SMU’s transition from a Group of Five conference to the prestigious Power Four has proven to be exceptionally beneficial. The Mustangs (8-1) not only secured a spot at No. 13 in The Associated Press college football poll, their best ranking in 39 years, but they also boast a perfect record of 5-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) after their impressive 48-25 victory over Pittsburgh on Saturday.
With three regular-season games still to play, SMU has solidified its position in the race for both the ACC championship and a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff. Their only setback this season was a narrow three-point loss to Big 12 frontrunner BYU, and they are expected to be the second-highest ranked team in the ACC when the first College Football Playoff Top 25 is revealed on Tuesday, behind the undefeated, No. 4-ranked Miami.
“We appreciate being ranked in the AP and coaches’ polls; it’s a significant achievement for our program, especially in our first year in the ACC,” stated head coach Rhett Lashlee. “However, the real test will come Tuesday night when we find out what the committee thinks of us. We recognize there’s still much to play for in these last three games.”
The Mustangs are on a bye this week, but their upcoming schedule includes home games against Boston College and California, along with a trip to Virginia. Each of these teams currently holds losing records in the ACC.
Previously, SMU played for 11 seasons in the American Athletic Conference, finishing undefeated in league play last year and winning the championship game against Tulane before falling to Boston College in the Fenway Bowl. Their 11 victories in 2022 were the most since the legendary “Pony Express” team accomplished the same feat in 1982.
The Atlantic Coast Conference extended an invitation to SMU, alongside California and Stanford, in a major expansion announced in September 2023. This invitation was celebrated by SMU as a resurgence into elite competition, a far cry from their struggles since the collapse of the Southwest Conference in 1995. Their problems began with the infamous NCAA “death penalty” in 1987 due to significant rule violations, halting program activities until its revival in 1989.
The Mustangs’ high-scoring offense has been dazzling, averaging 40 points per game and amassing over 450 total yards in each of their ACC contests. Quarterback Kevin Jennings has made headlines with touchdown passes exceeding 80 yards in three consecutive games, while Miami transfer Brashard Smith contributes significantly by averaging 100 rushing yards per game. Additionally, the Mustangs’ defense ranks among the top in the conference.
“This signifies that SMU belongs at this level and can compete effectively,” Lashlee added. “We still have a long way to go and have not accomplished everything yet, but we are in a position to contend for the ACC championship in our debut season. A lot of credit goes to our players and coaching staff for this achievement.”
Turning to five teams in the Top 25:
No. 1 Oregon
Oregon remains a dominating force, holding the No. 1 spot for the third consecutive week as a unanimous choice. With a perfect 9-0 record—an achievement they have only matched twice before—they recently showcased their prowess with a commanding 38-17 victory over Michigan. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel, a Heisman Trophy contender, led a well-rounded attack that outgained the Wolverines 470 to 270, and the Ducks converted 10 of 15 third downs. Their next challenge is at home against Maryland.
No. 4 Miami
The Hurricanes have kept things thrilling, as evidenced by their 53-31 win over Duke. This marks the third instance this season where they’ve recovered from a double-digit deficit in the second half. Miami is enjoying its best start in seven years and is ranked at its highest since 2017, with quarterback Cam Ward passing for 400 yards and five touchdowns, tying the school’s single-season touchdown record with 29.
No. 8 Indiana
Indiana is achieving new heights with a historic 9-0 start, the longest winning streak in the program’s history. Despite trailing 10-0 early against Michigan State, they bounced back to claim a 47-10 victory, with quarterback Kurtis Rourke demonstrating full recovery from a past thumb injury.
No. 16 Mississippi
The Rebels outdid their usual offensive exploits in a wild 63-31 win over Arkansas, matching their record high point total against an SEC foe. They eclipsed 694 total yards and achieved a record-setting 562 passing yards in a single game. Quarterback Jaxson Dart threw for 515 yards and six of Ole Miss’ seven touchdown passes. Meanwhile, their defense rose to the occasion with eight sacks, boosting their total to a nation-leading 41.
No. 25 Louisville
After a rough patch that saw them lose three of four games following a 3-0 start, Louisville has regrouped, winning two straight, including a crucial 33-21 victory at Clemson—marking their first win against the Tigers in history. Isaac Brown was notable, rushing for 156 yards on 20 carries and securing a crucial 45-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Cardinals (6-3, 4-2) currently sit fifth in the ACC, with their conference schedule concluding at Stanford and a home matchup against Pittsburgh before a nonconference rivalry game against Kentucky.
Extra Points
Miami, Indiana, and Army have yet to face a ranked opponent while maintaining their unbeaten statuses. Indiana and Army are poised to clash with Top 25 teams on November 23, with Indiana visiting Ohio State and Army taking on Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium. Additionally, Miami could face a ranked Syracuse on November 30, should the Orange win their next three games to reach a 9-2 record. … Oregon’s matchup with Michigan represented the 19th occasion a ranked team faced the defending national champion, with the top-ranked team winning 12 of those encounters. … Army’s No. 18 ranking is its highest since October 1, 1962, when only 10 teams were ranked. The Black Knights fell out of the rankings after a loss to Michigan and did not return until 1985.
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