SMU Selected for the Holiday Bowl

Via Mustang Wire

The SMU Mustangs are San Diego–bound!

SMU has officially accepted an invitation to play in the 46th annual Trust & Will Holiday Bowl.

The Mustangs will take on Big 12 opponent Arizona on January 2 at 7 PM CT at Snapdragon Stadium, with the matchup airing nationally on FOX.

This marks seven straight postseason appearances for SMU, the longest bowl streak in program history. After an 8–4 regular season, the Mustangs now look to secure a third consecutive season with nine or more wins, which would tie the longest such streak in school history.

Mustang Nation, get ready, it’s bowl season!

Hidden Gem Report: Manvel vs. Summer Creek

By: Darren Hendricks

When you step on the field against Summer Creek, you better pack your lunch and your pride, because Benny Easter is going to take both. From the second play of the game vs Manvel, the Texas Tech commit made it clear this one wasn’t going to be close. On just his second touch, he broke free for six, and that was the start of what felt like a personal highlight reel.

First Quarter: The Benny Easter Show

It didn’t take long for the Bulldogs to remind everyone who runs the Creek. Eric Mosley punched the gas with a 35-yard burst that had the crowd roaring, and a short 3-yard gain capped off the drive for another Maverick score. But then… Benny happened again. A 70-yard sprint that looked effortless, pure acceleration, clean stride, elite vision. That’s a college-ready touchdown, and it pushed Creek ahead early.

Manvel tried to counter and had moments. Grayson Robinson delivered a monster sack that nearly flipped momentum. His length, get-off, and bend scream “next level.” But a hands-to-the-face penalty on 4th down extended the drive, and Summer Creek made them pay.

Benny’s third touchdown came on a slant, quick, sharp, confident. By the end of the first quarter, the Tech commit already had over 100 yards and three touchdowns. He wasn’t just dominating , he was dismantling.

Second Quarter: Creek Keeps the Foot on the Gas

After a safety on the Mavs’ end-zone kickoff return, Tyler Hosea added another score, a smooth 15-yard touchdown that stretched the lead even further. Manvel’s Dante Mays tried to breathe life back into the offense with a tough 12-yard run, but any spark they created, Benny snuffed out.

Savion James’ interception and 34-yard return set up yet another Easter touchdown, his fourth and it was only halftime. More than 200 yards in two quarters. This wasn’t just a performance; it was a statement.

Final Half: The Dawgs Dominate

By the time the dust settled, Benny Easter had racked up five touchdowns and 240 yards, while quarterback Noah Spinks threw for over 450. Summer Creek walked out with a 72–35 win that felt like a clinic in execution, speed, and pure athletic dominance.

Final Take

If you were in the stands Friday night, you didn’t just watch a football game, you watched a future Red Raider remind the state of Texas why he’s special. Benny Easter isn’t waiting for Saturdays to shine. Every Friday is his national stage, and as long as he’s suited up for Summer Creek, every game is an Easter holiday.

Mustangs Debut at No. 21 in 2025 College Football Playoff Rankings

By Marc Henry Via Mustang Wire

IRVING, Texas (SMU) – SMU Football officially entered the 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings on Tuesday, landing at No. 21 after being unranked in all previous releases this season. The appearance marks the 10th time in program history that the Mustangs have been included in the CFP Top 25.

SMU now turns its attention to a pivotal road matchup at Cal on Saturday, where a win would secure the program’s second trip to the ACC Championship Game. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT on ESPN2.

SMU in the College Football Playoff Rankings – All-Time Results

Year	Date	Ranking
2019	Nov. 5	25
2019	Nov. 19	25
2023	Dec. 3	24
2024	Nov. 5	13
2024	Nov. 12	14
2024	Nov. 19	13
2024	Nov. 26	9
2024	Dec. 3	8
2024	Dec. 8	10
2025	Nov. 25	21

About the College Football Playoff

The College Football Playoff determines the national champion of Division I football. Following the regular season, the CFP selection committee ranks the top 25 teams, with the five highest-ranked conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked teams advancing to the 12-team playoff format. The top four seeds receive first-round byes, while teams ranked Nos. 5–12 meet in on-campus first-round games.

Quarterfinal and semifinal matchups rotate annually among six premier bowl games: the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential, and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship is set for Monday, January 19, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.