The Mustangs have talent everywhere on the roster, but is it the most talent Lashlee has ever had at his disposal?
The SMU Mustangs, for most, are one of the teams to watch intently in 2026 in the ACC.
With Miami seen as the big dogs of the conference, the Mustangs, in preseason polls, are right up there in terms of contending.
Head coach Rhett Lashlee has done a great job with keeping the Mustangs in the mix for playoffs, winning 11 games in back-to-back seasons before last year's 9-4 record, which did end with a Holiday Bowl win.
But as we turn to the new season, which starts soon, a lot of people are getting on board with the SMU hype train as the roster from top to bottom is deep, meaning there are a lot of players Lashlee can roll through during games without a drop-off in production.
However, that is us talking.
For Lashlee, who was on the StrongSide 41 podcast, when asked if this Mustangs roster was the most talented he's ever had, he gave an eyebrow-raising response.
"I think it has a chance to be, top to bottom," Lashlee said. "I think on offense, we've got really good playmakers around Kevin. It obviously helps to have a fifth-year QB and a third-year starter coming back with that kind of experience, but I think we have a chance to be really good around him.
"We have a good experienced starters, and we have really good young players and a good mix there. Defensively, I don't know if it's the most talent we've had, but I do think it's the most depth we've had. I think we've got two deep at every position on defense that can help us win games."
Many have the Mustangs as a team that can finally break through in the ACC, citing the roster and the schedule as the main reasons to expect a good 2026 season.
Of course, this is all projections for SMU, and once the football begins, we will get a good idea of where the Mustangs sit in the pecking order.
But there is no denying the talent on both sides of the ball, and the depth created should put SMU in good stead if injuries strike. Of course, we hope that doesn't happen, but still, the Mustangs appear built for the long run.
Having been hanging around the rim for the past couple of seasons, could this be the year SMU gets something done?
Maybe, with the most talented roster Lashlee has had, making the Mustangs a team that everyone has to take seriously.
