The LSU Tigers and SMU Mustangs are set to clash in an upcoming home-and-home football series, with LSU hosting in 2028 and SMU returning the favor in 2029. The announcement of this series marks a significant addition to both programs’ non-conference slates and provides a fascinating look into how college football continues to evolve. For LSU, a perennial powerhouse in the SEC, scheduling a rising program like SMU offers both opportunity and risk. For SMU, now part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), this is a prime chance to prove it belongs among the elite by taking on one of the sport’s most storied programs in one of college football’s most intimidating environments.
The 2028 matchup will be played in Baton Rouge at Tiger Stadium, also known as “Death Valley,” a venue widely recognized as one of the loudest and most electric in the nation. LSU fans have a reputation for making life miserable for opposing teams, especially during night games when the crowd’s energy reaches a fever pitch. SMU’s trip to Tiger Stadium will not only test their talent on the field but also their composure and mental fortitude. It’s a daunting assignment, but one that comes with enormous upside. Competing—and potentially winning—on the road at LSU could significantly elevate the national perception of SMU’s football program.
In 2029, the return game will be hosted in Dallas, giving SMU a valuable home showcase. The Mustangs have been working diligently to revitalize their football tradition and make a name for themselves on the national stage. Hosting LSU will provide a massive opportunity for exposure, particularly as SMU continues to expand its recruiting footprint. Gerald J. Ford Stadium will undoubtedly be at full capacity for what will be one of the most anticipated games in modern SMU history. The buzz around this game is expected to draw significant attention, including from NFL scouts and national media outlets, particularly if both programs are on the rise.
For LSU, these games serve as a strategic move to strengthen its non-conference schedule while offering a fresh opponent outside the traditional Power Five elite. While some fans might view SMU as a mid-tier opponent, the truth is far more complex. SMU has undergone a steady rise in recent years, investing heavily in coaching, facilities, and recruiting. They’ve landed high-caliber transfers and produced competitive teams that have made noise in their previous conferences. Now aligned with the ACC, SMU has a clearer path to higher-profile bowl games and playoff consideration, making games like these all the more critical.
It also speaks to a broader trend in college football. As the College Football Playoff expands, the emphasis on strength of schedule becomes more crucial. Gone are the days when programs could coast through a slate filled with cupcakes and still earn national respect. High-stakes non-conference games are not only encouraged—they’re practically necessary for teams with playoff aspirations. LSU, a team that’s perennially in the mix, understands that building a playoff résumé means taking calculated risks in scheduling. Facing a team like SMU, which has the potential to be ranked and competitive, is part of that process.
From a recruiting standpoint, this series is intriguing. LSU already recruits nationally but has strong roots in Texas. Playing a game in Dallas allows the Tigers to plant their flag once again in a region that’s critical to their recruiting success. Texas high school football produces more FBS players than any other state, and the presence of LSU in Dallas is bound to make an impression on top-tier prospects. Conversely, SMU benefits immensely from playing in Baton Rouge, a city rich with talent that the Mustangs would love to tap into. The exposure from playing LSU could help SMU sell its vision to recruits who may be looking for a path to playing time and development without going to one of the traditional SEC powers.
There’s also historical significance to this matchup. Though LSU and SMU don’t have a deep-rooted rivalry, they have met in the past. Their last matchup came decades ago, during a different era of college football. Reigniting that connection in a modern context carries symbolic weight. It connects the old Southwest Conference world of SMU with the proud SEC tradition of LSU. For college football traditionalists, this series is a nostalgic nod to a time when geographical crossovers like this were more common.
But beyond the historical context and recruiting implications, the football itself promises to be compelling. LSU under head coach Brian Kelly has continued to build a physical, disciplined, and explosive program. The Tigers bring a blend of elite talent, national prestige, and SEC toughness that makes them a litmus test for any aspiring contender. SMU, meanwhile, is building its brand of fast-paced, offensive-minded football, led by a staff committed to modernizing the playbook and maximizing every inch of the field. That contrast in styles—power versus pace, tradition versus reinvention—should make for an entertaining chess match between coaching staffs.
The timing of the games in 2028 and 2029 is notable, as both schools figure to be in important phases of their development. LSU is expected to remain a contender, and by 2028 may be operating with a roster of players who have only known the expanded playoff format. That shifts how teams manage their seasons, as there’s less margin for error and more importance placed on non-conference wins. SMU, too, could be nearing the apex of its ACC transition, having had several seasons to acclimate to its new conference home. These games may carry serious postseason implications, particularly if both programs enter with one or fewer losses.
Financially, games like these also matter. For SMU, the chance to host a nationally recognized brand like LSU brings television exposure, increased ticket sales, and a boost in merchandise and donations. It’s a program-building opportunity in every sense. For LSU, while revenue is always strong, continuing to grow the brand and maintain national relevance is key to staying ahead in the ever-changing college football landscape. These types of series are an investment in both present and future prestige.
Fan bases from both schools are already buzzing with anticipation, even years ahead of kickoff. For LSU fans, it’s another chance to prove that Death Valley remains a fortress, no matter who walks in. For SMU fans, it’s the chance to witness something special: a heavyweight matchup on their home field and the possibility of an upset that would send shockwaves across the sport. These are the kinds of games that shape legacies and build momentum for entire programs.
There’s also an emotional element to games like this. For players, it’s a chance to play on a national stage, to compete against the best, and to create memories that will last a lifetime. For coaches, it’s a validation of their vision and a high-stakes opportunity to show their schemes can match up with the game’s elite. For fans, it’s a spectacle—the kind of appointment viewing that turns regular Saturdays into unforgettable ones. These games will be circled on calendars, debated on radio shows, and dissected by analysts months in advance.
Ultimately, the LSU-SMU series scheduled for 2028 and 2029 is more than just a couple of football games. It’s a reflection of the changing dynamics in college football, a sport where tradition and innovation now coexist more than ever. It’s a showcase of ambition—from SMU’s desire to be taken seriously on a national level, to LSU’s commitment to challenging itself outside of the SEC. It’s about strategy, opportunity, and the pursuit of greatness. And when the ball is finally kicked off, all of that context will feed into 60 minutes of football that could resonate for seasons to come.
As these two programs prepare for their eventual meetings, they do so with eyes wide open. Both understand what’s at stake. Both know that winning these games could open doors that otherwise might remain closed. And both are hungry for the kind of defining moment that only a marquee matchup can provide. LSU and SMU may come from different worlds, but in 2028 and 2029, they’ll share a field—and possibly write a new chapter in college football’s ever-evolving story.