DALLAS (SMU)—SMU football was among several teams that found itself receiving votes in the initial 2023 USA TODAY Sports AFCA Coaches Poll on Monday.

The Mustangs received eight votes in the first poll of the season, marking the first time the team has received votes in the poll since the opening week of last year.

The USA TODAY Sports AFCA football coaches poll is conducted weekly throughout the regular season using a panel of 63 head coaches at Football Bowl Subdivision schools. The panel is chosen by random draw, conference by conference plus independents, from a pool of coaches who have indicated to the American Football Coaches Association their willingness to participate. Each coach submits a Top 25 with a first-place vote worth 25 points, second place 24, and so on down to one point for 25th.

The preseason honors continue to roll in for SMU as a handful have already earned preseason recognition by Phil Steele, Athlon Sports, Dave Campbell's Texas Football, East-West Shrine Bowl, College Football Network, Outland Trophy, Ray Guy Award, Wuerffel Trophy, and the Rimington Trophy. 

The Mustangs kick off the 2023 season against Louisiana Tech on Saturday, Sept. 2, at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. 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.