(Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images)

SMU begins its bid to repeat or top its success of last year's Atlantic Coast Conference debut season Saturday when it hosts East Texas A&M in Dallas.

The Mustangs enter the season ranked No. 16 in the first Associated Press Top 25 and look to improve upon last year's ACC runner-up finish and berth in the College Football Playoff. SMU went 11-3 before losing to Penn State in the first round of the CFP.

East Texas A&M, an FCS opponent, will face SMU for the first time and is coming off a 3-9 record last season as it transitions to Division I program status.

The Mustangs return multiple key players from their explosive offense, which averaged 36.5 points per game and was ranked ninth nationally last year.

Junior dual-threat quarterback Kevin Jennings returns after throwing for 3,245 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, as well as rushing for 354 yards and five more scores, in 2024.

He'll have tight end R.J. Maryland, who passed up on the NFL draft and returned for one more season.

'I think we had a really good season last year. It didn't end how we wanted it to end, but I think this upcoming year, our end goal is to win it all, win the conference championship,' Jennings said. 'That would be a good season for me.'

However, the Mustangs are seeking new leaders on offense, including receiver Jordan Hudson and running back Derrick McFall, who are expected to assume key roles.

Up front, sixth-year guard Logan Parr returns to lead what's expected to be one of SMU's deepest offensive lines in years.

On defense, SMU is also seeking new contributors, but returns the experience of safety Isaiah Nwokobia, who started all 14 games in 2024. Nwokobia had 100 total tackles and earned first-team All-ACC honors.

The Lions, who received approval to become a full Division I member this summer and are competing in the Southland Conference, are hoping to qualify for the FCS playoffs this year and bolster a defense that allowed an average of 393 yards per game last season.

This will be the first of two consecutive games against ACC opponents as East Texas A&M will face Florida State on the road next week.

'We'll hold our own,' East Texas A&M coach Clint Dolezel told Northeast Texas' KETR during the Southland Conference's recent 'Opening Drive' event hosted in San Antonio. 'We've won national championships at every level. Why not us again?'

The Lions began last season 1-8 before winning two of their final three games and generating some optimism within the program.

Two of the biggest reasons for a potential brighter outlook for the Lions in 2025 are wide receiver Christian Jourdain and linebacker Kyree Anderson.

Jourdain was East Texas A&M's leading receiver last season with 51 catches for 683 yards and six touchdowns.

Anderson totaled 2.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and an interception last season and will be especially relied upon against an explosive SMU offense.

Senior quarterback Ron Peace, who threw for 2,535 yards, 16 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, is also back to conduct the Lions' offense.

--Field Level Media