ACC newcomer’s meteoric rise could be the best story in college football

There just aren’t many teams like the one in Dallas, Texas, right now—the team that, after Saturday’s win over Virginia, secured a spot in the ACC Championship Game during their first season in the conference. That, of course, is the SMU Mustangs.

Few truly acknowledge the accomplishments of what SMU has done this season. The College Football Playoff committee hasn’t so far. Even with a better résumé than the current No. 8 Miami Hurricanes, SMU has been on the outside looking in, ranked currently at No. 13. Heck, probably most of the team’s own city doesn’t even recognize them.

And that wouldn’t be surprising given the other competition in Dallas, from the Cowboys and Mavericks professionally to the plethora of well-known college programs in the surrounding area.

But here is an SMU program that has risen from the ashes and is now in a Power 4 conference, the ACC, where they’ve almost outright taken over in their inaugural season. Coming off winning their first conference title since 1984 in the AAC last year, the Mustangs have a chance to do it again this season—only in a much bigger way.

Smile, we’re going to the ACC Championship 😄#PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/AR4PmBZYbT

— SMU Football (@SMUFB) November 24, 2024Under head coach Rhett Lashlee, this will be SMU’s first back-to-back double-digit win season since 1981 and 1982. Not long after, the program was hit with the infamous NCAA “death penalty” due to major sanctions, which set SMU football back for decades—until now.

Now, with an ACC title berth guaranteed, they have a shot to make the College Football Playoff, winning much more than a conference title.

“Shout out to SMU,” former Florida State quarterback EJ Manuel said on ACC Huddle. “The best story in college football.”

“The best story in college football.” @EJManuel3 on @SMUFB’s success this season 🐎📈 pic.twitter.com/TiBwhIj9FJ

— ACC Network (@accnetwork) November 24, 2024That’s high praise, but it’s probably well-warranted considering this was once a disregarded program thought to never recover. Now, quietly, those loud Mustang gallops are beginning to be heard. It’s been a long road, but in an era where all things seem to be making a comeback, SMU is one of the best stories college football has to offer.