The Mustangs enter the season with national expectations after earning the second-highest ranking among ACC teams in the preseason Coaches Poll.
SMU's rise into college football's upper tier is now reflected in the polls. When the 2026 preseason US LBM Coaches Poll was released Tuesday, the Mustangs checked in at No. 20, one of three ACC teams ranked in the top 25.
More telling than the ranking is the company around them. SMU is the second-highest-ranked ACC team in the poll, trailing only No. 7 Miami and sitting ahead of No. 23 Clemson. For a program entering its third season in the conference, being viewed as the ACC's second-best team is another sign of how far Rhett Lashlee has elevated the program.
The Mustangs received 378 points from voters, placing them between No. 19 Washington and No. 21 Utah. Ohio State leads the poll, followed by Oregon, Georgia, Texas and Notre Dame. SMU's ranking places the program alongside many of the sport's established contenders.
The ranking reflects sustained success rather than one standout season. SMU has won at least nine games in three straight seasons, reached the ACC championship game and the College Football Playoff during its conference debut in 2024, and followed with another bowl victory last season. Lashlee has compiled a 38-16 record in four seasons, and the program now enters each season with legitimate national expectations.
The biggest reason for the optimism is quarterback Kevin Jennings. The senior returns after throwing for 3,641 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. With Jennings back and much of the roster returning, SMU has the pieces to compete for an ACC title.
The poll also highlights the conference landscape. Miami, SMU and Clemson are the ACC's only ranked teams, leaving a clear path near the top of the standings. If the Mustangs handle the games on their schedule, another ACC championship game appearance and another College Football Playoff berth are realistic goals.
That path will not be easy. SMU opens with a road game at Florida State. The schedule also includes trips to Louisville and Notre Dame. A preseason top 20 ranking, though, shows the Mustangs have earned national respect. Now they have an opportunity to prove they belong there.
