The Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs reign supreme once again. On December 2, 2023, SMU beat the Tulane Green Wave by a dozen to claim their first conference title in nearly four decades.
“They’re an uncommon team,” SMU Mustangs Head Coach Rhett Lashlee said.
“It’s hard in this day and age to have a true team, and they did it for 12 straight weeks. We love the American, it has been great to us, and we’re really grateful we could go out winning it.”
With the victory, SMU improves to 11-2 and puts themselves in a position to claim a spot in a premier bowl game. The non-power conference team ranked highest in the year’s final rankings secures a spot in one of the six biggest bowl games aside from the College Football Playoff. As it stands, SMU and Liberty, who finished the season with a perfect record, will be jockeying for position. However, Lashlee feels that his team is the clear selection.
“We’re the only team that went on the road and beat a top 25 team,” Lashlee said after the AAC Championship.
“What message does it send going forward in the 12-team playoff if you don’t even schedule a Power school?”
The SMU Mustangs and Liberty Flames will learn what bowl game they will play in when bowl selections are made on Sunday, December 3.
