2023 Regular-Season Record: 10-2
2024 Projected Win Total: 7.5 (-2.5 Wins)
Last year’s Big 12 newcomers proved that moving from the Group of Five to the power conference level comes with an adjustment period. The reigning American champion SMU Mustangs, then, should expect a modest start to their ACC era. This is a program on the rise with tremendous resources and a proven coach in Rhett Lashlee, but going toe-to-toe with the likes of Florida State, Clemson and Miami right out of the gate is likely an overzealous expectation. The long-term future looks bright for the Mustangs, but even with a stellar, multifaceted offense, their debut campaign in the ACC could come with a few bumps in the road.
