What SMU Must Do to Reach the 2026 Playoff

SMU football, SMU 2026 preview, College Football Playoff, Kevin Jennings, Rhett Lashlee, ACC football, SMU Mustangs football, 2026 college football predictions, ACC championship race, and college football playoff contenders are the focus as Joe DeLeone and Blake Ruffino break down what SMU must do to reach the College Football Playoff in 2026. In this SMU football preview, Joe DeLeone and Blake Ruffino discuss what to expect from the SMU Mustangs as they enter a massive 2026 college football season under Rhett Lashlee. SMU has quickly become one of the most interesting programs in the ACC, and with Kevin Jennings returning at quarterback, the Mustangs have a real opportunity to compete for an ACC Championship and push for a College Football Playoff spot. The biggest key for SMU starts with Kevin Jennings. Joe and Blake break down Jennings’ development, his passing production, his command of Rhett Lashlee’s offense, his decision-making, his turnover control, and whether he can take the next step from productive ACC quarterback to true College Football Playoff-level difference maker. If Kevin Jennings plays at an elite level, SMU football has the offensive firepower to challenge the top teams in the ACC. They also discuss Rhett Lashlee and the job he has done building SMU into a legitimate Power Four contender. Lashlee’s offensive system, transfer portal strategy, recruiting momentum, player development, and aggressive program identity have helped SMU make noise since joining the ACC. Now the question is whether SMU can turn momentum into a conference title run and a College Football Playoff appearance in 2026. This episode looks at SMU’s offense, SMU’s defense, Kevin Jennings’ ceiling, Rhett Lashlee’s coaching impact, ACC schedule challenges, transfer portal additions, returning talent, explosive playmakers, defensive concerns, and the biggest obstacles standing between the Mustangs and the playoff. Joe and Blake also discuss whether SMU can compete with ACC contenders like Clemson, Miami, Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, and more. Can SMU make the College Football Playoff in 2026? Is Kevin Jennings good enough to lead the Mustangs to an ACC Championship? Has Rhett Lashlee built SMU into a real national contender? What does SMU need to fix to take the next step? This preview breaks down the biggest questions surrounding SMU football, ACC football, and the 2026 college football season. If you follow SMU football, SMU Mustangs football, Kevin Jennings, Rhett Lashlee, ACC football, ACC championship predictions, College Football Playoff contenders, college football news, 2026 college football, NCAA football, CFB predictions, transfer portal impact, or college football previews, this breakdown has everything you need to know. #SMUFootball #SMUMustangs #KevinJennings #RhettLashlee #ACCfootball #CollegeFootball #CFB #NCAAFootball #CollegeFootballPlayoff #ACCFootball #CollegeFootballPredictions Sign up for our newsletter! https://ruffinoandjoeshow.beehiiv.com/ Be sure to hit like and subscribe to this channel. Don't miss out on the latest college football news, college football playoff predictions, and college football rankings.