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The SMU football program is mostly known for being given the NCAA death penalty after repeated violations of payments to players from boosters of the program in the 1980s.
It resulted in the cancellation of the 1987 and 1988 seasons. Before those sanctions were levied, the Mustangs had a stronger reputation on the national scene.
On Saturday at Penn State (noon, TNT) in the first round of the College Football Playoff, SMU coach Rhett Lashlee knows the Mustangs could be playing their biggest game since before the death penalty.
But Lashlee doesn't want all the credit for SMU's resurgence.
He acknowledges that the head coaches before him in June Jones, Chad Morris and Sonny Dykes have had a hand in creating the program into the playoff team it is today.
Lashlee, who is in his third year as head coach, served as offensive coordinator at SMU under Dykes for two seasons.
"I think it's all added up. It's like a pickle-jar effect," Lashlee said. "Everyone is just trying to get the lid off, and they never got it off. We got here, and we were able to pop the lid off because of a lot of work done by so many before."
Lashlee knows his team will have its hands full against Penn State.
One of the key factors of Saturday's game is the weather. The Mustangs played in 45-degree weather in the ACC championship against Clemson, but most of their season has been played in much warmer temperatures. It's in the 60s in Dallas this week, but it likely won't break 30 degrees on Saturday in State College.
Lashlee doesn't see the weather as a problem.
"(Penn State) is playing in the same weather we are," he said. "They have to play in it just like we do. They've never played a game on Dec. 21 at home, either. I don't think the weather is a big deal.
"The (Kansas City) Chiefs had that game last year where it was (below zero). Rashee Rice, who played (at SMU), didn't like cold weather. He went out and played really well. The weather is only going to be an issue if we allow it to be an issue. It's our 11 vs. their 11, and that's going to decide the game."
And there was plenty of praise from the SMU side for Penn State, including for defensive end Abdul Carter. Lashlee said Carter is "the best defensive player we've played" in his time at SMU.
"He's a problem," Lashlee said. "He's not the only problem on their defense. The other couple ends are really special. Their team speed stands out on defense. There's a reason (Carter) is a top-5 or top-10 pick in the upcoming draft. He's an all-around player."
There was also an ample amount of praise for the Lions' offense.
Lashlee hopes to slow down Tyler Warren, rather than stopping him. He also noted the staff at SMU recruited PSU running back Kaytron Allen out of high school, and Allen complements Nicholas Singleton very well.
"If you run for 300 yards on Oregon, you're pretty good," Lashlee said. "They end up running the same couple run plays over and over. It's just that they address it in a bunch of different ways. To the defense, they're presenting different pictures. It makes it even tougher."
Lashlee acknowledged the challenges the transfer portal is presenting, calling it "unacceptable."
"You see the story of (PSU backup QB Beau Pribula) saying, 'I don't have a choice.' That's wrong," he said. "That's not OK. He shouldn't have to make that decision."
But the timing of the transfer portal window, which closes on Dec. 28, is a problem for SMU, too. Mustang backup quarterback Preston Stone is also in the portal but has chosen to stay with the team through the CFP.
Lashlee said SMU has practiced playing in a hostile environment like Beaver Stadium that the ACC rarely has, outside of Clemson.
The Mustangs practiced indoors for half of practice early this week and cranked up crowd noise, but that's only a small piece of what they can replicate.
"You do the best you can," he said. "We have not been in this environment. There's really nothing you can do to prepare for it. You just have to get there and adjust to it, and go compete."
The challenge is high for the Mustangs, but it certainly beats the alternatives at this point of the season.
"Your bodies are pretty beat up," Lashlee said. "Your teams and staff are pretty much on empty right now. But if you're one of the 12 teams in the playoffs, you get a boost of adrenaline that will carry."