcellus are expected to play despite dealing with injuries.

SMU's availability report includes eight players ruled out, including wide receivers Carterrious Brown and Daylon Singleton, running backs Dramekco Green and Link Rhodes, and defensive end Ira Singleton IV.

Safety Ahmaad Moses and kicker Nick Reed are questionable.

Jennings, however, isn't on the injury report, giving the Mustangs their most important offensive weapon for a game with considerable ACC implications.

The SMU quarterback has thrown for 1,588 yards this season, helping the Mustangs establish one of the country's most productive passing attacks.

SMU enters Saturday at 4-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play following consecutive victories over Missouri State and Boston College.

Virginia, meanwhile, is 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the ACC after rallying past Syracuse 28-25 last weekend.

The Mustangs have another advantage: home field.

SMU is unbeaten in nine ACC home games since joining the conference in 2024, a streak the Cavaliers will try to end despite their mounting personnel problems.

Still, injuries don't guarantee anything.

Virginia has demonstrated an ability to overcome adversity, and Elliott's team remains firmly in the ACC race.

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But with multiple defensive starters unavailable or unlikely to play, the Cavaliers face a difficult assignment against Jennings and an SMU offense capable of producing explosive plays.

Kickoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. Central Saturday on The CW.

Source: Yahoo Sports