The Mustangs played their home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas, and competed in the West Division of the American Athletic Conference.

On December 11, SMU hired Sonny Dykes as head coach, and he led them in their bowl game.

They were invited to the Frisco Bowl where they lost to Louisiana Tech.

The schedule consisted of 7 home and 5 away games in the regular season.

The Mustangs hosted AAC foes UConn, Tulane, Tulsa, and UCF, and traveled to Cincinnati, Houston, Tulane, and UCF.