UNIVERSITY PARK -- You can talk about the missed opportunities, of which there were several. But if you want to get to the root of SMU's failed upset attempt against CFP No. 18 Central Florida on Saturday, it goes back to something that has plagued the Mustangs for the last four games.
Run defense.
The Knights rushed for 203 yards on 36 carries en route to a 31-24 victory over the Mustangs.
The loss dropped SMU to 6-3 on the season and 3-2 in American Conference play. Now if SMU is to win the West Division, it will need victories in its final three games of the season and hope that Houston loses one more time down the homestretch.