It’s weird to think that SMU vs Notre Dame is becoming a regular thing again. For a long time, these two felt like they lived on different planets. You had the blue-blood Irish, basically the royalty of college football, and then you had the Mustangs, a program that spent decades trying to crawl out from under the "Death Penalty" shadow. But here we are in 2026, and the vibe has completely shifted.
I remember watching SMU struggle for years just to get a seat at the big table. Now? They’re in the ACC. They’re winning 20 games a season in basketball. They’re actually beating the Irish in multiple sports. It’s wild. If you told a fan in the 90s that SMU would be blowing out Notre Dame on the hardwood or trading blows in late-season football matchups, they’d probably ask what you were smoking.
The Football History: A David vs. Goliath Slow Burn
Football is where the heart of this matchup lives. Honestly, the all-time record looks exactly like you’d expect: Notre Dame leads the series 10-3. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The Irish used to treat this game like a warm-up. Back in 1989, Notre Dame absolutely dismantled SMU 59-6. It was brutal. It was the kind of game that made you wonder why they even scheduled it.
But things changed. The 1984 Aloha Bowl is still the one SMU fans talk about over beers. SMU pulled off a 27-20 win in Honolulu, proving that when the Mustangs are "on," they can run with anyone.
- 1930-1949: Notre Dame dominates early, winning three straight.
- 1951: SMU grabs a 27-20 win in South Bend, a massive upset for the era.
- 1984: The legendary Aloha Bowl victory for the Mustangs.
- 1989: The 59-6 blowout that marked the low point for SMU’s post-penalty years.
Lately, the gap has closed. SMU’s transition to the ACC changed the math. They aren't just a "mid-major" looking for a payday anymore. They have the resources, the NIL money, and the recruiting footprint in Texas to actually make Notre Dame sweat.
Why the 2024-2025 Season Changed Everything
If you missed the 2024-2025 athletic cycle, you missed the moment SMU vs Notre Dame actually became a rivalry. It wasn't just about football. It was everything.
In February 2025, the SMU men’s basketball team did something that felt impossible a few years ago. They didn't just beat the Irish; they throttled them. Final score: 97-73. Kario Oquendo went absolutely nuclear, dropping 25 points in 25 minutes. SMU shot 72% in the first half. Think about that for a second. Seventy-two percent. That’s not a basketball game; that’s a layup drill.
Notre Dame looked shell-shocked. Braeden Shrewsberry tried to keep them in it with five three-pointers, but the Mustangs were just faster, stronger, and more aggressive. They outrebounded the Irish 43-20. It was a statement win that basically announced SMU’s arrival in the ACC.
Then you look at volleyball. In October 2024, the #12 ranked Mustangs swept the Irish 3-0. Naya Shime and Maya Tabron combined for 24 kills. It’s becoming a pattern. Across multiple sports, the "little brother" from Dallas is starting to act like the big brother.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The next big football date on the calendar is September 2026. This isn't just a non-conference filler. For Notre Dame, it's about maintaining their status as an Independent powerhouse that can handle ACC-level talent. For SMU, it’s about the "Pony Up" era finally reaching its peak.
💡 You might also like: Is Bo Nix a Rookie? What Most People Get Wrong About the Broncos QB
What to watch for in the next matchup:
- The QB Battle: Notre Dame usually brings in a high-profile transfer or a five-star recruit. SMU, meanwhile, has been using its Texas ties to land explosive playmakers who thrive in high-tempo offenses.
- The Trenches: This is where Notre Dame usually wins. Their offensive line is a factory for the NFL. If SMU can’t stop the run, it’s going to be a long afternoon in South Bend.
- The Atmosphere: Whether it’s at Notre Dame Stadium or Gerald J. Ford Stadium in Dallas, the energy is different now. There’s genuine "new money vs. old money" friction here.
Notre Dame is coming off a 10-2 season in 2025, while SMU finished 9-4 with a big bowl win over Arizona. Both programs are trending upward. The Irish still have that methodical, ball-control style, while SMU wants to turn every game into a track meet.
The ACC Connection: It's Complicated
Even though Notre Dame is still an Independent in football, their scheduling agreement with the ACC means they play five ACC teams a year. SMU joining the conference makes this matchup much more likely to happen frequently. It’s sort of a "frenemy" situation.
Notre Dame needs the ACC for scheduling and bowl tie-ins. SMU needs games against brands like Notre Dame to justify the massive investment their boosters have made. It’s a marriage of convenience that happens to produce some really entertaining sports.
Honestly, the biggest misconception is that SMU is still a "soft" team. They aren't. They’ve built a defense that can actually hit. On the flip side, people assume Notre Dame is always going to be slow and traditional. But under their recent coaching staff, they’ve opened up the playbook.
Practical Insights for Fans
If you're planning to follow this matchup or attend the 2026 game, here’s the deal:
- Tickets go fast. Because SMU fans are desperate to prove themselves against elite teams, the Dallas contingent travels well.
- Watch the spreads. SMU vs Notre Dame is notoriously hard for Vegas to pin down because SMU’s offense can score 21 points in a quarter, but Notre Dame’s defense is designed to suffocate that exact style.
- Check the weather. If the game is in South Bend in late autumn, the advantage shifts heavily to the Irish. SMU's "speed and space" game doesn't always translate to 35-degree rain.
The next step is to keep an eye on the 2026 spring practice reports. Both teams are losing key seniors this year, so the rosters for their next meeting will look significantly different. Follow the recruiting trail in North Texas—that's where SMU is trying to steal the kind of players who used to only look at schools like Notre Dame.
The gap is closing. It’s not a fluke anymore. SMU vs Notre Dame is a legitimate fight now, and 2026 is going to be the biggest chapter yet.