SMU Mustangs is 0-0 on the season, 0-0 against the spread, and holds a power rating of +13.9. SMU Mustangs enters the season with a power rating of +13.9, placing them above average relative to the FBS midpoint. The SMU Mustangs head to Florida State next in Week 1. In 2025, SMU Mustangs went 8-4 overall, 5-7 against the spread, and 4-8 on totals.
In Week 0 of 2026 the SMU Mustangs Power Rating of +13.9 is 13.7 points above the FBS average according to Blue Chip Analytics. SMU Mustangs have logged 0 miles of travel so far, out of a season total of 10,217 miles, ranking 30th heaviest in the FBS.
| Week | Opponent | Distance | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 0 | — | Bye | |
| Week 1 | Florida State | 753 mi | 1,507 mi |
| Week 2 | UC Davis | Home | 1,507 mi |
| Week 3 | Louisville | 722 mi | 2,952 mi |
| Week 4 | Missouri State | Home | 2,952 mi |
| Week 5 | Boston College | Home | 2,952 mi |
| Week 6 | — | Bye | |
| Week 7 | Virginia | Home | 2,952 mi |
| Week 8 | California | Home | 2,952 mi |
| Week 9 | Syracuse | 1,324 mi | 5,599 mi |
| Week 10 | Virginia Tech | Home | 5,599 mi |
| Week 11 | Wake Forest | Home | 5,599 mi |
| Week 12 | Notre Dame | 842 mi | 7,283 mi |
| Week 13 | Stanford | 1,467 mi | 10,217 mi |
| Week 14 | — | Bye | |
| Week 15 | — | Bye | |
| Week 16 | — | Bye | |
SMU enters the season with College Football Playoff aspirations, led by quarterback Kevin Jennings, who ranked in the top 10 nationally in passing yards in 2025 despite an injury that limited his running. The offense features a nearly entirely new skill group, including Alabama transfer wide receiver Jalen Hale and East Carolina transfer Yannick Smith, plus Cal transfer running back Kendrick Raphael. The offensive line returns three starters, anchored by potential high NFL Draft pick PJ Williams. The defense has been overhauled in the secondary with transfers like UTSA safety Jimmy Wyrick and Texas A&M cornerback Jayvon Thomas, while the defensive line adds Louisiana Tech transfer Christian Davis and Kansas State transfer Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder. The kicking game was addressed by bringing in FCS All-American Nick Reed.
Kevin Jennings is the engine of the offense, but his supporting cast is almost entirely new. The wide receiver room features Alabama transfer Jalen Hale and East Carolina transfer Yannick Smith, along with returning slot receiver Yamir Knight. Running back Kendrick Raphael from Cal is expected to pair with sophomore Dramekco Green. The offensive line is a strength with three returning starters, including PJ Williams. The key question is how quickly the new skill players can develop chemistry with Jennings, especially after his 2025 injury limited his mobility. If the passing game clicks, SMU's offense could be among the best in the ACC.
Last season, SMU's defense showed flashes of brilliance but also had costly lapses. The secondary has been revamped with transfers, including UTSA safety Jimmy Wyrick, USF nickel Jarvis Lee, and Texas A&M cornerback Jayvon Thomas, joining returning cornerbacks Marcellus Barnes Jr. and William Nettles and safety Tyren Polley Jr. The linebacker trio of Brandon Booker, Alexander Kilgore, and Brandon Miyazono returns intact. Up front, the defensive line adds Christian Davis and Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder, plus the return of Jonathan Jefferson from injury. Generating a consistent pass rush from a deep edge group will be critical to avoiding the big plays that plagued the unit last year.
Placekicking was a major weakness last season, so SMU brought in FCS New Hampshire All-American Nick Reed to handle field goals and extra points. Punter Wade McSparron and long-snapper Morgan Tribett return. Yamir Knight is locked in as the punt returner, while kickoff return duties are open with Link Rhodes and Daylon Singleton competing. If Reed provides reliable kicking, it could be a significant upgrade for a team that expects to play in close games.
With Kevin Jennings back and a roster bolstered by high-impact transfers, SMU is considered one of the favorites to win the ACC. Head coach Rhett Lashlee has built a consistent program, and the expectation is to reach the ACC Championship Game and compete for a College Football Playoff berth. The season opener at Florida State will be an early test of how quickly the new pieces mesh, but the long-term trajectory points toward a championship-or-bust campaign.
SMU Mustangs is 0-0 against the spread in the 2026 season.
SMU Mustangs holds a Blue Chip Analytics power rating of +13.9, representing their expected point margin against an average FBS team on a neutral field.
SMU Mustangs's home field advantage rating is 3.8 points, the venue adjustment Blue Chip Analytics applies for games at their home stadium.
SMU Mustangs travels 10,217 miles in the 2026 season, ranking 30th heaviest in the FBS.
Cumulative travel distance counts both the outbound and return journey for every away game. For example, if a team travels 374 miles to play an away game, Blue Chip Analytics counts 748 miles (374 miles there, 374 miles back) toward the cumulative total. Home games and bye weeks add zero miles. The per-week Distance column shows the one-way distance only, as the return trip happens after the game is played.
SMU Mustangs: 0-0 overall, 0-0 ATS, power rating +13.9.
