Before exchanging an “A” for a “C” in terms of their conference affiliation abbreviation, the SMU Mustangs had their best football season in decades. They capped their short-lived run in the AAC with their most wins (11) and first outright conference championship in 41 seasons before embarking on a move to the ACC this summer.
As SMU begins life in a power conference with high expectations due to last season’s success, the players are ready for what they know will be a battle of physical and mental toughness throughout the year.
SMU Gears Up for Its First ACC Season After Finishing 11-3 In 2023
Speaking about those expectations for the upcoming season at ACC Media Days on Monday, QB Preston Stone said his team knows the competition the league provides will not allow them to take a week off.
“The biggest thing for us is can we show up every single week and have a heavyweight battle,” the redshirt junior quarterback said after leading the conference in yards per completion and passing efficiency last season. “Can we show up week in, week out, take some punches, and then punch people in the face, too.”
SMU finished 2023 ranked 22nd in the AP Poll, their first time appearing in the Final AP Poll since before the death penalty wiped out the football program for two seasons (1987-88).
Seeking a sixth consecutive winning season in Dallas, the Mustangs’ quarterback seemed to relish the idea of introducing the conference — and perhaps the country — to the same fast-paced offense that scored at least 55 points in four different games last season.
“I don’t know if there are many offenses that play with the kind of tempo that we play. It’s going to be a lot of fun to play against these ACC defenses,” Stone said with a smile. SMU averaged 72.9 offensive plays per game last season to rank 13th in FBS.
“Efficiency is one of the things that’s really fun about our offense. We take a ton of shots. I think it’ll be a lot of fun for the ACC to see the shots we take this year.”
Stone also laid praise upon the receiving corps at SMU, saying “I think we have the best receiving room in the conference. There will be a lot of guys to be on the look out for.”
One of those players will be RJ Maryland, a first-team All-AAC selection who recorded seven receiving touchdowns in 2023 to rank in a tie for the most in FBS by a tight end.
Also in attendance for ACC Media Days, SMU QB Kevin Jennings called Maryland the “best player in the conference. He’s a very dynamic player, he can do everything, block for us, take a long shot.”
The Mustangs will open ACC play at home on Sept. 28 against none other than the defending conference champions — Florida State — in what will be the first-ever meeting between the schools.