The SMU Mustangs are the only program in the country making the jump from the group of five to a power five conference this season, but Rhett Lashlee’s squad has a real chance to make some noise near the top of the ACC. The Virginia Cavaliers will welcome the Mustangs — one of three ACC newcomers this season along with Cal and Stanford — into Scott Stadium on November 23rd or 24th (TBD) for their 11th game of the season. It’ll be UVA’s only matchup with one of the new faces of the conference during its 2024 campaign.
A Look at the Mustangs
SMU had one of the most successful seasons among group of five squads last season, finishing unbeaten in the AAC while rating inside the top ten both offensively and defensively in the nation via PFF. While the Mustangs dominated conference play, however, they struggled in limited action against power five competition, going 0-3 in a trio of matchups against Oklahoma, TCU, and Boston College.
Offensively
The Mustangs were powered by a high-octane offense that put up 38.7 points per game (2nd most in the AAC) and 454.9 yards by game (3rd in the AAC). Quarterback Preston Stone led the charge, throwing for 3,197 yards on the season while accounting for 32 total touchdowns. Stone, who will be back as a focal point of SMU’s squad in 2024, spread the ball around, propelling eight different receivers to 300+ yard seasons.
Defensively
On the defensive side of the ball, the Mustangs excelled in getting after the quarterback, accumulating 47.0 sacks on the season while holding opponents to just 17.8 points per game (best in the AAC).
Can SMU Thrive in the ACC?
With Preston Stone back under center along with 15 returning starters (8 offense / 7 defense), the Mustangs are a dark-horse contender in their first year in the ACC. SMU has a veteran squad and will benefit from the third-easiest schedule in the ACC according to PFF, setting them up nicely for the transition from the American.
Rhett Lashlee also had a nice off-season in the portal, landing 22 transfers including several intriguing power-five talents highlighted by DL Omari Abor and OT Savion Byrd. Although ranked just 7th in the ACC preseason poll, the Mustangs received 33 votes in the preseason AP poll and have a 16.6% chance to reach the College Football playoff according to ESPN’s FPI.
Cincinnati, Houston, UCF, and BYU all had disappointing entrances into the power five last fall, but SMU has a great chance to buck that trend with a solid 2024 campaign.
Virginia vs. SMU: A Tale of Two Firsts
UVA’s all-time record vs. SMU: 0-0
Last meeting: None
Virginia and SMU were supposed to meet in the 2021 Wasabi Fenway Bowl but the game was canceled due to Covid issues on UVA’s roster. Other than that, the two programs have never squared off prior to 2024. The first-ever meeting should be a winnable game for the ‘Hoos, but likely not one in which they’ll be favored.
