After a 9-4 season in 2025 and many bullish on the Mustangs in 2026, Lashlee isn't interested in the hype around his team.
The SMU Mustangs will enter the new college football season as one of the teams to beat in the ACC, according to many experts.
But to be able to be that sort of team, the foundation has to be built in camp, and for head coach Rhett Lashlee, that is exactly what he plans on doing.
After two 11-win seasons, followed by a 9-4 year in 2025, the Mustangs, in a sense, have something to prove as 2026 approaches.
Yes, many see them as one of the top teams in the conference, alongside Miami, but that is just media talk. When they step onto the field, they have to show they are deserving of such a title.
And as camp has gotten underway, Lashlee has revealed his mindset for his team as they look to have the staying power he's talked about to be a top college team in 2026.
"Football's here, it's good to get out there, have our first practice, we're the last team in college football to start, so that's a first for me," Lashlee said. "But it's good to be out there. I mean, wearing helmets, a lot of urgency from the guys, a lot of excitement, but we've literally done nothing yet. So, a lot to prove."
For a team that has won at least nine games in each of the last three seasons, you can make the case there isn't too much to prove, but that is the sign of a good team; they aren't resting on their laurels.
Yes, last season was a step back record-wise, but they did get a Holiday Bowl win over Arizona. However, Lashlee has made it clear that last year counts for nothing, and he's right.
SMU has to earn the right to be mentioned among the best in college football, and that begins on the grass in camp, which, by all accounts, has gotten off to a good start.
Given SMU's season-opening schedule, there can be no mistakes for Lashlee's team, so they will need to hit the ground running, and a good camp is a great way to give themselves the best chance of doing that.
Do the Mustangs have a lot to prove entering 2026? Lashlee seems to think so.
