SMU’s second ACC season delivered another winning record, their fourth straight under Rhett Lashlee, despite a rocky start that saw them fall out of the top 25. Four close losses—by just 3, 11, 1, and 3 points—highlighted their resilience. QB Kevin Jennings thrived, throwing for 3,600+ yards and 26 TDs while leading the conference in interceptions. The receiving corps shined, with three players combining for over 2,000 yards, and the defensive line dominated, led by captain Isaiah Smith, who topped the ACC in tackles for loss and sacks. Looking ahead to 2026, SMU returns nearly all its offensive starters, including Jennings, and adds explosive transfer RB Kendrick Raephael, a conference leader in total yards and TDs. But the defense faces a major overhaul—four key linemen are gone to the NFL, replaced by portal recruits and a JUCO player, potentially weakening their front seven. With a potent offense poised to lead the ACC, SMU’s success next year will hinge on whether their revamped defense can keep up.

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Syracuse’s Fran Brown heads to the ACC Kickoff for the third time, bringing a loaded roster including QB Steve Angeli (recovering from a brutal Achilles injury), standout LB Antoine Deslauriers, and DB Demetres Samuel Jr. — all set to face media scrutiny as the Orange aim to bounce back. Angeli’s health remains the biggest question, while Brown could drop fresh motivational fire — maybe even a new catchphrase. Meanwhile, the ACC unveils new tiebreaker rules to guarantee the top teams reach the championship, as the conference expands and schedules grow more complex. This is the moment to set the tone — and the media’s all ears.

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ACC Football just shook things up with a new tiebreaker rule designed to crown the two best teams—not just those who beat each other. Gone is the old head-to-head focus; now, strength of schedule and overall performance decide who gets to the championship game and potentially the College Football Playoff. This change comes after last year’s puzzling outcome where Duke won the title but didn’t even crack the playoff rankings. With the ACC expanding and uneven conference schedules, the new system aims to reward teams with tougher paths and ensure deserving squads get national recognition. For Syracuse, this could open new doors—or create unexpected hurdles—depending on how their season unfolds. Coach Fran Brown and players will be at the kickoff in Charlotte, offering more insight as the season heats up.

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