SMU football looking to build off successful 2021 offseason

The SMU football program has been rejuvenated under fourth-year head coach Sonny Dykes. It’s not discussed enough in the college football landscape, the state of the program, and the last time it saw the success the Mustangs have had the previous two seasons.

The Mustangs are coming off a 7-3 season in which they were ranked as high as No.16 in the country. It’s the first time since 1986 the Mustangs had consecutive seasons being ranked inside the Top 25.

After the 1986 season, things took a turn for the worst for the major market school in Dallas. SMU went bowl-less from 1987 until 2009 when June Jones took the Mustangs to four straight.

It then turned immediately into mediocrity when SMU joined the American Athletic Conference and went consecutive seasons with one win in league play.

Former SMU head coach Chad Morris had promise but left in 2018. Enter Sonny Dykes and the way he has been able to build the roster. Relying on blue-blood transfers and Power Five level players, Dykes built the roster with a plethora of transfers.

Those transfers still impact the roster to this day, more recently on the offensive end. The Mustangs started off the season 5-0 with a thrilling 37-34 win over Tulane.

The Mustangs stumbled down the stretch but still have a ton of momentum heading into the upcoming year.

Here’s a look at SMU’s offense, defense, and schedule outlook for the 2021 season.