Brashard Smith and ninth-ranked SMU never felt they were finished, even when already locked into the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game in their league debut.“It was really important, just being undefeated in the conference,

SMU set pretty clear and realistic goals for its first season in the ACC. The Mustangs anticipated that the jump from the American Athletic Conference to the Atlantic Coast Conference would come with growing pains.

Cal has won three of its last four games since losing its first four ACC games by a combined nine points. DALLAS — SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings and his teammates have worn shirts throughout their Atlantic Coast Conference debut season declaring the Mustangs as defending champions.