Get to know the SMU Mustangs: Syracuse football’s week-six opponent in the 2025 season

We all know that the ACC isn’t just for schools on the East Coast anymore. The SMU Mustangs are out of (checks notes) Dallas, and are part of the conference now, too. In early October, Syracuse and SMU will cross paths as ACC foes for the first time, prompting the Orange’s first game in the Lone Star State since winning the 2013 Texas Bowl.

SMU’s head coach: Rhett Lashlee

Lashlee is entering his fourth season as head coach of the Mustangs. As a player, he spent three seasons as the backup quarterback at Arkansas in the early 2000s before a shoulder injury ended his playing career. He quickly pivoted to coaching, with stops at Auburn and UConn before becoming the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at SMU in 2018.

In 2020, Lashlee joined current Duke coach Manny Diaz during his stint at Miami, serving as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Hurricanes for two seasons before returning to SMU as the head coach in 2022. Lashlee inherited a program from Sonny Dykes that was in good shape, helping him go 29-12 over his first three seasons. That includes back-to-back seasons in which the Mustangs finished 11-3 and 8-0 in conference play. Of course, SMU did that in the AAC in 2023 and the ACC last season. More importantly, Lashlee took SMU to the ACC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff last season, setting up big expectations for 2025.

Last meeting with Syracuse: SMU 16, Syracuse 6 (1932)

The first and only meeting to date between SMU and Syracuse came during the 1932 season. SMU made the trip to Archbold Stadium, coming away with a 16-6 win after the game was tied 6-6 at halftime.

Series history

As mentioned, the all-time series between SMU and Syracuse includes just the 1932 game. It doesn’t make a lot of sense that they would have played in 1932, which is perhaps why the schools have declined to schedule a game until the Mustangs joined the ACC.

SMU’s 2024 season

When the 2024 season began, virtually nobody would have predicted SMU would finish the season in the College Football Playoff. Following a September loss to BYU, that seemed even more unlikely. But the Mustangs rattled off 10 straight wins after that, including road wins over Louisville and Duke, as well as convincing wins over Florida State and a ranked Pitt team.

At 8-0, there was nothing stopping SMU from playing in the ACC Championship Game. The Mustangs gave a strong account of themselves against Clemson in the conference title game, at least for a half. SMU trailed 24-7 at halftime, but came back to tie the game 31-31, only to give up a last-second field goal and lose 34-31 in heartbreaking fashion. The close loss was enough to convince the College Football Playoff committee to put the Mustangs in the field. However, SMU was out of its depth, losing a first-round game to Penn State 38-10.

SMU’s key returning players

After taking the Mustangs to the College Football Playoff last season, quarterback Kevin Jennings is back with SMU in 2025. With 11 interceptions, ball security was an issue at times, although Jennings also threw for over 3,200 yards with 23 touchdowns. He’s also elusive with his legs and is actually SMU’s top returning rusher. However, most of SMU’s top receiving threats from 2024 are gone, with the exception of Jordan Hudson, who was tied for second in catches, second in receiving yards, and tied for first in receiving touchdowns on SMU’s roster last season.

Defensively, most of SMU’s experience is in the secondary. The safety tandem of Isaiah Nwokobia and Ahmaad Moses has a chance to be among the best in the ACC. Both are seniors who had three interceptions apiece in 2024, playing a prominent role for the SMU defense. Cornerbacks Deuce Harmon and Jaelyn Davis-Robinson were also regular contributors for the Mustangs last year, adding to an experienced secondary that figures to be the strength of the SMU defense.

SMU’s notable additions

To help plug some holes, the Mustangs used the transfer portal wisely. Purdue transfers Jeffrey M’Ba and Damarjhe Lewis are both defensive tackles who should play key roles for the Mustangs right away. Kansas transfer DJ Warner and Baylor transfer Trey Wilson also add to what looks like a deep and talented defensive line. Syracuse transfer Marcellus Barnes Jr. also adds even more depth to the SMU secondary.

On the other side of the ball, Arkansas transfer Addison Nichols and Oklahoma transfer Joshua Bates will help the Mustangs reload along the offensive line. Miami transfer Christopher Johnson is also a key addition to a backfield that’s lacking depth and experience. In fact, the Mustangs are hopeful that four-star running back Dramekco Green can be a part of the rotation right away. It’s a similar situation at wide receiver, as Daylon Singleton and Jalen Cooper, both four-star recruits, will have a chance to crack the starting lineup as true freshmen.

SMU’s 2025 season outlook

The Mustangs have a chance to be even better than they were last season. With continuity at head coach and quarterback, they should be a step ahead of other programs. However, younger skill position players will have to step up; otherwise, Jennings will have a lot of weight on his shoulders. On defense, the secondary returns plenty of experience, while the defensive line has added reinforcements in the portal that could help the Mustangs compete at a high level in the trenches.

Of course, the caveat is that SMU’s schedule in 2025 won’t be as favorable as it was last year. The Mustangs avoided many of the ACC’s top teams during the regular season in 2024, but have no such luck this year, with a road game against Clemson and home dates with Syracuse, Miami, and Louisville. Non-conference games with Baylor and TCU will also make it difficult for the Mustangs to replicate last year’s 11-1 record during the regular season. Nevertheless, SMU does look to be a contender for the ACC title, giving the Mustangs a path back to the College Football Playoff.

When and where SMU plays Syracuse in 2025

The Orange and Mustangs will meet on Saturday, October 4, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas. Don’t be fooled by the name; it’s not named after former President Gerald Ford but rather a Texas businessman and SMU alum who helped finance the stadium.

Prediction: SMU 41, Syracuse 24

For the second time in three weeks, the Orange will be on the road against a legitimate ACC contender. This will be a theme on Syracuse's 2025 schedule. Even on a neutral field, the Mustangs would have an advantage over the Orange, so playing on the road isn’t going to make it any easier. By this point in the season, SMU’s young offensive players should be hitting their stride, making the SMU offense a juggernaut that will be tough to contain. Over 60 minutes, Syracuse may not be able to keep up, ultimately losing by a wide margin and heading into their bye week at 3-3.