The University of Cincinnati senior quarterback is 2-0 as a starter against the Mustangs and has had his most productive games against them.
"It's just something about the energy, something about the environment," Ridder said on facing SMU. "... We always talk about body blows and which team can take the most. This is a team that we feel like can sit there and take the punches. We just have to beat them now more than we have any other team."
Ridder threw for a career-high 352 yards and two touchdowns in a 26-20 overtime win at SMU as a freshman in 2018.
After an up-and-down start to his junior season, Ridder had a breakout game on national television against the Mustangs last October in Dallas.
Ridder completed 13 of 21 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown and ran for a career-high 179 yards and three more scores.
Ridder sprinted 91 yards for one of his touchdowns. It remains the longest rushing score in UC history.
