No. 24 SMU to Host Virginia on Saturday

The Mustangs face the Cavaliers in a pivotal ACC matchup at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Football

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No. 24 SMU is set to host Virginia at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026. The game will be broadcast on the CW Network as both teams seek to improve their standing in the ACC conference race.

Why it matters

This matchup carries significant implications for the ACC championship race as both programs look to secure a vital conference victory. SMU enters the contest ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll following a 25-16 win against Boston College.

SMU ranks 70th nationally by allowing 142 rushing yards per game, while the Virginia offense enters the contest averaging 32 points per game this season.

The players

SMU

The Mustangs are a college football program currently ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll.

Virginia Cavaliers

The Cavaliers are a collegiate football team that enters the game averaging 32 points per contest.

Dramekco Green

He is an SMU running back currently unavailable for play due to a hand injury.

The details

SMU will celebrate Salute to Service Day, with Ford Stadium striped in red, white, and blue to honor the U.S. military. The team must navigate this challenge without running back Dramekco Green, who remains sidelined due to a broken hand.

Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11 a.m.

Season Trajectory

This game serves as a critical junction in the ACC standings, directly influencing which programs remain in the hunt for the ACC championship. A win for either side provides a necessary boost for post-season positioning within the conference hierarchy.

SMU's defense must address their national ranking of 70th in rushing yards allowed per game to contain the high-scoring Virginia offense. Fans should monitor if the absence of Dramekco Green forces the Mustangs to rely more heavily on their passing game production.

The takeaway

Attendance at Ford Stadium is expected to be high for the Salute to Service festivities on Saturday morning. Spectators planning to attend should arrive early to observe the stadium-wide striped display.