The Mustangs are one of the teams to watch in 2026, and there could be fireworks routinely for Rhett Lashlee's team.
There is no denying that the SMU Mustangs, under Rhett Lashlee, are one of the teams to watch in the ACC in 2026.
Yes, Miami is the big dog at the table, but the Mustangs have the roster capable of matching it with the best in the conference.
In many preseason polls, SMU got a lot of love, and after back-to-back 11-win seasons before last year's 9-4 record, it is easy to make a case for the Mustangs to be one of the contenders in the conference.
Of course, we know how fickle football can be, and just when you think everything is rolling along nicely, a huge slice of adversity hits.
Still, Lashlee's team has all the tools needed to make some serious noise in 2026, and for most, that is due to the offense, with Kevin Jennings leading the way at quarterback.
And for Bob Ferrante, of the Orlando Sentinel, he thinks that SMU can be a fun offense this upcoming season.
"Kevin Jennings passed for 3,000 yards in back-to-back seasons at SMU," Ferrante wrote. "The Mustangs should be fun to watch on offense, if they can kick-start the run game, but that will be helped by All-ACC linemen in tackle PJ Williams and center Josh Bates. SMU has gone 14-2 in ACC play the past two seasons, which includes a CFP berth in 2024."
The run game is a fascinating watch, and the Mustangs clearly improved in that area this offseason.
Kendrick Raphael came over from California after a 943-yard, 13-TD season and will no doubt bring extra juice to the rushing attack.
Elsewhere, with a stout offensive line and receiver room headlined by Jalen Cooper, Yannick Smith, Yamir Knight, and Theo Melin Ohrstrom, there is plenty to like about the Mustangs' ability to put up enough points to win a lot of football games.
No, it isn't a sure thing that SMU will again be a good offense, but for most, you can feel reasonably safe thinking that you know what you are going to get on a weekly basis. After all, last season they averaged 32.2 points per game.
That is expected to continue in 2026, hence why the offense is likely going to be a fun watch this upcoming season.
