SMU Mustangs

0–0 · 0–0 ACC

Preseason

WEEK 9 · 2026

The Week 9 job

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

TBD

SAT OCT 31

TV TBA

ACC title-game chanceNow44%Win48%Loss20%

SMU

SMU 87%Syracuse 13%

Syracuse

By importanceWatch plan

TBD

SAT OCT 31

TV TBA

Priority 1

Miami

at

Root for

North Carolina

Root for North Carolina5.6-point playoff boost

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

28% if North Carolina wins22% with the other result5.6-point differenceSMU playoff chance

TBD

SAT OCT 31

TV TBA

Priority 2

Root for

Stanford

at

Louisville

Root for Stanford4.6-point title-game boost

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

48% if Stanford wins44% with the other result4.6-point differenceSMU ACC title-game chance

TBD

SAT OCT 31

TV TBA

Priority 3

Root for

Boston College

at

Duke

Root for Boston College4.5-point title-game boost

ACC race: Duke losing helps your spot in the standings.

48% if Boston College wins43% with the other result4.5-point differenceSMU ACC title-game chance

TBD

SAT OCT 31

TV TBA

Priority 4

Root for

California

at

NC State

Root for California3.9-point title-game boost

ACC race: NC State losing helps your spot in the standings.

47% if California wins43% with the other result3.9-point differenceSMU ACC title-game chance

TBD

SAT OCT 31

TV TBA

Priority 5

Clemson

at

Root for

Florida State

Root for Florida State3.6-point title-game boost

ACC race: Clemson losing helps your spot in the standings.

46% if Florida State wins43% with the other result3.6-point differenceSMU ACC title-game chance

48 more games that don't move your needle

Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh

Missouri at Arkansas

Virginia at Wake Forest

Delaware at Western Kentucky · CBSSN

Sam Houston at Missouri State · ESPN2

Jacksonville State at New Mexico State · ESPN2

Kennesaw State at Middle Tennessee · CBSSN

Florida Atlantic at North Texas

Troy at James Madison

Tulane at Charlotte · ESPN2

Florida at Georgia · ABC

Auburn at Ole Miss

South Carolina at Oklahoma

Mississippi State at Texas

Arizona at Texas Tech

Arizona State at BYU

Baylor at UCF · ESPN

Kansas at TCU

Kansas State at Colorado

Oklahoma State at Iowa State

Utah at Cincinnati

Minnesota at Indiana

Wisconsin at Iowa

Illinois at Maryland

Washington at Nebraska

Northwestern at Oregon

Purdue at Penn State

Michigan at Rutgers

Nevada at UCLA

Ohio State at USC

Navy at Notre Dame

Texas State at Boise State · The CW Network

Washington State at San Diego State · CBSSN

Colorado State at Utah State · USA Network

Oregon State at Fresno State · USA Network

UConn at Air Force · MW+

Army at Memphis

Temple at East Carolina

UAB at South Florida

New Mexico at San José State · MW+

Northern Illinois at UNLV · CBSSN

Bowling Green at Western Michigan · CBSSN

App State at Georgia Southern

Coastal Carolina at Georgia State

Florida International at Liberty · CBSSN

Southern Miss at UL Monroe

Marshall at Old Dominion

Louisiana Tech at South Alabama

Based on 50,000 season simulations entering week 9, with preseason ratings projected from last season. How the model works.