Report: Baylor could get major help with key injury to SMU
With week 1 of college football in the books and week 2 fast approaching, the Baylor Bears will travel to Dallas for a matchup against the 17th-ranked SMU Mustangs. Although the Bears fell short in their home opener, they now have the opportunity to avenge themselves in a clash against a very offensively stout team that has the depth and potential to win the ACC this year.
When looking at the SMU offense, a couple of big names stand out, most notably quarterback Kevin Jennings. Outside of their quarterback, when looking to the Mustangs’’ receiving room, names like Jordan Hudson and Romello Brinson. Following his transfer from TCU, Jordan Hudson displayed his diverse skillset during the 2024-2025 season, and was back for his senior season with the Mustangs. However, during the Mustangs’ week 1 debut, Hudson was forced to leave early in the game with an elbow injury, and is currently slated not to play against the Bears in week 2.
The current expectation is that No. 17 SMU will be without wide receiver Jordan Hudson vs. Baylor tomorrow, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) September 5, 2025
Hudson, the Mustangs’ leading returning receiver from last year, suffered an elbow injury last week. pic.twitter.com/Sqj9DT0iqh
While not having one receiver available does not seem like a big deal, in the framework of this game, that could be the difference between a win and a loss. What Hudson does bring is experience, and not having that on the field will certainly be missed for Kevin Jennings, offensive coordinator Casey Woods, and head coach Rhett Lashlee.
Now transitioning to the Baylor perspective on this loss, to put it briefly, it is huge. Evident by last week’s performance against Auburn, the Bears' defense, specifically their secondary, left a lot to be desired. With one of SMU’s veteran receivers off the field, it eliminates a huge weapon for Baylor defensive coordinator Matt Powledge to have to scheme around. Additionally, it can allow the Baylor secondary to get into more of a rhythm without a game-changer like Hudson on the field to break through coverages.
As always, we will have to wait and see whether the injury will have a significant impact on the game, but in my opinion, the loss of Hudson will certainly be felt within the Mustangs' offense. It could be what was needed for the scales to tip in Baylor's direction.
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Josh started covering Baylor athletics in July 2025. Prior to Baylor Bears on SI, he worked as an intern for TheMichiganInsider at 247Sports. Josh graduated from the University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, with a bachelor’s degree in economics, where his passion for collegiate athletics continued to grow after attending his first game in The Big House. Combining his analytical background and his affinity for collegiate sports, Josh enjoys providing his unique perspective on the shifting dynamic equilibrium of the collegiate athletics landscape. When not watching sports, Josh enjoys cooking a nice meal, running, and traveling to new places with his friends and family.