ACC newcomer SMU will play 10 straight power-conference teams for the first time since the 1990s starting Friday night against BYU.
SMU players, including offensive lineman King Large run from the the brand new Garry Weber End Zone Complex at Gerald J. Ford Stadium as they take the field for an NCAA football game against Houston Christian on Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024, in Dallas.It’s not because he doesn’t believe in his team and what it’s shown in the first two weeks of the season.It’s because he and his players have assumed an underdog mentality they plan to maintain throughout the remainder of the season.
History says the Mustangs shouldn’t do well. None of four teams that joined the Big 12 last year had a winning record. Only one team made a bowl game. SMU has also not beaten a power-conference team at home since 2010, when it beat Washington State 35-21. They’ll face six at Ford Stadium between now and the start of December.The Mustangs’ first challenge is against a veteran BYU team with an explosive offense and a history of winning.
“We all wanted this schedule. We’re ready for this schedule,” defensive end Isaiah Smith said. “We’ve all been asking for this schedule for a while. We’re all ready to step up and play.”comes to fruition starting this week. On ESPN under the Friday night lights, SMU will face its first big test of the year with a chance to make an early statement, as the program begins its next chapter.“Our guys are confident,” Lashlee said. “I think they know we can compete at this level.
, Dallas Stars and college sports reporter. Lia Assimakopoulos covers the Dallas Stars, SMU and college sports for The Dallas Morning News. She joined The News in June 2022 as a high school sports reporter and previously contributed to Sports Illustrated, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and NBC Sports. A native of Bethesda, Md., Lia graduated from Northwestern University in 2022.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
ESPN FPI Predicts BYU vs SMU, Updates BYU's Projected Win TotalComing into the 2024 season, ESPN's Football Power Index (FPI) was not high on BYU. FPI's projected record for BYU was 4.7-7.3 and FPI gave BYU just a 31% chanc
Read more »
SMU rolls past Houston Christian in first home game since joining ACCBrashard Smith ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns, 348-pound nose tackle Anthony Booker Jr. scored on a fumble as SMU routed Houston Christian 59-7.
Read more »
SMU rolls past Houston Christian 59-7 in 1st home game since joining ACCBrashard Smith ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns, 348-pound nose tackle Anthony Booker Jr. returned a fumble for a score and SMU routed FCS member Houston Christian 59-7.
Read more »
Introducing the ACC: SMU MustangsSMU has produced two of the best running backs in history -- Doak Walker and Eric Dickerson
Read more »
SMU set for 1st home game since joining ACC in visit from Houston ChristianSMU is set for its first home game since joining the Atlantic Coast Conference in a visit from Houston Christian. The Mustangs figure to have an easier time than in their debut as an ACC school last week. They had to rally from nine points down in the fourth quarter as a three-touchdown favorite in a 29-24 win at Nevada.
Read more »
2024 College football odds: Can SMU challenge for ACC title?At their current odds, FOX Sports betting analyst Will Hill believes the Mustangs are worth a sprinkle to become king of their new conference.
Read more »