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SMU football looking to build off successful 2021 offseason

By Andrew Tineo

Oct 24, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Sam Westfall (6) is congratulated by the fans following SMU's 34-31 win against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs cornerback Sam Westfall (6) is congratulated by the fans following SMU's 34-31 win against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 31, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Ulysses Bentley IV (26) runs the ball against Navy Midshipmen during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Flores-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2020; Dallas, Texas, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Ulysses Bentley IV (26) runs the ball against Navy Midshipmen during the first half at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Flores-USA TODAY Sports /

How will SMU football fare in 2021?

The Mustangs’ non-conference slate stays in the state of Texas for 3-of-4 games, starting with two home contest against Abilene Christian and North Texas, two games SMU should be favored to win.

SMU gets Louisiana Tech in Week 3 and the Iron Skillet follows on Sept. 25. TCU and SMU did not play last year, but the Mustangs defeated the Horned Frogs in 2019, 41-38.

The conference slate gives the Mustang winnable contests, with a home game against USF and a road trip to Navy, with Tulane to follow.

However, the rest of the slate does not favor the Mustangs. SMU gets Cincinnati and Houston the road, alongside a game against UCF being sandwiched in between the two.

The season finale is a home game against Tulsa, the team they fell to near the end of last season, 28-24.

The Mustangs have the talent to legitimately compete with any team in the conference not named Cincinnati and are hoping for firepower from their new weapons, headlined by Mordecai under center.

SMU is just two years removed from their best season since 1984 with 10 wins and being ranked as high as 15th in the country. The Mustangs are in a good place and should expect another big season under Sonny Dykes.

I’m optimistic about SMU and believe they will finish just outside the AAC title game with a third-place standing.

Prediction: 9-3, 7-2 AAC

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