In the 1980s SMU football looked to be almost inevitable. With a No. 2 ranking and a constant stream of top recruits, like Eric Dickerson and Craig James, they looked to be headed to a national title of their own.

But they also had something else, a well-documented payroll for their players.

This resulted in the NCAA’s so-called “death penalty” ruling for the program and sent SMU down a 40-year path of obscurity. But now, with the NIL era in full swing and armed with a stable of billionaire boosters, SMU football is jumping headfirst into a new conference with thoughts of the college football playoff on their mind.

Dave Wilson joins us from Texas to break down the Mustang’s path from NCAA pariah to modern-day redemption.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices