Notre Dame vs. SMU Early Preview: A Potential Top-15 Showdown With HUGE CFP Stakes

Notre Dame faces one of its most dangerous home games of the 2026 season as Rhett Lashlee's SMU Mustangs arrive in South Bend with College Football Playoff aspirations, an explosive offense led by quarterback Kevin Jennings, and one of the ACC's premier offensive lines. Tyler Wojciak is joined by Grayson Singleton of Locked On SMU to continue the opponent preview series by examining the Mustangs' rise into an ACC contender, breaking down Jennings and SMU's offense, evaluating a rebuilt defense under former Notre Dame linebacker Maurice Crum Jr., and discussing what it will take for SMU to challenge the Irish under the lights in late November. (0:00) - Intro (1:22) - SMU's Rise Into an ACC Contender (15:02) - Kevin Jennings Leads a Dangerous Offense (26:18) - Can SMU's Defense Hold Up? Subscribe to the Locked On Irish Podcast: https://link.chtbl.com/LOIrish?sid=So... Follow Tyler on Twitter:   / tylerwojciak   Follow Locked On Irish on Twitter:   / lockedonirish   Follow Locked On Irish on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lockedoniri... Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official! Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans.  Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonirish.supercast.com/ Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! KALSHI For a limited time, Download the Kalshi app and use code [LOCKEDON] to get up to $500 in bonus credits when you trade $25.  The Game Don't miss this chance to celebrate 40 years of The Game with 40% off your entire order. Visit https://TheGameCaps.com and use promo code LOCKEDON at checkout.  Wayfair Patio season is here and these deals won’t last! Head to https://wayfair.com right now to get your outdoor space ready for way less. Wayfair. Every style. Every home.  Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get two-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)