Kickoff times, TV coverage for SMU vs. UC-Davis, Louisville, Virginia Tech announced

SMU's 2026 schedule and kickoff times were released by the ACC on Wednesday, outlining three early televised tests for Lashlee's Mustangs. The season begins with a Labor Day weekend trip to Florida State, a 6:30 p.m. CT nationally televised matchup on ESPN. The home opener against UC-Davis follows on Sept. 12 at 3:00 p.m. CT on ACC Network Extra, with a subsequent game at Louisville set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN or ESPN2 on Sept. 19. A Friday night contest against Virginia Tech on Nov. 6 is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CT on ESPN. The schedule also lists Missouri State on Sept. 26 and Boston College on Oct. 3 with times TBD, while Week 6 is a bye and the rest of the slate will be announced later. Lashlee lauded a more physical, more athletic roster and noted the Catapult system shows the team moving faster than last season. He said the squad has progressed through about 10-11 practices this spring, building energy and competitiveness on both sides of the ball. The coach emphasized that greater depth should help across special teams and in crunch moments, after last year's late losses. Ongoing summer conditioning remains in place as SMU prepares to maximize talent without a protracted slump.