Will the SMU Mustangs Hold Their Own in the ACC During Their Inaugural Year? A 2024 Season Preview
Dallas - As the 2024 season kicks off, the SMU Mustangs football team is ready to make waves in their new era as they transition to the ACC. Led by head coach Rhett Lashlee, the Mustangs are building on their momentum, combining a high-powered offense with a defense that's aiming to prove itself against tougher competition. Key returners like quarterback Preston Stone and wide receiver Jordan Hudson are expected to lead an explosive offense that continues the “Air Raid” tradition. With their move to a Power Five Conference, SMU is set to test its mettle against some of the nation’s top programs, marking a pivotal year in the program’s quest for national relevance. Fans in Dallas and beyond are excited to see how the Mustangs rise to the challenge in this landmark season.
Offense Preview:
The SMU offense has a ton of guys returning for another season. Their top seven pass catchers, top two leading running backs, and their quarterbacks are all returning. The battle between Stone and Jennings will be interesting, but I do expect Stone to be the starter if he can remain healthy. The Mustangs have plenty of talent in the skill positions so whoever does start at quarterback, they will have guys to get the football to. This offense is going to be scary good and will put the opposing defense in plentiful stressful situations.
Defense Preview:
The Mustang defense finished eighth in the country in tackles for loss and top 15 in the country in yards per game allowed. They put a ton of pressure on the quarterback and create havoc in the backfield to mask their less-than-average secondary. They did lose two starting corners but got some help in the transfer portal to make up for it. The defense will need to be the catalyst for SMU if they want to make some noise in the ACC.
Top Returning Players:
Preston Stone QB - In his final six games of the season, Stone threw for 14 touchdowns and just one interception. If it wasn’t for an injury last year, a broken leg, Stone would have continued having an incredible season. Now in the ACC, Stone will have to keep up the same numbers if he wants to lead the Mustangs towards a championship.
Elijah Roberts DE - The former Hurricane followed Lashlee to SMU after he was hired. He led the Mustangs’ defense with 12 tackles for loss and 10 sacks a season ago. This season, he will be tasked with more of a leadership role as this will be his second year with the program.
Jaylan Knighton RB - Similarly to Roberts, he transferred to SMU after Lashlee was announced as the Head Coach of the Mustangs. Knighton is coming off a season with 136 carries for 745 yards and seven touchdowns. He’s got great top-end speed and will continue stressing defenses over it.
Kobe Wilson LB - Wilson returns to the Mustangs for his fifth year of college football after leading the team in tackles a season ago. Phil Steele has put him on his third-team All-ACC preseason team.
Top Incoming Transfers:
Brashard Smith WR - Smith nearly surpassed the 1,000 all-purpose yard mark last season. He was selected to the 2nd team All-ACC as an all-purpose player in 2023. The Miami transfer will look to make his mark in a stacked wide receiver room.
Deuce Harmon DB - Harmon recorded 18 tackles, seven pass breakups, and one interception. He didn’t record a ton of playing time at Texas A&M but should earn some more at SMU.
Jahfari Harvey DL - Rhett Lashlee has gotten another former Hurricane to join his squad. Last season, Harvey recorded 23 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and one sack. Between Harvey and Roberts, the SMU defensive line will be as strong as ever.
Andrew Chamblee OL - Chamblee was listed as a top 10 player in the transfer portal rankings by ESPN. In 2023, at Arkansas, he earned freshman All-SEC honors.
Top Incoming Freshman:
Derrick McFall ATH - McFall is the only four-star recruit joining the SMU Mustangs this season. In his senior season of High School, he had 1,225 all-purpose yards and scored 12 touchdowns. He is the “jack of all trades” and will be all over the field for the SMU offense.
Top Departures:
Not missing any top guys. Have a ton of players returning.
Under-the-Radar Players:
RJ Maryland TE - Maryland was healthy enough to play all 14 games last season. He was second on the team with 34 receptions for 518 yards and seven touchdowns. He is definitely someone to keep an eye on this season to see if he can finally break out.
Alexander "Alex" Kilgore LB - In his first year playing college football, he was seventh on the team in total tackles. Many local fans believe that he could finish his career as one of the best linebackers in SMU history.
Win Total Prediction:
The SMU Mustangs 2024 season win total is listed as 7.5. Phil Steele has ranked the Mustangs with the fourth easiest schedule in the ACC this season. Based on their schedule, I can legitimately see the Mustangs winning 9 to 10 games this season. Therefore, I am going to take the over on the Mustangs season win total. They have the potential to start the season 4-0 and then face their first true test against Florida State. The following week, they play at Louisville so it is going to be a difficult stretch of games. From then on out, they should be favored in the rest of their games and have the potential to win out. Realistically, they have the chance to finish the season out 10-2 or 9-3.
