The 1956 SMU Mustangs football team represented Southern Methodist University (SMU) as a member of the Southwest Conference (SWC) during the 1956 college football season. Led by Woody Woodard in his fourth and final season as head coach, the Mustangs compiled an overall record of 4âÂÂ6 with a mark of 2âÂÂ4 in conference play, placing fifth in the SWC. SMU played home games at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Bill Livingstone and Smitty Keller were the team captains.