Final look at SMU Football's preseason bowl projections from CBS, ESPN, others
The SMU Mustangs kick off the 2024 season before almost anybody else as they travel to Reno, Nevada for a Saturday night matchup against the Wolfpack. Before the first kick, the Mustangs are already in the mix for a variety of postseason bowl games, according to the latest projections.
SMU has been bowl eligible for five straight seasons, including Rhett Lashlee’s first two seasons as head coach. Last year, after ending the regular season with a conference title championship over Tulane, the Mustangs landed in the Wasabi Fenway Bowl, playing against the Boston College Eagles. Starting backup quarterback Kevin Jennings following Preston Stone’s Week 12 injury, the Mustangs fell 23-14.
The Mustangs’ five seasons of bowl eligible mark the longest stretch of bowl eligibility in program history. The streak is now on the line as they begin the new era in the ACC. Which bowl the team plays in this season, if any, will depend largely on the ACC’s bowl tie-ins. Of course, team records will be the main factor, however, the ACC will also determine which bowls its teams play in based on geography and recent bowl history.
The final bowl assignments will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 8, once conference title games are over. The College Football Playoff selection show is slated for noon on Dec. 8.
SMU Preseason Bowl Projections
CBS
Projector: Jerry Palm
Bowl/Matchup prediction: Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl vs Washington State
Location: Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, Texas)
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31
ESPN
Projector(s): Kyle Bonagura, Mark Schlabach
Bowl/Matchup prediction: Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl vs Washington State
Location: Sun Bowl Stadium (El Paso, Texas)
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 31
Athlon Sports
Projector: Steve Lassan
Bowl/Matchup prediction: Gasparilla Bowl vs Florida
Location: St. Petersburg Bowl at Tropicana Field (St. Petersburg, Florida)
Date: Friday, Dec. 20
Action Network
Projector: Brett McMurphy
Bowl/Matchup prediction: Go Bowling Military Bowl vs South Florida
Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 28
Sporting News
Projector: Bill Bender
Bowl/Matchup prediction: Go Bowling Military Bowl vs Army
Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 28
