College football is basically a series of breakups and awkward reunions now. If you've been following the chaos of conference realignment, you know the feeling. One day you're playing your neighbor for a century, and the next, you're flying across three time zones to play a "conference rival" you couldn't find on a map.
The SMU vs Baylor football rivalry is the ultimate survivor of this mess.
They first met in 1916. Think about that. Most people weren't even driving cars back then. They played through the glory days of the Southwest Conference (SWC), survived the "Death Penalty" that nearly erased SMU from existence, and managed to find each other again in 2024 and 2025 despite living in completely different worlds.
Honestly, the 2025 game was one for the books. It was a 48-45 double-overtime thriller that basically proved why these two schools need to keep playing. Baylor walked away with the win in Dallas, extending their winning streak to 14 straight games over the Mustangs. But it wasn't easy. SMU was ranked No. 17 at the time, and they looked every bit like an ACC powerhouse-in-the-making until Sawyer Robertson and the Bears pulled off a massive comeback.
Why the 2026 Postponement Stung So Much
We were supposed to have a rematch in Waco in September 2026. Fans had it circled. Then, reality hit.
In December 2025, the news dropped that the SMU vs Baylor football game for 2026 was officially postponed. Why? Because the ACC decided to move to a nine-game conference schedule. SMU suddenly had too many games on the calendar, including a massive date with Notre Dame. Something had to give. SMU paid the buyout, and Baylor filled the slot with Louisiana Tech.
It kinda sucks.
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For fans, it’s not just about a game; it’s about the 90 miles of I-35 that separate the two campuses. It’s about recruiting battles. It’s about the fact that both schools are private, religious institutions with a shared history of being the "other guys" in a state dominated by UT and A&M.
The Numbers That Actually Matter
If you look at the record books, Baylor leads the series roughly 39-36-7. It’s incredibly close for a rivalry that has spanned over 100 years.
- The Streak: Baylor hasn't lost to SMU since 1986. That is a long time. To put it in perspective, Ronald Reagan was president and "Top Gun" was the #1 movie.
- The Scoring: In that 2025 classic, Kevin Jennings threw for nearly 300 yards for SMU, while Sawyer Robertson lit it up for 440 yards for the Bears.
- The Proximity: The two schools are almost exactly 100 miles apart.
Coach Rhett Lashlee has been vocal about wanting to get SMU back to the heights of the SWC era. He knows the history. He knows that to be the best team in North Texas, you have to beat the teams in your own backyard.
The Cultural Divide: Dallas Flash vs. Waco Grit
There is a specific energy to SMU vs Baylor football that you don't get elsewhere. SMU is "Dallas." It’s the Hilltop. It’s the Boulevard. It’s a bit of flash and a lot of tradition.
Baylor? It’s McLane Stadium on the Brazos. It’s the "Line." It’s a program that has seen the absolute bottom and climbed its way to Big 12 championships and New Year’s Six bowls.
When these two meet, it’s a clash of identities. SMU fans think Baylor is a bit too rural; Baylor fans think SMU is a bit too pretentious. It’s perfect.
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What Most People Get Wrong About the Rivalry
People think this rivalry died when the SWC collapsed in 1995. It didn't. It just went into hibernation.
When the schools met in 2012, 2014, and 2015, the games were often lopsided. Baylor was in its "Gunslinger" era under Art Briles, and SMU was still struggling to find its footing after decades of mediocrity. People started saying the rivalry wasn't "competitive" anymore.
The 2025 game changed that narrative completely. SMU proved they belong in the Power 4 conversation, and Baylor proved they still have that "find a way to win" DNA. If you were at Gerald J. Ford Stadium that night, you didn't see a dead rivalry. You saw two teams that genuinely disliked each other and played like their season depended on it.
Looking Ahead to the Next Chapter
So, where do we go from here?
The 2026 cancellation is a bump in the road, but it’s not the end. Both athletic departments have expressed interest in rescheduling. The reality of the new college football landscape is that non-conference schedules are harder to navigate than ever. You have to balance strength of schedule for the playoff with traditional games that the fans actually care about.
For SMU, the move to the ACC is a game-changer. They aren't the "little brother" anymore. They have the resources and the conference affiliation to compete at the highest level.
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For Baylor, maintaining these regional games is vital for their identity in a Big 12 that now stretches from West Virginia to Arizona.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're a fan of either program, here is how you should navigate the next couple of years:
- Watch the 2027 Schedule: Baylor has Oregon and Air Force on the books for 2027. If SMU can find a gap in their ACC slate, that would be the prime window for a "neutral site" or rescheduled home game.
- Support the Recruiting Trail: These games are won in December and February. Watch the overlap in players recruited by both Dave Aranda and Rhett Lashlee. The "Battle for Dallas" is happening every day in high school gyms across North Texas.
- Appreciate the History: Don't let the conference logos fool you. SMU and Baylor share more DNA than they do with teams in California or Florida.
College football is changing fast. We’re losing the Apple Cup and the Bedlam game is on life support. We shouldn't let SMU vs Baylor football slip through the cracks just because the schedule got a little crowded.
The next time these two meet—whenever that is—expect fireworks. Because in Texas, 90 miles is a short drive for a very long grudge.
Next Steps:
To stay ahead of the next scheduling update, you should monitor the official athletic sites for SMU and Baylor during the spring meetings in May. This is typically when non-conference buyouts and rescheduling agreements are finalized for the 2027-2030 windows. Additionally, keep an eye on the ACC's final implementation of the nine-game schedule, as any further tweaks there will directly impact SMU's ability to fit Baylor back onto the calendar.