On November 6, 2026, the Virginia Tech Hokies will travel to Dallas, Texas, to meet the SMU Mustangs in a highly anticipated ACC showdown. The matchup marks a rare meeting between the two programs, whose last encounter dates back to the 1970s, and it arrives at a pivotal moment for both teams.
SMU’s rise over the past two seasons has been nothing short of remarkable. After finishing atop the ACC regular‑season standings in their inaugural conference year, the Mustangs secured a Holiday Bowl victory and now sit at No. 28 in Bill Connelly’s preseason SP+ rankings. Their offense, anchored by quarterback Kevin Jennings, returns with a wealth of experience.
The quarterback duel
Jennings has compiled 6,886 passing yards and 58 total touchdowns in just two years, including a 3,641‑yard, 26‑touchdown campaign last season. His precision and poise have made him a focal point for SMU’s attack, which will also welcome newcomers Yannick Smith and Theo Melin Öhrström to bolster the receiving corps. In contrast, Virginia Tech will rely on Ethan Grunkemeyer, the program’s new presumptive starter, to lead a unit that finished the season with a projected 5‑3 record.
The Mustangs will be looking to rebound from a late‑season loss to California and a narrow defeat in the first round of the College Football Playoff, while Virginia Tech aims to translate its early‑season promise into a more consistent finish. Both teams will also be navigating roster changes, as SMU has lost leading rusher T.J. Harden to the Cleveland Browns and top receiver Jordan Hudson to the Dallas Cowboys.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN, ensuring a national audience for a contest that could influence ACC standings and playoff conversations. After the Dallas matchup, Virginia Tech’s schedule includes games against Stanford, Miami, and Virginia, each presenting its own set of challenges.