​Put some respect on that SMU football name.SMU joining the ACC was considered a total afterthought when it bought its way into the Power Four high-society two years ago.Okay, very nice, the small private school in Dallas will add a sliver of a divided media market, it’ll give it the old college try, and …SMU has won 20 games, got to the College Football playoff, and came within a 38-35 loss to Cal away from playing in a second straight ACC Championship with a shot at another CFP appearance.Nov 29, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; Southern MethodistMustangsquarterbackKevin Jennings(7) throws a pass against theCalifornia Golden Bearsduring the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium.© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images(© Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)Since moving over from the American, how many ACC programs have won more games than SMU?Clemson? Nope. 17 wins. Louisville? Nah – 18, the same as Duke. Florida State? PLEASE – seven wins. To get there faster, only one team has more than SMU’s 20 victories. Miami with 23 wins.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementEven crazier, five of the seven losses over the last two seasons were each by three points or fewer.And totally lost in the fog of last season was a win over Miami and a blowout over Louisville.(To go off the rails, had SMU not lost 38-35 at Cal in the regular season finale, it would’ve played Virginia in the ACC Championship, and the winner would’ve been in the College Football Playoff and James Madison would’ve been out.)Now in Year Three of life in the ACC, head coach Rhett Lashlee has his best team yet.- 2026 SMU Schedule AnalysisHead Coach: Rhett Lashlee (5th year overall: 38-16)Best Case / Worst Case: Win the ACC Championship and go to the CFP/Struggle to get a winning seasonKey Player: Kevin Jennings, QB Sr.2025 Record: 9-4Biggest Question: Do the Mustangs have what it takes to pull off an ACC Championship?SMU points allowed: 1st Quarter 33, 4th Quarter 100Red Zone Score: SMU 40-of-44 (91%), Opponents 33-of-47 (70%)Time of Possession: Opponents 33:07, SMU 26:53The SMU attack wasn’t nearly as dangerous or productive as the 2024 version, but it averaged 32 points and 417 yards per game.It’s a strong attack with a great mix of veterans in key spots, and transfers to fill the holes. There isn’t anything to really fix; it’s just about getting better.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKevin Jennings is still there. It only seems like he started his career handing it off to Eric Dickerson and Craig James.The fifth-year Mustang has been fantastic, with 50 touchdown passes and nine touchdown runs over the last two seasons, and now he needs to take the offense to a whole other level. He’s got too much talent and experience not to crank up even bigger passing numbers, even after pitching a career-high 3,641 yards last seasonThe offensive line will be a plus. The veteran combination of star tackle PJ Williams, 320-pound guard Addison Nichols, and center Joshua Bates is a great way to start