IRVING, Texas (The American/SMU) – SMU was picked to finish third in the 2023 American Athletic Conference Preseason Media Poll, league officials announced Tuesday.
Tulane garnered the most points in the poll with 457 and picked up 20 first-place votes, while UTSA was second with 440 points and nine first-place votes. SMU checked in third, with 397 points and three first-place votes.
The Mustangs finished 2022 with a 7-5 regular season record, and an appearance in the New Mexico Bowl against BYU. SMU ranked 14th in the nation in total offense, 12th in scoring offense, and seventh in both red zone offense and passing offense. Furthermore, the Mustangs were among the best-disciplined teams in the nation, committing the 11th fewest penalties across FBS teams.
The appearance in the New Mexico Bowl made the Mustangs bowl eligible for the fourth straight season. The streak is the longest since SMU went to four bowls from 2009-12 and made the Mustangs bowl eligible in five of the past six seasons. The program has won at least seven games each season dating back to 2019, making it the longest stretch with at least seven wins since the 2009-12 seasons. It was also the first season the Mustangs have won five conference games since going 6-2 in league play in 2019.
SMU opens the 2023 season Sept. 2 at Ford Stadium against Louisiana Tech. The Mustangs travel to Oklahoma for the front half of a home-and-home series with the Sooners on Sept. 9, with the return trip to Dallas in 2027, and the Battle for the Iron Skillet heads to Fort Worth on Sept. 23 when SMU faces Metroplex rival TCU. The Mustangs host Prairie View A&M Sept. 16.
SMU will play three weeknight games this upcoming season, including a Friday night match-up at home against new American Athletic Conference member North Texas on Nov. 10. Back-to-back road games are set for Thursday, Oct. 12 at ECU and Friday, Oct. 20 at Temple. The conference slate opens at home on Sept. 30 when the Mustangs host Charlotte for Family Weekend, and SMU also welcomes Tulsa (Oct. 28 - Homecoming) and Navy (Nov. 25) to the Hilltop. The final two games to complete the schedule are road match-ups at Rice (Nov. 4) and Memphis (Nov. 18).
Remaining kickoff times and TV information will be announced at a later date.
Season tickets are available at SMUMustangs.com/tickets or by calling 214-SMU-GAME. For any additional ticket questions please contact 214-SMU-GAME or email tickets@smu.edu.
2023 American Athletic Conference Preseason Media Poll
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Team (First-Place Votes)
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Points
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1.
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Tulane (20)
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457
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2.
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UTSA (9)
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440
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3.
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SMU (3)
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397
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4.
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Memphis (1)
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362
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5.
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Florida Atlantic
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312
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6.
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East Carolina
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303
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7.
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North Texas
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261
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8.
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UAB (1)
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209
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9.
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Navy
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199
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10.
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Temple
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182
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11.
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Tulsa
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160
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12.
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Rice
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138
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13.
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South Florida
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86
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14.
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Charlotte
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64
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