DALLAS, Texas (THEHILLTOPICS) The SMU Mustangs will have senior day on Saturday, November 30, when they face the California Golden Bears football team.

The Mustangs entered the contest at 10-1 and ranked No. 9 in the nation, averaging 41.1 points per game during the eight-game winning streak.

Rhett Lashlee knew his team, coming off an 11–3 season in 2023, was strong, but he also recognized the need to strengthen the offensive and defensive lines for more challenging competition.

And that’s just what Lashlee has done, leading SMU to where they are now, including the ACC championship. In their last game, the Mustangs tallied a 33-7 victory over Virginia on the road to improve its record to 10-1 and clinch a spot in the ACC Championship game on December 7.Kevin Jennings sits fifth nationally in passing yards per completion (14.32) and sixth in yards per pass attempt (9.55).

Jennings has the highest passer efficiency rating in conference games, only in the ACC at 174.6.

This was the second meeting of all time, with the only other game coming in 1957, where SMU defeated Cal 13-6. Cal enters the game at 6-5 overall and 2-5 in the ACC following a comeback victory at home last week against rival Stanford.

The Mustangs are Cal’s equal as the two defensive leaders in the ACC.

Cal's offensive line is mediocre. It has allowed 40 sacks this season, third most in the ACC and 128th nationally. Cal is 6-5 and 2-5 in the ACC after its 24-21 victory over Stanford, its fourth straight triumph in the Big Game.

The Bears are bowl-eligible, but there is no significant chance they will win in Saturday’s game.