"SMU and Preston Stone Ready for the Challenge of ACC Football"

SMU signal-caller Preston Stone no longer mistakenly refers to his team as a member of the American Athletic Conference.

\"I\'m pretty programmed to think (Atlantic Coast Conference) now,\" Stone said with a grin on Monday at ACC Media Days in Charlotte.

Stone and coach Rhett Lashlee will lead the Mustangs into the ranks of power-conference college football in 2024. SMU will join Cal and Stanford as the ACC's three newest member schools.

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While the program's recent football success may be lacking, SMU used to compete against powerhouse teams like Texas, Texas A&M, and Arkansas in the Southwest Conference until its dissolution in 1996.

\"We were on this stage for many years in the Southwest Conference, winning over 11 conference championships, three national titles, and building a rich history and tradition,\" Lashlee said on Monday. \"To have had that and then lost it, and now to have it back, I don't think there's any doubt that our school, and we believe our program, belongs on the national stage. We are grateful for the opportunity to be back.\"

Although the Mustangs have not won a bowl game since 2012, they are coming off an impressive 11-3 season where they went undefeated in the American and won the conference championship game. It was their most successful season since their national championship campaign in 1982.

Despite the chaos of recent conference realignment, Lashlee emphasized that he believes SMU has earned the right to be back on this stage.

\"We understand that this is a different opportunity,\" Lashlee said. \"We are moving up to a higher level of competition. Playing 10 consecutive power games is something we haven't done in almost 30 years. There will be some adjustments to make.\"

One of those adjustments includes strengthening their team to prepare for the increase in talent. According to Lashlee, 13 of SMU's 20 incoming transfers play on either the offensive or defensive line.

Lashlee also noted that SMU's first two ACC opponents will be Florida State and Louisville, the two schools that played in last year's conference championship game.

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\"I am confident that we have a team that will compete,\" Lashlee said. \"What that looks like, I am not sure. We are excited to get out there and see where we stand.\"

In his redshirt sophomore season in 2023, Stone threw for 3,197 yards, 28 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. As a Dallas native, he grew up attending SMU games.

\"I remember when Baylor came to town and Courtland Sutton had an incredible game,\" Stone recalled. \"I also remember when Johnny Manziel dominated us back in 2012.

\"Now, we have the opportunity to play against top-level competition in the ACC. I feel incredibly fortunate to be the quarterback for this school. It's not something I take lightly.\"