2020 SMU Mustangs football team

The 2020 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University during the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Mustangs were led by third-year coach Sonny Dykes and played their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in University Park, Texas, a separate city within the city limits of Dallas, competed as members of the American Athletic Conference.[1]

2020 SMU Mustangs football
ConferenceAmerican Athletic Conference
Record7–3 (4–3 The American)
Head coach
Co-offensive coordinatorGarrett Riley (1st season)
Co-offensive coordinatorA. J. Ricker (1st season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorKevin Kane (3rd season)
Base defense3–4
Home stadiumGerald J. Ford Stadium
Uniform
Seasons
← 2019
2021 →
2020 American Athletic Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
No. 8 Cincinnati y$   6 0     9 1  
Tulsa y   6 0     6 3  
Memphis   5 3     8 3  
UCF   5 3     6 4  
SMU   4 3     7 3  
Houston   3 3     3 5  
Navy   3 4     3 7  
Tulane   3 5     6 6  
East Carolina   3 5     3 6  
Temple   1 6     1 6  
South Florida   0 7     1 8  
Championship: Cincinnati 27, Tulsa 24
  • $ – Conference champion
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll.

After finishing their regular season with a record of 7–3 (4–3 in conference play), the Mustangs accepted an invitation to the Frisco Bowl,[2] where they were slated to play the UTSA Roadrunners.[3] However, the bowl was subsequently canceled, due to COVID-19 concerns within the SMU football program.[4]

Preseason

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Media poll

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The preseason Poll was released September 1[5]

Media poll
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 UCF 204 (10)
2 Cincinnati 201 (7)
3 Memphis 192 (2)
4 SMU 146
5 Navy 125 (1)
6 Tulane 118
7 Houston 114
8 Temple 88
9 Tulsa 49
10 East Carolina 42
11 South Florida 41

Recruiting class

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References:[6][7]

US college sports recruiting information for high school athletes
Name Hometown High school / college Height Weight 40 Commit date
Junior Aho
Defensive Lineman
Nice, France New Mexico Military Institute 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 260 lb (120 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Will Benton
Long Snapper/Linebacker
Atlanta, GA The Westminster School 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A
Marcus Bryant
Offensive Lineman
Round Rock, TX Cedar Ridge HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 260 lb (120 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Dylan Cordell
Offensive Lineman
Houston, TX Second Baptist HS 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 285 lb (129 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A
Ty DeArman
Safety
Arlington, TX Bowie HS
Oklahoma
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Danny Gray
Wide Receiver
Dallas, TX James Madison HS
Blinn College
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Branson Hickman
Offensive Lineman
McKinney, TX Jesuit College Prep 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 285 lb (129 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Thaddaeus "Thad" Johnson
Wide Receiver
Beaumont, TX West Brook HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 175 lb (79 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Demetri Jordan
Offensive Lineman
Lubbock, TX Coronado HS
Tyler JC
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 330 lb (150 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
DeVere Levelston
Defensive tackle
DeSoto, TX DeSoto HS
Tyler JC
6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 245 lb (111 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Bryan Massey
Cornerback/Safety
Katy, TX Katy HS 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Mason Mastrov
Defensive End
Lafayette, CA Campolindo HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 215 lb (98 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Henry Mossberg
Offensive Lineman
Southlake, TX Southlake Carroll HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 290 lb (130 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Dalton Perdue
Offensive Lineman
El Dorado, AR El Dorado HS 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 315 lb (143 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
John Luke Roberts
Tight End/Long Snapper
Austin, TX Austin Regents HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A
Erin Smith
Offensive Lineman
Little Rock, AR North Little Rock HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 270 lb (120 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Marcus Smith
Offensive Lineman
Stafford, TX Stafford HS 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 315 lb (143 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Ben Sparks
Offensive Lineman
Norman, OK Norman HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 285 lb (129 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Parker Stone
Wide Receiver
Dallas, TX Parish Episcopal School 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) 185 lb (84 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247SportsN/A    ESPNN/A
Trent Strong
Linebacker
Tucson, AZ Salpointe Catholic HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 225 lb (102 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: ScoutN/A   RivalsN/A   247Sports:     ESPNN/A
Karl Taylor
Safety
Midland, TX Midland Lee HS 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) Dec 18, 2019 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 
Warren Wells
Defensive End
Dallas, TX Bishop Lynch HS 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) Feb 5, 2020 
Recruiting star ratings: Scout:    Rivals:    247Sports:     ESPN: 

