CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Kevin Jennings plays quarterback away from the spotlight of the Southeastern Conference and the Big Ten. His season numbers aren’t gaudy because it took him three games to win the starting job.
His SMU Mustangs haven’t played in many prime TV windows this year. So what’s keeping Jennings from staying under the radar nationally? Former Alabama coach Nick Saban repeatedly heaps praise on him during ESPN’s “College GameDay.” “I mean, Coach Saban talks about him every week, so it’s making it hard for him to be slept on,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said this week.
Lashlee made the decision to switch to Jennings early in the season. Starter Preston Stone had gone three-and-out three times in a key early season matchup against BYU, and Jennings was put into the game. He hasn’t lost since.
Now No. 13 SMU heads to Virginia on Saturday needing a victory to clinch a spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game. Because of the ACC’s overall strength this season, and because the Mustangs (9-1, 6-0, No.
14 SMU) didn’t play regular-season games against Miami or Clemson, it’s unlikely they can earn an at-large bid into the College Football Playoff , making a conference title game appearance essential. Lashlee emphasized the importance of keeping the focus on Virginia (5-5, 3-3), noting the Cavaliers’ upset victory against Pittsburgh two weeks ago. Still, that didn’t stop him from dreaming about Jennings’ ceiling next year,.