Kirk Herbstreit sings praise on SMU's atmosphere, meaning to matchup vs. Pitt

ESPN College GameDay might not have shown up to SMU this week for the Top 20 matchup against Pitt, but the crew praised the Mustangs in a big way. Analyst Kirk Herbstreit heaped praise on the atmosphere expected in Gerald J. Ford Stadium Saturday night.

"Don't sleep on the atmosphere at SMU and how big of a deal this is," Herbstreit said. "It's fun to see the Ponies back on a national scale."

After SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings turned the ball over as much as he did against Duke, it's natural to see Pitt's defense circled as a group that can capitalize. ESPN's Pat McAfee did say to keep an eye on the Mustangs, if they can get the job done Saturday night.

"The Sharks (Pitt's linebacker group) will certainly hunt if you give it to them," McAfee said, "but like with SMU and his modern NIL world, a lot of money down there in North Dallas. If they start winning, they'll start buying in, they've got a real shot."

When it came to picking the game , Desmond Howard and McAfee picked Pitt while Herbstreit, Nick Saban, Lee Corso, and guest picker Keegan-Michael Key picked SMU.

"I think Pat Narduzzi's done the best job of anybody in college football making a turnaround, but I like SMU in this game," Saban added on the game.

"This is a coin flip game for me," Herbstreit said. "I really think the home field and do not underestimate SMU's defense. They're really good against the run, they've created 17 turnovers. I'm going with SMU at home there."

SMU and Pitt kick off at 7 p.m. CT on ACC Network in a battle of teams undefeated in league play, hoping to cement themselves as conference championship and College Football Playoff contenders.