Schedule

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DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 53:30 p.m.at Texas State*ESPNW 31–247,500
September 195:00 p.m.at North Texas*CBSSNW 65–358,464
September 266:00 p.m.Stephen F. Austin*ESPN+W 50–77,898
October 32:30 p.m.No. 25 Memphis
  • Gerald J. Ford Stadium
  • University Park, TX
ESPN2W 30–277,898
October 165:00 p.m.at TulaneNo. 17ESPNW 37–34 OT1
October 248:00 p.m.No. 9 Cincinnati No. 16
  • Gerald J. Ford Stadium
  • University Park, TX
ESPN2L 13–427,898
October 316:30 p.m.NavyNo. 22
ESPN2W 51–377,898
November 711:00 a.m.at TempleNo. 18ESPN+W 47–232,577
November 146:00 p.m.at TulsaNo. 19ESPN2L 24–283,900
November 2811:00 a.m.at East CarolinaESPN+L 38–523,500
  • *Non-conference game
  •  Homecoming
  • Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
  • All times are in Central time

Rankings

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Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre12345678910111213141516Final
APRVRV*RVRVRV181716221819RVRVRV
CoachesRVRV*RVRVRV211816231819RVRVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Personnel

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2020 SMU Mustangs football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 4 Tyler Page Sr
WR 6 Austin Upshaw Jr
QB 7 Shane Buechele Sr
WR 8 Reggie Roberson Jr. Sr
QB 9 William Brown So
QB 10 Terrance Gipson   Fr
WR 11 Rashee Rice So
QB 12 Derek Green So
WR 13 Judah Bell Jr
WR 15 Calvin Wiggins   Fr
WR 16 Keke Burns   Fr
QB 18 Jacob Oehrlein So
RB 20 Cameron Rosenberger   Fr
RB 21 Tamerik Williams So
RB 25 TJ McDaniel So
RB 26 Ulysses Bentley IV   Fr
RB 30 Tyler Lavine So
TE, FB 40 Kade Ashley So
WR 41 Chad Dines So
WR 42 Beau Barker   Fr
TE 44 Kedrick James Jr
WR 45 Ben Palmer   Fr
WR 47 Devin Aglubat Fr
WR 47 Walker French Jr
WR 48 Devan Reck–Irvin   Fr
OL 57 Cobe Bryant Sr
OL 59 Tai Brooks   Fr
OL 60 Henry Mossberg Fr
OL 64 Cameron Ervin   Fr
OL 65 Thomas Shelmire Fr
OL 66 Sam Burns   Fr
OL 70 Kadarius Smith Sr
OL 71 Jaylon Thomas Jr
OL 72 Demetri Jordan Jr
OL 75 Hayden Howerton Sr
OL 77 Alan Ali Jr
OL 78 Beau Morris Sr
OL 79 Danielson Ike   Fr
TE 81 Ben Redding Jr
WR 82 Parker Stone Fr
TE 83 Kylen Granson Sr
WR 84 Matt Dorrity Jr
WR 85 Keith Jones So
TE 86 Tommy McIntyre Sr
TE 88 Carson Welch Fr
WR 89 Peyton Hudson Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
CB 1 Eric Sutton Sr
DB 2 Cam Jones So
LB 3 Delano Robinson Sr
CB 5 Ar'Mani Johnson Jr
CB 6 Sam Westfall Jr
LB 9 Shaine Hailey Sr
S 10 Ty Dearman Fr
CB 11 Chevin Calloway Jr
CB 12 Kevin Johnson Sr
S 13 Roderick Roberson Jr.   Fr
LB 14 Richard Moore Sr
S 15 Frankie Avantino So
S 16 Trevor Denbow Sr
S 18 Chace Cromartie So
S 20 Athan Natsues So
S 21 Donald Clay   Fr
DB 22 Karl Taylor Fr
LB 24 Jimmy Phillips Jr. Jr
DB 26 Brandon Stephens Sr
S 27 Michael Salerno Jr
CB 28 Christian Davis Sr
CB 29 Justin Guy–Robinson Jr
LB 30 Kyle Blaskovich Jr
LB 31 Armando Fitz Jr
LB 32 JC Rispress Jr
LB 35 John Porter So
CB 36 Terry Keys III So
DE 38 Toby Ndukwe Jr
DT 39 Darren Brown So
LB 41 Preston Ellison Jr
S 42 Ra–Sun Kazadi So
LB 43 Brian Holloway Jr
DT 44 Harrison Loveless Jr
LB 45 Luke Evans   Fr
DE 46 Garnett March II   Fr
S 47 Hunter Ballard   Fr
S 48 Evan Gray   Fr
CB 49 Marcus Nesby   Fr
LB 50 Richard McBryde Sr
DE 51 Warren Walls Fr
LB 52 Deuce Palmer   Fr
LB 53 Garrett Madison   Fr
DE 54 Gerrit Choate Sr
DE 55 Gary Wiley Jr
LB 56 Broc Watkins Sr
LB 57 Ben Frugal   Fr
LB 59 Will Goldberg   Fr
LB 60 Reid Stacy   Fr
DE 61 Jack Young   Fr
LB 63 Eli Frugal   Fr
LB 67 Nick Lerew So
DL 89 Alex Sickafoose   Fr
DE 90 Nelson Paul So
DT 91 Terrance Newman Jr
DT 92 Shabazz Dotson So
DT 93 Elijah Chatman So
DE 94 Mason Mastrov Fr
DT 95 Will Jones Sr
DT 96 DeVere Levelston So
DE 97 Turner Coxe Jr
DT 98 Jacob Pugh Sr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
K 32 Jack Hansing Sr
K 44 Charles Cannon Jr
LS 49 Cole Voyles So
K 94 Wills Thompson III   Fr
P 95 Nick Lang   Fr
K 96 Austin Dennis   Fr
K, P 97 Russell Roberts So
P 99 Warren Scott So


Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster
Last update: June 27, 2020

Depth chart

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Game summaries

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At Texas State

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Pregame line Over/under
SMU −24.5 70[8]
Southern Methodist at Texas State – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mustangs 0 14 14331
Bobcats 0 14 7324

at Bobcat Stadium, San Marcos, TX

  • Date: Saturday, September 5
  • Game time: 3:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 91 °F (33 °C) • Wind: E 8 mph
  • Game attendance: 7,500
  • Referee: Marshall Lewis
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Kris Budden (sideline)
Game information
Statistics SMU Texas State
First downs 26 22
Total yards 544 416
Rushing yards 177 189
Passing yards 367 227
Turnovers 3 2
Time of possession 32:03 27:57

At North Texas

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Pregame line Over/under
SMU −14.0 68.5[9]
Southern Methodist at North Texas – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mustangs 21 13 211065
Mean Green 0 7 141435

at Apogee Stadium, Denton, TX

  • Date: September 19
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Clear • Temperature: 79 °F (26 °C) • Wind: NE 8 MPH
  • Game attendance: 8,464
  • Referee: Tony Calabrese
  • TV announcers (CBSSN): Carter Blackburn (play–by–play), Aaron Taylor (analyst), and Jenny Dell (sideline reporter)
Game information
Statistics SMU North Texas
First downs 33 25
Total yards 710 517
Rushing yards 366 212
Passing yards 344 305
Turnovers 0 2
Time of possession 34:31 25:29

Stephen F. Austin

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Pregame line Over/under
SMU −31.5 58.5[10]
Stephen F. Austin at Southern Methodist – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lumberjacks 0 0 707
Mustangs 22 7 71450

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, TX

  • Date: September 26
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 85 °F (29 °C) • Wind: SE 12 MPH
  • Game attendance: 7,898
  • Referee: Nate Black
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): David Saltzman (play-by-play), LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
Game information
Statistics Stephen F. Austin SMU
First downs 14 24
Total yards 216 432
Rushing yards 51 260
Passing yards 165 172
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 34:25 25:35

Memphis

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Pregame line Over/under
SMU −1.5 75[11]
Memphis at Southern Methodist – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 25 Tigers 3 17 7027
Mustangs 17 7 3330

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, TX

  • Date: October 3
  • Game time: 2:30 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 81 °F (27 °C) • Wind: S 11 mph
  • Game attendance: 7,898
  • Referee: C. Lamertina
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Anish Shroff (play-by-play), Tom Luginbill (analyst), Kris Budden (sideline)
Game information
Statistics Memphis SMU
First downs 26 21
Total yards 501 549
Rushing yards 205 75
Passing yards 296 474
Turnovers 4 2
Time of possession 30:51 29:09

At Tulane

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Pregame line Over/under
SMU −6.5 65[12]
Southern Methodist at Tulane – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34OTTotal
No. 17 Mustangs 10 7 107337
Green Wave 7 10 710034

at Yulman Stadium, New Orleans, LA

  • Date: October 16
  • Game time: 5:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: Mostly Cloudy • Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) • Wind: N 14 mph
  • Game attendance: 0
  • Referee: Anthony Calabre
  • TV announcers (ESPN): Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Kirk Morrison (analyst), Lauren Sisler (sideline)
Game information
Statistics SMU Tulane
First downs 25 23
Total yards 581 387
Rushing yards 142 195
Passing yards 439 192
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 31:01 28:59

Cincinnati

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Pregame line Over/under
SMU -1.0 57[13]
Cincinnati at Southern Methodist – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bearcats 14 0 141442
Mustangs 0 10 0313

