The Mustangs have all the tools needed to be a thorn in the side of Miami, but there are some who think Rhett Lashlee's team could be a seriosu contender.
The SMU Mustangs have gotten a lot of love this offseason as it pertains to what they could become in 2026.
With Miami the clear favorite in the ACC, the Mustangs, for most, aren't too far behind.
Yes, you have Clemson, Louisville, and NC State as the others who are expected to have good seasons, but the Mustangs, at least in the preseason, have been getting some hopping on their bandwagon.
Rhett Lashlee's team was 9-4 last season, after having two straight 11-win seasons prior, so the Mustangs, as Lashlee said, do have the "staying power" to be a contender year on year.
Of course, a lot can change throughout a college season, but it is clear that SMU has its admirers, with most of its stars returning, namely quarterback Kevin Jennings.
Let's not forget, SMU did win the Holiday Bowl last season, so they are coming off of a good year, but Lashlee has already stated it counts for nothing now.
And for Vaughn Dalzell, who was on NBCSports.com detailing the win totals for the top teams in the ACC via DraftKings (SMU's line is at 8-5), he thinks that the Mustangs could be a sleeper in 2026.
"I look at an underrated sleeper that could catch Miami, and that's the SMU Mustangs," Dalzell said on NBCsports.com. "They get Kevin Jennings back at quarterback, got an experienced O-line, probably the best ACC schedule. Everything sets up for this SMU team to have nine-plus wins this year."
Now, having won at least nine games in each of the past three seasons, the Mutangs have hit the over on their projected win total for 2026.
With Dalzell citing the Mustangs having four straight home games, back-to-back home games later in the year, and avoiding Miami, Pittsburgh, Georgia Tech, and NC State.
So, if the football gods play nice and the Mustangs have a good run with injuries, while taking the step in their development many expect, there is every reason to think that the 2026 season could be rather fruitful for Lashlee and his staff.
Of course, this is only a projection, and all it takes is one injury or bad game, and the season could be derailed.
But right now, the Mustangs are poised to be among the contenders in 2026, and might not be the "sleeper" some think.
