ESPN FPI Top 25

[Webmaster]

SMU at a very respectable #20.

Ahead of us in the ACC is Clemson (#11) and Miami (#9). Special mention to quasi-ACC member Notre Dame (#7).

The Football Power Index (FPI) is a measure of team strength that is meant to be the best predictor of a team's performance going forward for the rest of the season. FPI represents how many points above or below average a team is. Projected results are based on 20,000 simulations of the rest of the season using FPI, results to date, and the remaining schedule. Ratings and projections update daily. FPI data from seasons prior to 2019 may not be complete.

[Charleston Pony]

SMU is getting mentioned in a lot of "way too early" pre-season Top 25 lists based in large part on what the guys accomplished last year, the fact that K.J. is coming back and the guys coming in via the portal that will be asked to backfill behind all the key losses from last year's team. I always look forward to seeing what returning players will step up and become impact players...guys the media aren't mentioning as part of these pre-season predictions

[PerunaPunch]

Many years I have difficulty predicting how the Ponies will perform due to changes in key personnel. NIL and the crazy transfer portal exacerbates this because in many cases the players I expect might step-up and fill-in are coming from programs I haven't followed. At least with underclassmen growing up and stepping into larger roles, we've watched those kids for several years and have some semblance of how they'll perform.

So now, it's even more just plain old wild-ass speculation than ever before.

[EastStang]

We have a tougher schedule than last year (unless the U digresses like FSU did last year). Clemson, Baylor, TCU, Miami, Syracuse, Louisville, Syracuse, Cal, Stanford and BC are not easy outs. We'll need our big boy pants to come close to last year's record.

[RunningStang]

10+ wins should be the expectation and staying ranked all season.

Incoming talent > outgoing talent.

Think 1980-1984 SMU without recruiting restrictions. As it was those teams finished twice in the top 5. I think if you look at the 2025 recruiting class (best in a long time) versus what is happening already in the 2026 class (even better and beating Texas, OU and A&M on recruits)a, SMU is going to become a powerhouse and soon.


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[Dukie]

*dupe

[Dukie]

10+ wins should be the expectation and staying ranked all season.

Incoming talent > outgoing talent.

Think 1980-1984 SMU without recruiting restrictions. As it was those teams finished twice in the top 5. I think if you look at the 2025 recruiting class (best in a long time) versus what is happening already in the 2026 class (even better and beating Texas, OU and A&M on recruits)a, SMU is going to become a powerhouse and soon.


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True, and EastStang does list some tough opponents (not sure though that Cal or BC will be as tough or tougher than they were last year, and Miami has to prove what they can do without Cam), but SMU went 5-1 against that list last year and in 2025 gets all of Baylor, Syracuse, Stanford, Miami, and Louisville at home.

[Charleston Pony]

Incoming talent > outgoing talent.

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Not sure I'm in agreement or at least it's too early to make that call until we see how the newcomers perform. We lost several really talented defensive players and it remains to be seen if the offensive production from Brashard and Junior can be replaced

[Lefty]

Incoming talent > outgoing talent.

I hope you're right about that. I'm not sure I agree, as much as I want to.

We lost a ton of talent and production on the defensive line and at linebacker and receiver. The receivers group, to me, might be the biggest question mark.

[RunningStang]

I saw as a kid every home game of the Pony Express era and the team we have now is comparable in size and skill. Alabama is flipping our recruits now and we are flipping TCU’s recruits. Those teams went 49–9-1 in the SWC that was every bit as tough as the SEC today. Five straight top 20 finishes, 3 top 10 and 2 top 5 finishes. This program is just about there again and the ceiling this time is much higher than number 2.


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[Charleston Pony]

I saw as a kid every home game of the Pony Express era and the team we have now is comparable in size and skill. Alabama is flipping our recruits now and we are flipping TCU’s recruits. Those teams went 49–9-1 in the SWC that was every bit as tough as the SEC today. Five straight top 20 finishes, 3 top 10 and 2 top 5 finishes. This program is just about there again and the ceiling this time is much higher than number 2.


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Hope you ae right but it's our BMDs against much larger schools and alumni bases with NIL (now it's legal) so we'll see if SMU can compete as we did when it was all "under the table"