[1] After defeating Tulane, SMU accepted a bid to compete in the 2023 Fenway Bowl against Boston College.

In the final CFP rankings, SMU fell one spot behind undefeated C-USA champion Liberty University, narrowly missing the opportunity to play in the Fiesta Bowl against Oregon on New Year's Day.

[7] SMU and the American Athletic Conference (AAC) announced the 2023 football schedule on February 21, 2023.

SMU played three of the six new conference members, hosting Charlotte and North Texas and traveled to Rice.

Additionally, SMU hosted AAC foes Tulsa and Navy and traveled to East Carolina, Temple, and Memphis.

The previous day, SMU had announced that it would join the Atlantic Coast Conference starting in the 2024 season.

Stone's concussion put his start against UNT the next week into question, while Daniels did not play again for the rest of the season, announcing his retirement after its conclusion.

On the first play of the game, Jennings fumbled the ball, allowing Tulane to return it to the 1-yard line and score immediately afterwards.