SMU is taking two of its highest-profile future home games off campus to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, according to On3’s Brett McMurphy.
The Mustangs will face Oklahoma on Sept. 11, 2027, and LSU on Sept. 1, 2029, at the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The move marks the first time SMU has played in the Cowboys’ stadium since its famed Pony Express era of the 1980s.
The decision was driven by branding and revenue opportunities, according to McMurphy. Gerald J. Ford Stadium has 33,200 seats, which is significantly less than AT&T Stadium. “Jerry’s world” holds approximately 80,000, creating a significantly larger stage for two non-conference matchups.
The 2027 contest against Oklahoma will complete a home-and-home series after the Sooners won 28-11 in Norman in 2023. SMU’s series with LSU begins in 2028 in Baton Rouge before shifting to Arlington the following season. The 2028 meeting will be the programs’ first since 1934.
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SMU previously played its home games from 1979-86 at Texas Stadium, where it enjoyed the most successful stretch in program history. Led by Eric Dickerson and Craig James, the Mustangs finished No. 5 in the final AP Poll in 1981 and No. 2 in 1982.
Under current coach Rhett Lashlee, SMU reached the College Football Playoff in 2024. The team has posted consecutive 10-3 seasons in 2023 and 2024, their first back-to-back double-digit win seasons since 1981-84.
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