The 1976 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University (SMU) as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1976 NCAA Division I football season. Led by first-year head coach Ron Meyer, the Mustangs compiled an overall record of 3–8 (2–6 in SWC, seventh). Hired in January, Meyer was previously the head coach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), then in Division II.