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, TX

  • Date: October 24
  • Game time: 8:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 58 °F (14 °C) • Weather: Cloudy • Wind: E 4 mph
  • Game attendance: 7,898
  • Referee: Luke Richmond
  • TV announcers (ESPN2): Beth Mowins, Kirk Morrison and Kris Budden
Game information
Statistics Cincinnati SMU
First downs 17 22
Total yards 439 290
Rushing yards 313 75
Passing yards 126 215
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 27:15 32:45
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Pregame line Over/under
SMU -13.0 59[14]
Navy at Southern Methodist – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Midshipmen 7 10 02037
No. 22 Mustangs 0 31 14651

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, TX

Game information
Statistics Navy SMU
First downs 27 25
Total yards 430 555
Rushing yards 191 255
Passing yards 239 300
Turnovers 1 1
Time of possession 34:27 25:33

At Temple

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Pregame line Over/under
SMU –17 63.5[16]
Southern Methodist at Temple – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 18 Mustangs 7 3 102747
Owls 13 0 3723

at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

  • Date: November 5
  • Game time: 11:05 a.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 70 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: 5 MPH
  • Game attendance: 2,577
  • Referee: Charles Lamertina
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Dave Leno (play–by–play) and Ken Dunek (analyst)
Game information
Statistics SMU Temple
First downs 24 19
Total yards 549 368
Rushing yards 194 157
Passing yards 355 211
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 24:55 35:05

At Tulsa

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Pregame line Over/under
 
Southern Methodist at Tulsa – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
No. 19 Mustangs 14 10 0024
Golden Hurricane 0 7 71428

at Skelly Field at H. A. Chapman Stadium, Tulsa, OK

  • Date: November 14
  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. CDT
  • Game weather: ;
  • Game attendance: 3,000
  • Referee:  
  • TV: ESPN2
Game information
Statistics SMU Tulsa
First downs 27 25
Total yards 455 351
Rushing yards 130 151
Passing yards 325 200
Turnovers 2 1
Time of possession 29:18 30:42

At East Carolina

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Pregame line Over/under
SMU –12.0 72
Southern Methodist at East Carolina – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Mustangs 7 0 171438
Pirates 21 24 0752

at Dowdy–Ficklen Stadium, Greenville, NC

  • Date: November 28
  • Game time: 11:05 a.m. CDT
  • Game weather: 59 °F (15 °C) • Weather: Mostly Clear • Wind: Calm
  • Game attendance: 3,500
  • Referee: Edwin Lee
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Lincoln Rose (play–by–play) and LaDarrin McLane (analyst)
Game information
Statistics SMU East Carolina
First downs 26 28
Total yards 384 493
Rushing yards 70 160
Passing yards 314 333
Turnovers 3 2
Time of possession 29:43 30:17

Houston

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Pregame line Over/under
 
Houston at Southern Methodist – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 Total
Cougars 0
Mustangs 0

at Gerald J. Ford Stadium, University Park, TX

  • Game time: TBD CDT
  • Game weather: ;
  • Game attendance:  
  • Referee:  
  • TV:  
Game information
Statistics Houston SMU
First downs  
Total yards  
Rushing yards  
Passing yards  
Turnovers  
Time of possession  

Players drafted into the NFL

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Round Pick Player Position NFL Club
3 104 Brandon Stephens CB Baltimore Ravens
4 127 Kylen Granson TE Indianapolis Colts

References

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  1. ^ "2020 SMU Football Schedule". FBSchedules.com. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  2. ^ "SMU football will finish season with Frisco Bowl appearance on Dec. 19". Dallas News. December 9, 2020. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  3. ^ "UTSA headed to Frisco Bowl to face SMU". MySanAntonio. December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  4. ^ "Tropical Smoothie Cafe Frisco Bowl Canceled; UTSA to Play in SERVPRO First Responder Bowl". thefriscobowl.com (Press release). December 15, 2020. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  5. ^ "UCF Chosen as Favorite in American Preseason Media Poll". theAmerican.org. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  6. ^ "SMU Football: Signing Day Central". SMU Athletics. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  7. ^ "SMU Football: Signing Day 2020". SMU Athletics. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  8. ^ "SMU Mustangs vs Texas State Bobcats". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
  9. ^ "SMU Mustangs vs North Texas Mean Green". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 20, 2020.
  10. ^ "Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks vs SMU Mustangs". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
  11. ^ "Memphis Tigers vs SMU Mustangs". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 4, 2020.
  12. ^ "SMU Mustangs vs Tulane Green Wave". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 17, 2020.
  13. ^ "Cincinnati Bearcats vs SMU Mustangs". OddsShark.com. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  14. ^ "Navy Midshipmen vs SMU Mustangs". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  15. ^ "Navy at No. 22 SMU – Game Summary – October 31, 2020". ESPN. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  16. ^ "SMU Mustangs vs Temple Owls". Odds Shark. Retrieved November 27, 2020.