SMU Mustangs

0–0 · 0–0 ACC

Preseason

WEEK 8 · 2026

The Week 8 job

Beat California and avoid turning a likely win into a season problem.

TBD

SAT OCT 24

TV TBA

ACC title-game chanceNow44%Win47%Loss18%

California

California 10%SMU 90%

SMU

By importanceWatch plan

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CBSSN

Priority 1

Massachusetts

at

Root for

UConn

Root for UConn5.2-point playoff boost

UConn winning thins out the at-large competition for your playoff spot.

23% if UConn wins18% with the other result5.2-point differenceSMU playoff chance

TBD

SAT OCT 24

TV TBA

Priority 2

Root for

Pittsburgh

at

Miami

Root for Pittsburgh3.8-point playoff boost

Pittsburgh winning thins out the at-large competition for your playoff spot.

26% if Pittsburgh wins23% with the other result3.8-point differenceSMU playoff chance

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ESPN

Priority 3

NC State

at

Root for

Stanford

Root for Stanford4.0-point title-game boost

ACC race: NC State losing helps your spot in the standings; Stanford visits your schedule in week 13: keep them ranked.

47% if Stanford wins43% with the other result4-point differenceSMU ACC title-game chance

TBD

SAT OCT 24

TV TBA

Priority 4

Root for

Virginia Tech

at

Clemson

Root for Virginia Tech3.9-point title-game boost

ACC race: Clemson losing helps your spot in the standings; Virginia Tech visits your schedule in week 10: keep them ranked.

47% if Virginia Tech wins44% with the other result3.9-point differenceSMU ACC title-game chance

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ESPNU

Priority 5

James Madison

at

Root for

App State

Root for App State1.6-point playoff boost

App State winning thins out the at-large competition for your playoff spot.

25% if App State wins23% with the other result1.6-point differenceSMU playoff chance

TBD

SAT OCT 24

TV TBA

Priority 6

Root for

Boston College

at

Georgia Tech

Root for Boston College2.2-point title-game boost

ACC race: Georgia Tech losing helps your spot in the standings.

46% if Boston College wins44% with the other result2.2-point differenceSMU ACC title-game chance

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ESPN

Priority 7

Duke

at

Root for

Virginia

Root for Virginia1.3-point playoff boost

Virginia winning thins out the at-large competition for your playoff spot.

24% if Virginia wins22% with the other result1.3-point differenceSMU playoff chance

TBD

SAT OCT 24

TV TBA

Priority 8

Root for

Syracuse

at

North Carolina

Root for Syracuse1.9-point title-game boost

ACC race: North Carolina losing helps your spot in the standings; Syracuse visits your schedule in week 9: keep them ranked.

46% if Syracuse wins44% with the other result1.9-point differenceSMU ACC title-game chance

45 more games that don't move your needle

Middle Tennessee at Florida International · CBSSN

Missouri State at Delaware · ESPNU

South Alabama at Marshall · ESPN2

Liberty at Kennesaw State · CBSSN

New Mexico State at Sam Houston · ESPN2

East Carolina at Memphis · ESPN2

Army at Tulsa · ESPN2

Texas A&M at Alabama

LSU at Auburn

Vanderbilt at Kentucky

Oklahoma at Mississippi State

Tennessee at South Carolina

Ole Miss at Texas

Baylor at Kansas

BYU at UCF

Colorado at Oklahoma State

Houston at Utah

Iowa State at Arizona

Kansas State at Arizona State

Texas Tech at Cincinnati

West Virginia at TCU

Oregon at Illinois

Indiana at Michigan

Iowa at Minnesota

Rutgers at Northwestern

Michigan State at UCLA

USC at Wisconsin

San Diego State at Colorado State · The CW Network

Utah State at Texas State · CBSSN

Boise State at Washington State · USA Network

Rice at Florida Atlantic

North Texas at Navy · CBSSN

UTSA at Tulane

Air Force at Wyoming · The CW Network

Hawai'i at Northern Illinois · MW+

San José State at Nevada · MW+

Akron at Kent State

Bowling Green at Buffalo

Eastern Michigan at Ohio

Western Michigan at Toledo

Miami (OH) at Central Michigan

Georgia State at Arkansas State

Louisiana at Southern Miss

Old Dominion at Louisiana Tech

UL Monroe at Troy

Based on 50,000 season simulations entering week 8, with preseason ratings projected from last season. How the model works.