SMU returned to the
Cotton Bowl on a permanent basis for the first time since 1978. The Cotton Bowl was SMU's home stadium from 1932 through 1978, during which SMU rose to national prominence. SMU opened the season with an upset over eventual
Southeastern Conference (SEC) Western Division champion
Arkansas, 17–14. This was SMU's final season in the SWC, their home since 1918. SMU, along with
TCU and
Rice, joined the
Western Athletic Conference (WAC) in 1996.