SMU’s trip to the College Football Playoff next week is the culmination of over a century of history behind one of college sports’ most complicated programs.
From national championships and Heisman winners to the dark years after suffering the NCAA’s first and only death penalty punishment, the Mustangs have held an important place in college football.
Their journey can largely be followed through the Associated Press’ weekly rankings, which began in 1936, just 21 years after SMU played its first football season.
Related:SMU bandwagon guide: Get caught up on the Mustangs before the College Football Playoff
Sports Roundup
Here’s a look back at the Mustangs’ highest AP ranking each year and how they returned to prominence in 2024 and their highest ranking in decades.
1915-1959
Quickly after the AP poll’s creation, SMU became a regular. The first chapter of the program’s history was highlighted by Heisman winner Doak Walker’s career, its only No. 1 ranking in history and appearing in the AP poll in 12 out of 13 years from the late 1940s to late ‘50s.
1960-1989
The Pony Express brought the Mustangs back into the national spotlight, as Eric Dickerson and Craig James led them to an undefeated season in 1982 and a No. 2 ranking overall. The stretch from 1979-86 was the longest that the Mustangs went earning a spot in the AP poll each year before the death penalty ended the glory days and set the program back 40 years.
1990-2024
On Feb. 25, 1987, the NCAA announced it would impose the death penalty on SMU, canceling the next season and stripping the program of many of its allotted scholarships. It followed an investigation that found players received cash payments with the assistance of athletic department staff members from a slush fund provided by a booster. The fallout prompted SMU to also cancel the 1988 season, saying that it would not have enough experienced players to field a competitive team since most transferred.
That started a nearly 40-year journey back to college football’s promised land and over 30 years without earning recognition in the AP’s rankings. But since 2019, the Mustangs have made a rapid rise, cracking the top 10 again, returning to a power conference in the ACC this season and reaching the College Football Playoff.
National Bobblehead Hall of Fame unveils SMU Peruna bobbleheads to celebrate CFP berthDefensive coordinator Scott Symons signs extension with SMU
Find more college sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.
Find more SMU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.