Few settings are as iconic and intimidating as Penn State’s Beaver Stadium under the glow of a White Out. For the SMU Mustangs, their debut in the expanded College Football Playoff couldn’t be more daunting. But for the Coach of The Year and Ponies leader Rhett Lashlee, this is exactly where his team belongs, and he’s not letting the enormity of the moment intimidate his squad.

The Crain & Company hosts rubbed the lamp for the genie Rhett Lashlee to pop out with the smoke. He struck a confident tone while previewing the Mustangs’ first-round clash with the Nittany Lions. Despite coming off a marvelous ACC Championship loss, which is the only right way to describe that 31-point comeback try. The once-Arkansas QB and a 3-Star recruit emphasized the importance of SMU’s historic playoff appearance. “It’s the first-ever 12-team playoff, and we’re one of them,” Lashlee said. “That’s pretty special.” The No. 11 Mustangs might be underdogs, but they’ve shown all year that they can run with anyone. However, Lashlee knows they’ll need to channel their best effort to topple Penn State in their own house.

The Mustangs are no strangers to adversity, but the 29-11 HC with SMU is keenly aware that Happy Valley presents a unique challenge. “It’s going to take our best effort of the year to come out of there with a win,” he admitted. Penn State boasts a lethal combination of talent and atmosphere, with 106,000 fans expected to roar from kickoff. And SMU coach Rhett Lashlee isn’t shying away from that challenge, though. “If you’re a competitor, man, that’s what you love,” he said. “You’ve got to love it.” His confidence is palpable, but he also knows that SMU can’t afford to repeat past mistakes—especially the slow start that haunted them in their ACC Championship loss to Dabo Swinney and Clemson.

That sluggish first quarter saw the Mustangs fall into a 21-7 hole, a deficit they couldn’t claw back from, but they tried. Hell yeah! “We’ve got to hold our composure, especially early in the game,” Lashlee noted. “We played one of our worst quarters of the year in the first quarter last week. That’s uncharacteristic of us, but we can’t afford to do that on the road in Happy Valley.” Against Penn State, a slow start could spell doom, especially with the crowd amplifying every moment of Mustang misfortune.

Penn State, the No. 6 seed, enters the game as a heavy favorite, and as much the ponies man respects rival coach James Frankin, he also sees opportunity in the underdog role. “We’ve done a good job all year of battling, but this is a different environment,” he acknowledged. Lashlee’s game plan centers on withstanding Penn State’s initial surge of energy and emotion—a necessity in one of the league’s most electric environments. He knows that survival in the first quarter is key to giving SMU a shot at pulling off the upset.

Now they ride the horses carrying the hopes of SMU fans and a chip on their shoulder after edging Alabama for the final playoff spot. Who’s finally thankful to the committee for keeping it real?

Ball over brand, and coach Rhett Lashlee is grateful for it

We are sure that Coach Lash would have lashed out if that wouldn’t have been the case, as it was we have seen such horror movies before. But lighting strikes! And now he had to tip his cap to the CFP generals after the Mustangs edged Alabama for the final spot (which some say is karma) in the 12-team playoff. It wasn’t an easy decision, especially with Alabama bringing their trademark “brand power” to the table. Let’s not forget Nick Saban’s larger-than-life legacy—a factor that has often swayed opinions in the past. The Tide’s resume included a 9-3 record, a thrilling Iron Bowl win over Auburn, and you all know the rest of the stats.

Lashlee didn’t shy away from addressing the elephant in the room during his conversation with On3. “Look, we all know the weight brands like Alabama and Clemson carry. Nick Saban has built something special, and Dabo Swinney has done incredible things at Clemson,” Lashlee said. “But that doesn’t mean the big names should automatically get the nod. Credit to the committee for making the right call—one that most of the country felt was fair.”

For Lashlee, this decision wasn’t just about stats or wins; it was a victory for the underdogs. “The blue bloods shouldn’t get a free pass,” he emphasized. This time, merit trumped history, and SMU gets to keep its playoff dreams alive.