AP Top 25 Poll

#17 SMU Mustangs

2023

Overall Record

11-2

Last Game

vs Tulane W 26-14

Conference Record

8-0

Next Game

@Boston College 12/28/2023

SMU running back Jaylan Knighton (4) carries against Tulane linebacker Tyler Grubbs (13) for a touchdown during the first half of the American Athletic Conference Championship NCAA college football game , Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Boston College to face No. 17 SMU in Fenway Bowl; preview of future ACC matchup

Boston College will play what amounts to a home game when it faces American Athletic Conference champion SMU in the Fenway Bowl on Dec. 28.

SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) passes during the first half of the American Athletic Conference Championship NCAA college football game against Tulane, Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023 in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Jennings, dominant defense carry No. 25 SMU to AAC title, 26-14 over Tulane

Tulane quarterback Michael Pratt (7) celebrates his touchdown pass in the second half of an NCAA college football game against UTSA in New Orleans, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Tulane won 29-16. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

No. 17 Tulane, No. 25 SMU bring unblemished league marks into AAC title tilt

Stanford quarterback Justin Lamson, left, is congratulated by teammates after scoring against Washington during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

ACC releases new football scheduling model to add California, Stanford and SMU in ’24

Army quarterback Larry Robinson (2) passes in the second half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023. LSU won 62-0. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

American Athletic Conference adds Army in 2024 for football. Army-Navy to remain nonconference game

SMU earns date in AAC title game but starting QB Stone injured in 59-14 rout of Navy

Preston Stone threw three touchdown passes before suffering an injury in the second quarter and SMU cruised over Navy 59-14 on Saturday to advance to the American Athletic Conference championship game.

Stone TD pass keeps SMU unbeaten in AAC, tops Memphis 38-34

Preston Stone fired a 7-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Hudson with under three minutes left in the game to seal a 38-34 win over Memphis.

SMU rolls past North Texas 45-21, moves to 6-0 in AAC

Jaylan Knighton ran for 129 yards and a touchdown and LJ Johnson Jr. picked up 106 yards rushing and a touchdown as Southern Methodist cruised to its sixth straight American Athletic Conference victory, rolling past North Texas 45-21.

Stone propels SMU to 36-31 victory over Rice

Preston Stone threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score to lead SMU to a 36-31 victory over Rice.

Stone throws 3 TD passes, SMU bowl eligible with 69-10 win over Tulsa

Preston Stone threw for 371 yards and three touchdowns — in the first half — and SMU soared past Tulsa 69-10 to become bowl eligibile.

SMU cruises to 55-0 romp over Temple

Preston Stone passed for 300 yards and two touchdowns , Roderick Daniels Jr. returned a punt for a score and SMU rolled to a 55-0 victory over Temple.

Stone’s 3 TD passes, McGill’s pick-6 help SMU win defensive battle with ECU 31-10

Preston Stone threw three touchdown passes, Jonathan McGill returned an interception for a touchdown and SMU beat ECU 31-10 in a defensive battle.

Knighton sparks SMU to 34-16 victory over Charlotte

Jaylan Knighton broke the game open with a 95-yard touchdown run in the third quarter and SMU went on to defeat Charlotte 34-16 in an American Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

TCU head coach Sonny Dykes yells at an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

TCU’s Sonny Dykes takes jabs at refs, SMU after beating former school again

TCU coach Sonny Dykes is a little salty when it comes to his school’s rivalry with SMU. Dykes responded with “hooray” and nothing else when asked about the Dallas-Fort Worth rivals being one step closer to a pause in the series.

SMU running back Camar Wheaton (0) carries the ball as TCU linebacker Namdi Obiazor (4) tries to tackle him during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

TCU tops SMU 34-17 in long-running Dallas-Fort Worth rivalry that isn’t scheduled beyond 2025

Chandler Morris threw for three touchdowns, Emani Bailey ran for 126 yards and a score and TCU wore down SMU in the second half of a 34-17 victory in the Dallas-Fort Worth rivalry.

TCU quarterback Chandler Morris (4) runs for a touchdown against Nicholls State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Fort Worth, Texas. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

TCU, SMU meet in ‘Iron Skillet’ rivalry that isn’t on the schedule beyond 2025

TCU and SMU are set to play one of the last scheduled meetings for the Dallas-Fort Worth rivals in what’s known as the “Iron Skillet” game.

Preston Stone accounts for 6 TDs in SMU’s 69-0 rout of Prairie View A&M

Preston Stone threw five touchdown passes and ran for another score in SMU’s 69-0 rout of Prairie View A&M.

