SMU Returning To Playoff Form Would Be Good For Notre Dame

TL;DR

SMU Mustangs, previously a playoff team, are gaining attention as they prepare for the 2026 season. Their recent performance includes a 9-4 record and a Holiday Bowl victory, indicating potential for a strong comeback.

Key points

SMU has a 20-7 record over the last two seasons
The Mustangs went 11-3 and made the playoffs in 2024
Rhett Lashlee is the head coach of SMU
SMU finished last season with a 9-4 record
They won the Holiday Bowl against Arizona

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SMU Returning To Playoff Form Would Be Good For Notre Dame

One of the most overlooked teams on Notre Dame's schedule nationally are the SMU Mustangs. We're talking about a program that made the 12-team College Football Playoffs before Alabama, LSU, Oklahoma, Michigan and USC. I understand, to a degree, why they're overlooked. It's because they play in the ACC and aren't named Miami or Clemson, but don't let the logo on the helmet fool you. Head coach Rhett Lashlee is building something down in Dallas.

In the last two seasons, SMU has gone 20-7 overall and have a 14-2 record in conference. They went 8-0 in conference play and 11-3 overall in 2024 when they played for the conference title and made the playoffs. This past season, they took a two-game step back and finished 9-4. They went 8-4 in the regular season and beat Arizona 24-19 in the Holiday Bowl to pick up their 9th win.

With that being said, my outlook on the Mustangs this season isn't solely based on what they did in previous years. Some of it has to do with the last two seasons, but it's also because of what they bring back for their 2026 campaign.

Starting quarterback Kevin Jennings returns as the signal caller on offense. In the last two years, Jennings has thrown for 6,886 yards, rushed for 408 yards, thrown 49 touchdowns, rushed for nine and thrown a combined 24 interceptions. The 6-0, 192-pound quarterback started to shake off the rough performance he had against in the playoffs midway through the 2025 season and it started to show.

Q&A

What was SMU's record in the last two seasons?

SMU has a record of 20-7 overall and 14-2 in conference play over the last two seasons.

How did SMU perform in the 2024 season?

In the 2024 season, SMU finished with an 11-3 overall record and went 8-0 in conference play, making the College Football Playoffs.

Who is the head coach of SMU?

The head coach of SMU is Rhett Lashlee, who is building the program in Dallas.

What bowl game did SMU win last season?

SMU won the Holiday Bowl last season, defeating Arizona 24-19.