As the 2025 college football season draws near, the SMU Mustangs stand ready for a season full of promise and expectations. Quarterback Kevin Jennings, leading the way, has drawn praise from coaching icons such as Nick Saban. The athlete is surely the Mustangs’ hope to make their mark in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Especially to compete for a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth.
With a carefully constructed schedule that includes a mix of tough opponents and old rivals, SMU’s quest is destined to thrill supporters and analysts alike.
2025 SMU Mustangs Football Schedule
- August 30: vs. East Texas A&M
- September 6: vs. Baylor
- September 13: at Missouri State
- September 20: at TCU
- October 4: vs. Syracuse
- October 11: vs. Stanford
- October 18: at Clemson
- October 25: at Wake Forest
- November 1: vs. Miami
- November 8: at Boston College
- November 22: vs. Louisville
- November 29: at Cal
The Mustangs begin their season at home against East Texas A&M on August 30, paving the way for a series of interesting contests. One week later, SMU welcomes Baylor, rekindling a Texas rivalry that is sure to attract widespread notice. Missouri State and the annual rival TCU Horned Frogs are the road opponents in the non-conference portion of the schedule, the latter being the 104th installment of the classic Battle of the Iron Skillet.
Entering ACC play, SMU has a fair schedule with some big home games against Syracuse, Stanford, Miami, and Louisville. These matches offer the Mustangs chances to establish their supremacy in the league and build their CFP case. However, tough road trips to Clemson, Wake Forest, Boston College, and Cal will challenge the team’s courage and resilience.
Can Kevin Jennings Turn Hype into History
At the heart of SMU’s championship aspirations is quarterback Kevin Jennings, whose playmaking skills have made him a national story. Alabama’s esteemed former head coach Nick Saban touted Jennings as “the most underrated player in the country” due to his dual-threat skills and leadership qualities. Jennings’ play will be critical in guiding the Mustangs through a tough schedule and setting them up for a CFP playoff spot.
Jennings’ toughness was especially exhibited this season in 2024, playing through a fractured finger that occurred in an overtime victory over Duke on October 26. His competitive nature took over, guiding SMU to a perfect record in the league and a bowl appearance in the ACC Championship. Head coach Rhett Lashlee pointed to Jennings’ fierce competitiveness, saying, “One game, four bad passes today doesn’t define him.”
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The 2025 campaign offers SMU a platform to demonstrate its improvement and competitiveness at the national level. With a carefully planned schedule and under the guidance of Kevin Jennings, the Mustangs are in a position to make a strong argument to join the College Football Playoff. As the campaign gets underway, supporters and analysts will be anxiously watching if SMU is able to harness its potential to succeed on the field and restore itself as college football’s dominant force.
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