“It is what it is,” as Rhett Lashlee said. The filtration has already begun. SMU couldn’t withstand Penn State inside Beaver Stadium in the first College Football Playoff round on Saturday. Now, the Mustangs are officially out of the playoff picture as the Nittany Lions advance to the quarterfinals to face No. 3 seed Boise State. The loss certainly shook things up for the Mustangs, including their HC’s mindset.

Following the 38-10 loss, a dejected Rhett Lashlee addressed the media and delivered his verdict on the game. The Next Round posted a video of the Mustangs HC on X on December 22, where he expressed his disappointment at the outcome. He said, “It’s gonna be written, should we have been in or did we belong? That’s fine,” acknowledging that there would be debate about their playoff berth. After all, SMU’s 11-win season was more than enough to silence any critics. However, the recent loss is a painful setback. “We deserved to be here. We earned the right to be here. I’m disappointed we didn’t play to the level that validates that,” Lashlee added.

SMU got into the playoffs picture because they suffered only one loss in the regular season against BYU. Many slammed this setting, saying Rhett Lashlee didn’t get a competitive schedule. They only played two Top 25 teams, but they won. They managed to reach the ACC Championship game, but they lost to Clemson and still managed to secure the No. 11 seed. 

Earlier, there was a debate between SMU and Alabama on who should be the playoff team. Many people chose the Crimson Tide, saying that the Mustangs aren’t cut out for a playoff team. And Penn State proved that Rhett Lashlee and his team still have tons to improve by outscoring them 28-0 in the first half.

The Lions took advantage of their mistakes and scored 21 points from their turnovers and seven forced combined punts or turnovers on downs. The truth hurts, but Lashlee acknowledged his fear as he said, “Maybe in the future, if we’re on the edge, we may not get the nod because of how we performed today.” But he still has praise for the Mustangs. 

What’s next for Rhett Lashlee and SMU?

So long to SMU’s playoff dream as the No. 6 seeded Penn State dragged them back to reality! It was an exceptional season with a heartbreaking ending. Still, in the end, Lashlee gave the due credit to his guys, saying “what they did was special.” Indeed. Despite the blowout loss, this is the first time in the CFP era that SMU made it to the playoffs with their program best 11-3 record. 

QB Kevin Jennings only completed 20-of-36 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. He also had three costly interceptions. But Lashlee didn’t make it hard for him, as he hyped him after the game, saying, “I believe in you. Everyone believes in you.” After all, a bad game doesn’t determine a career. But again, this is the end of their fairy tale story, as the only thing they can do now is learn from this season and come back stronger for the next. Meanwhile, James Franklin and the Nittany Lions will move on to the big quarterfinal game.

Now that Rhett Lashlee and SMU have tasted what it means to be in the spotlight, the next season could be a sequel to the unfinished business this year.