It’s not a certainty, but there’s a very good chance that the weather in the Dallas-Forth Worth area isn’t very good Saturday night.
In the case that swirling winds and heavy rain interrupt the Pitt vs. SMU matchup at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas, the battle between Ben Sauls and Collin Rogers could be more important than expected.
SMU has called upon Rogers often this season, with an ACC-high 19 attempts this season. He’s connected on 14 of his 19 attempts, with a long of 55 yards. He’s somewhat erratic, with misses from 20-29, 40-49 and 50-59, but his 73 points this season are among the best in the country.
Sauls, on the other hand, is the highest-rated kicker in college football by PFF. He’s drilled all 12 of his field goal attempts (with a long of 58 yards) and all 33 of his point-after attempts.
He tied a program record with his 58-yarder against Cal earlier this month, which was the longest field goal by a Pitt kicker at Acrisure Stadium. And with a 49-yarder against Syracuse last week, he set the record for the most consecutive made field goals in program history.
Sauls has showed off the leg strength this season, connecting on all four of his attempts of at least 50 yards.
“He’s the best one I’ve ever been around,” Narduzzi said last week after the win against Syracuse. “I would imagine he’d be up for the Lou Groza. They should just give it to him mid-season. He’s automatic from 57, 58. Doesn’t matter where you put him. He’s been outstanding this entire season.”
He’s showcased a penchant for big kicks on the road, too. He nailed all five of his attempts at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas in 2022 and drilled the game-winner against Cincinnati earlier this season.
The potential conditions aren’t ideal for kickers, but of course, there won’t be any excuses made for the kicker either. It could come down to which kicker is more prepared for the conditions.
Sauls has been perhaps the best kicker in college football this season, and his leg strength — and mental preparation — could be a determining factor.
