The Mustangs, led by third-year head coach June Jones, were members of Conference USA in the West Division and played their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Due to their victory over Tulsa, the Mustangs represented the division in the 2010 Conference USA Championship Game where they were defeated by UCF 7–17.

The previous match-up was September 13, 2008, a game in which Texas Tech defeated SMU with a final score of 43–7.

For his school-record 61 yard field goal, Matt Szymanski was named Conference USA Special Teams Player of the week.

They last met in the previous season on September 12, 2009, where SMU defeated UAB with a final score of 35 – 33.

They last met in the previous season on September 19, 2009, where Washington State defeated SMU with a final score of 30 – 27.

They last met in the previous season on October 3, 2009, where TCU defeated SMU with a final score of 39 – 14.

They last met in the previous season on November 7, 2009, where SMU defeated Rice with a final score of 31 – 28.

Quarterback Kyle Padron was named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in the game which included three touchdowns, zero interceptions and 371 total yards.

They last met in the previous season on October 10, 2009, where SMU defeated East Carolina with a final score of 28 – 21.