The 1952 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University (SMU) as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1952 college football season. Led by Rusty Russell in his third and final season as head coach, the Mustangs compiled an overall record of 4âÂÂ5âÂÂ1 with a mark of 3âÂÂ2âÂÂ1 in conference play, placing third in the SWC. SMU played home games at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Bill Forester was the team captain.