What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs football team is set to play against Missouri State Bears in a historic matchup on September 13, 2025. This game marks the first meeting between the two programs and is part of a home-and-home series agreed upon in June 2024. The contract for this series was signed during a period of transition for both teams. At the time, SMU was preparing to leave the American Athletic Conference for the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), while Missouri State was moving up from the Division I FCS level to the Division I FBS level, joining Conference USA. The game will be Missouri State's home opener as an FBS program, following two road games against USC and Marshall.
Why It's Important?
This matchup is significant as it highlights the shifting landscape of college football conferences. Missouri State's move to the FBS level and Conference USA represents a major step up in competition and visibility for the program. For SMU, playing against a newly elevated FBS team like Missouri State offers a unique challenge and an opportunity to solidify its standing in the ACC. The game also underscores the broader trend of conference realignments in college sports, which can impact recruitment, funding, and the competitive balance across the NCAA. Both programs stand to gain increased exposure and experience from this series.
What's Next?
Following this game, SMU and Missouri State will continue their home-and-home series with a return game scheduled for September 26, 2026, in Dallas at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The outcome of this initial matchup could influence future scheduling decisions and partnerships for both programs. Additionally, as Missouri State continues its inaugural FBS season, its performance against established programs like SMU will be closely watched by stakeholders and could affect its future in Conference USA.
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