The SMU Mustangs weren’t supposed to make much noise in their first year as a member of the ACC. In a way, this was only supposed to be an introduction to a Power 4 conference. Not since their days in the Southwest Conference were the Mustangs considered a national power. The days of Eric Dickerson, Craig James, and the Pony Express are long gone, but the excitement is back for the Mustang faithful.
Rhett Lashlee’s Mustangs are rolling since their September 6 loss to currently unbeaten BYU. The three-point defeat to an extremely tough BYU team is just an example of how good the Mustangs have been this year. They currently are sitting tied for second place in the ACC with a lot of football yet to play. This season was supposed to be a learning curve for SMU, not a season that could end in a possible playoff berth.
Take Me Back To The 1980s
The early part of the 1980s was a time of pure joy for the SMU Mustang fanbase. The hiring of Ron Meyer as head coach in 1976 sparked a rebirth in the struggling program. By the late 70s, the Mustangs were starting to build a stunning recruiting class, one that is still remembered to this day. Eric Dickerson and Craig James, two of the best running backs in Texas high school football history, both committed to SMU, a shocking revelation by most experts and formed the most lethal backfield in school history.
Along with their option specialist quarterback Lance McIlhenny, The Pony Express became one of the most legendary teams of all time. The Mustangs won three Southwest Conference Championships and nearly a National Championship in 1982, finishing ranked second behind Penn State.
The second half of the 1980s was a completely different story. In fact, it was a disaster for SMU. Many players were accused of accepting improper benefits which led to the downfall of the program. After multiple repeat violations, the football program received the dreaded “death penalty” in February of 1987 which canceled the 1987 season, then eventually the 1988 season. This set the program back for years in both recruiting and their ability to compete at the national level. For years it left many wondering, when would the real Mustangs be back?
Return To Glory
It took the Mustangs nearly 40 years but they are finally a national power again. Last year, the Mustangs took home the American Athletic Conference title, an incredible achievement, but the AAC does not have the same prestige as the ACC. Their success this season was not supposed to happen, not by a long shot.
This is definitely not an accident, however. SMU has built a top-25 recruiting class for the 2025 season, so recruits know something big is going down in Dallas. Could the Mustangs, sitting at 7-1, find a spot in the College Football Playoff by year’s end? There is still a lot of football left but it seems like a very possible scenario. SMU has a big game on Saturday against the undefeated Pitt Panthers, another team making a statement in the ACC this season.
If the Mustangs beat Pitt and run the table, there is a strong possibility they could get into the playoffs. This team is tough and they have proven many critics wrong so far in their inaugural season. Sure this Mustang team is a little different compared to the Pony Express teams of the 1980s, but the tenacity and determination of this group looks incredibly familiar.
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