Best / Worst Case Record for :
Louisville | Virginia | Miami | Duke | Georgia Tech | Boston College | Pittsburgh | Florida State | Virginia Tech | Cal | NC State | Clemson | Syracuse | North Carolina | Stanford| Wake Forest
SMU
SMU came to the ACC in 2024 as a solid program from the American Athletic Conference. They haven’t lost a beat, averaging 10 wins the last in the last 2 years. SMU has wins over TCU and Arizona outside the ACC, a CFP appearance, and a win over a Miami team that finished #2 in the country. Rhett Lashlee is an outstanding coach and has become one of the best spokespersons for the ACC nationally. They have outside funding, a great coach, and have been a consistent winner the last few years. This season looks no different, as they are a consensus top 3 ACC pick and pre-season darkhorse CFP team. We haven’t even gotten to what they are bringing back at quarterback with Kevin Jennings.
Will Go 11-1 (9-0) if:
They beat both Florida State and Louisville in September. SMU doesn’t have a brutal schedule, but there are real challenges. In September, the Mustangs play at FSU and Louisville in the first 3 weeks of the season. The Noles are desperate for a win, and that’s a Labor Day night game. We saw what FSU could do against Alabama in a 1 game situation last year. Louisville is expected to be one of the top contenders in the ACC, and that’s a difficult road game. Survive those 2 games, and SMU should be favored in every game the rest of the season outside of a massive game at Notre Dame. Kevin Jennings is one of the top returning QBs in the ACC, and he’s seen it all from winning at Clemson to ACCCG and CFP playoff appearances. The defense has to improve from 89th in the country for SMU to be a true CFP candidate, because the offense should be very good.
Will Go 8-4 (6-3) if:
If the defense isn’t better than last year. SMU lost several games last year when the defense just collapsed later in the game. What was a fine 9-4 (6-2) season could have been a 12-1 type year. SMU could struggle early out of the gate to a 1-2 start if they lose to FSU and Louisville. Then there is still the game at Notre Dame, plus if they slip up elsewhere maybe at Syracuse or Stanford, or a home game with Virginia, Virginia Tech, or Cal. I’m really not worried about the offense with Jennings, and transfer RB Kendrick Raphael, who was great at Cal. SMU’s defense will define the season.
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