The 1948 SMU Mustangs football team represented the Southern Methodist University (SMU) as a member of the during Southwest Conference during the 1948 college football season. Led by 11th-year head coach Matty Bell, the Mustangs compiled an overall record of 9–1–1 with a mark of 5–0–1 in conference play, winning the SWC title. SMU was invited to the Cotton Bowl Classic, where they defeated Oregon. Junior Doak Walker was awarded the Heisman Trophy. Walker established several other SWC records that still stand.