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) carries for a first down during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against SMU, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

Dillon Gabriel’s 4 TD passes lead No. 18 Oklahoma to a 28-11 win over SMU

Dillon Gabriel threw four touchdown passes, Tawee Walker ran for a career-high 117 yards and No. 18 Oklahoma clawed out a 28-11 win over SMU.

Oklahoma wide receiver Gavin Freeman (82) carries past Arkansas State safety Trevian Thomas (9) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

No. 18 Oklahoma to offer SMU a Power Five test a year before Mustangs move to the ACC

Oklahoma is coming off a 73-0 opening win over Arkansas State. The Sooners outgained the Red Wolves 642 yards to 208 and didn’t commit a turnover.

Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel (8) passes against Arkansas State during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Alonzo Adams)

No. 18 Oklahoma looks to build momentum against SMU after winning big in opener

Oklahoma is coming off a rousing 73-0 opening win over Arkansas State. The Sooners outgained the Red Wolves 642 yards to 208.

Wisconsin quarterbacks Myles Burkett (16), Tanner Mordecai (8) and Braedyn Locke (18) participate during spring NCAA college football practice at the McClain Center in Madison, Wis., Thursday, March 30, 2023. (Samantha Madar/Wisconsin State Journal via AP)

Wisconsin QB Tanner Mordecai already emerging as team leader

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin quarterback Tanner Mordecai originally planned to spend this month preparing for the NFL draft rather than gearing up for one last college season at a third school.

Pittsburgh quarterback Kedon Slovis (9) prepares to pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Miami, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Former USC, Pitt QB Slovis says he’s transferring to BYU

Quarterback Kedon Slovis is transferring from Pittsburgh to BYU, he announced Saturday on social media.

North Carolina Central quarterback Davius Richard (11) runs for a first down against Jackson State defensive lineman Jeremiah Williams (99) during the first half of the Celebration Bowl NCAA college football game, Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022, in Atlanta.(Jason Getz/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

NC Central wins Celebration Bowl in Sanders’ Jackson finale

ATLANTA (AP) — Quarterback Davius Richard scored on a 1-yard plunge in overtime and North Carolina Central beat Jackson State 41-34 on Saturday in the Celebration Bowl to spoil coach Deion Sanders’ bid for an undefeated season in his final game with the Tigers.

SMU's Roderick Daniels, Jr. (13) dodges the BYU defense and runs in for the touchdown during the first half of the New Mexico Bowl NCAA college football game in Albuquerque, N.M., Saturday, Dec. 17, 2022. (Chancey Bush/The Albuquerque Journal via AP)

BYU stops late SMU comeback try, wins New Mexico Bowl

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Cornerback Jakon Robinson stopped SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai on a 2-point conversion try with eight seconds left in the game, and BYU beat the Mustangs 24-23 Saturday night in the New Mexico Bowl.

BYU wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) runs the ball for a touchdown against Stanford during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

BYU looks to keep unblemished record against SMU

New Mexico Bowl: BYU (7-5) vs. SMU (7-5), Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m. Eastern (ABC)

WHAT’S AT STAKE

Boise State tight end Matt Lauter (85) carries the hammer as the team runs onto the field before an NCAA college football game for the Mountain West championship against Fresno State, Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Otto Kitsinger)

North Texas close to home vs. Boise State in Frisco Bowl

Frisco Bowl: North Texas (7-6) vs. Boise State (9-4), Saturday, 9:15 p.m. Eastern (ESPN)

Series record: Tied 3-3.

Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield looks on during the first half against Penn State at the NCAA college football Cotton Bowl game, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. Memphis hopes to finally play their first game in nearly a month, the American Athletic Conference opener Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, at SMU (3-0). (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins, File)

No. 25 Memphis at SMU for 1st game in month post-COVID cases

DALLAS (AP) — Memphis coach Ryan Silverfield finally sensed his No. 25 Tigers getting comfortable again after going 10 days without practicing and not playing two scheduled games because of active COVID-19 cases inside the program.

FILE - In this Oct. 12, 2019, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, in Clemson, S.C. Lawrence is a candidate for the 2020 Heisman Trophy award. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)

College Football Picks: Big 12 and ACC kick off seasons

Under even normal circumstances, season-opening games can be deceiving. After an offseason that was anything but normal, who knows what to glean from a Game 1?

SMU holds on to win first game at Texas State, 31-24

SAN MARCOS, Texas (AP) — Shane Buechele threw for 367 yards and a touchdown and SMU held on despite two second-half turnovers to win its first game at Texas State, 31-24 on Saturday in the season opener for both teams.