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.

There is clarity at the top of the chase for the two spots in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game. Even so, it is possible tiebreakers could be needed to determine what teams play for the championship.

SMU improved to 10-1 overall and has won eight in a row since an early-September nonconference loss at home to BYU. Its 7-0 ACC record is the best by a team jumping from a mid-maj