It was late on a Saturday night in September 2025 when the Dallas air felt heavy, not just with humidity, but with a decade of frustration. SMU fans were screaming. They thought they finally had it. They were ranked #17 in the country, playing in a fancy new conference, and had Baylor right where they wanted them at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. Then the game went to double overtime.
When the dust settled, Baylor walked off with a 48-45 win. It was a classic. It was also the 14th straight time the Bears had beaten the Mustangs, a streak that stretches back to before most of the players on the field were even born.
If you grew up in Texas, the Baylor vs SMU football matchup is more than just a non-conference date on a calendar. It’s a ghost of the old Southwest Conference (SWC). It’s a battle between the two major private religious universities in the state—one Baptist, one Methodist—separated by only 90 miles of I-35.
✨ Don't miss: Ole Miss vs Washington State: Why the 2025 Matchup Mattered More Than the Score
The 2025 Thriller and the Canceled 2026 Rematch
Honestly, that 2025 game was supposed to be the start of a beautiful home-and-home renewal. We hadn't seen these two play since 2016. The atmosphere in Highland Park was electric because SMU was finally "back" in the big leagues of the ACC.
Kevin Jennings was slinging it for the Mustangs, and T.J. Harden was tearing up the turf with 115 rushing yards and three touchdowns. But Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson found Josh Cameron for a 48-yard strike late in the fourth, and the Bears just refused to die. Connor Hawkins eventually sealed it with a field goal in the second OT.
But then, the news dropped in December 2025 that felt like a punch to the gut for local fans. The 2026 game in Waco? Canceled. Well, "postponed" is the official word, but Baylor already replaced them with Louisiana Tech for that September 2026 slot. Why? Basically, the ACC moved to a nine-game conference schedule. SMU also had a massive game against Notre Dame on the books for 2026, and something had to give. They chose to pay the buyout and skip the trip to McLane Stadium. It’s a business move, sure, but it sucks for the rivalry.
A History Rooted in the Southwest Conference
To understand why people get so worked up about Baylor vs SMU football, you have to look at the history. These two first played in 1916. For decades, they were staples of the SWC, playing every single year like clockwork.
Then 1996 happened.
The SWC collapsed. Baylor got the invite to the Big 12. SMU, still reeling from the "Death Penalty" years and lacking the political muscle at the time, was left behind. They spent years wandering through the WAC, Conference USA, and the American. The gap between the programs widened. Baylor started winning Big 12 titles, and SMU struggled to find its footing.
The lopsided nature of the recent record is staggering:
- Current Streak: Baylor has won 14 in a row.
- Last SMU Win: 1986 (A 27-21 victory).
- Total Series: Baylor leads 40-36-7.
It’s crazy to think that SMU dominated this series from 1966 to 1973, winning eight straight. But since the late 80s, it has been all green and gold. Even when SMU is the better team on paper—like they arguably were in 2025—the "Baylor Hex" seems to hold firm.
Why This Game is Different from TCU or Houston
You’ve got the Iron Skillet (SMU vs. TCU), and you’ve got the old battles with Houston. But Baylor and SMU share a specific "private school" culture. These are high-academic, high-resource institutions that recruit the same kids from the same Dallas-Fort Worth suburbs.
👉 See also: MLB Umpire Salary: What Most People Get Wrong About the Payday
Rhett Lashlee, SMU’s head coach, pointed out before the last meeting that their roster and Baylor's combined for over 130 players from the state of Texas. These guys grew up together. They played 7-on-7 together. They know each other’s families.
When they play, it’s not just about a trophy; it’s about who gets the upper hand in recruiting the next four-star wide receiver out of DeSoto or Southlake Carroll.
What’s Next for the Rivalry?
With the 2026 game off the table, we’re back in a waiting game. Because of how packed conference schedules are now—Big 12 has 9 games, ACC has 9 games—finding a Saturday that works for both teams is a nightmare.
📖 Related: Real Valladolid vs Atlético Madrid: What Most People Get Wrong
Insiders suggest we might not see Baylor vs SMU football again until 2029 or 2030 at the earliest. It’s a shame, really. College football is losing these local, historical ties in favor of cross-country conference games that don't have half the soul of a Waco vs. Dallas showdown.
If you're looking for actionable ways to keep up or get involved with the future of this matchup, here is what you can do:
- Monitor the 2029 non-conference calendars: Both teams currently have openings for that season. This is the most likely "landing spot" for the rescheduled Waco leg of the series.
- Check out the secondary market for 2026: If you had tickets for the Baylor/SMU game in Waco, look into the Louisiana Tech replacement or see if your ticket office is offering credits for future "premium" non-conference games like the Baylor-Auburn series.
- Watch the recruiting trails: Even without a game on the field, keep an eye on "head-to-head" recruiting battles between Dave Aranda and Rhett Lashlee. The winner of those battles usually determines who wins the next time they actually kick off.
The reality is that Baylor vs SMU football is a survivor. It survived the death penalty, the death of a conference, and decades of irrelevance. A cancellation in 2026 is a bummer, but this rivalry is far from finished.