Let's take a look at SMU Football for the upcoming season.
Best / Worst Case Record for :
Louisville | Virginia | Miami | Duke | Georgia Tech | Boston College | Pittsburgh | Florida State | Virginia Tech | Cal | NC State | Clemson | Syracuse | North Carolina | Stanford| Wake Forest
SMU
SMU had a magical first year in the ACC, going 11-3 (8-0). They made a trip to Charlotte, nearly won the ACC, and were an at large participant in the colleg football playoff. Coach Rhett Lashlee has led the Mustangs to a 22-6 record the last two years, and he’d never had a losing season. Looking over SMU’s roster, who is returning and who’s coaching the team, it’s not a stretch to say SMU could again be playing for an ACC title. Don’t think for a moment SMU had a lightning in a bottle season.
Will Go 11-1 (7-1) if:
They can beat Baylor and TCU. Baylor and TCU are quality non-conference opponents, and if SMU beats them, that’s a 4-0 start before hosting Syracuse and Stanford. After going to Clemson, then SMUs toughest matchups are home games with Miami and Louisville. 11-1 is not out of the question. QB Kevin Jennings was outstanding after he was named the starter through the game at Penn State. If Jennings plays like he did prior to Penn State, he’s one of the best QBs in the ACC. SMU is going to be favored in the majority of their games. An upset or two, and it could be a special season.
Will Go 7-5 (5-3) if:
SMU can’t handle the tough part of their schedule. Games with Baylor, TCU, Clemson, Miami, and Louisville are loseable. Even if they go 1-4 in those games, another loss, and it’s a 7-5 season. Does Kevin Jennings still have scar tissue from the nightmare Penn State game? If his play slips, then that’s a lot to put on a defense that lost a fair amount of talent. The schedule is tougher than last year, and that could definitely lead to more losses.
