It wasn’t the prettiest Week 0 win, but Florida State started off its 2026 season at 1-0 with a 34-17 victory over New Mexico State on Saturday. Now, the Seminoles will begin their ACC slate by hosting No. 19 SMU at Doak Campbell Stadium on Monday night.
Over the last two seasons, Florida State has won just three total ACC games, which has Mike Norvell firmly on the hot seat. A Week 1 loss, even to the second-highest-ranked team in the conference, will only turn up that temperature. A win, however, would cool it considerably and set up the Seminoles to potentially make some noise in the ACC after two down years.
Week 1, early as it is, could be the fork in the road for this FSU season, especially with No. 13 Alabama looming in Week 3 after a bye in Week 2.
Those additional days off after shaking the rust off against the Aggies should negate the rest advantage that SMU has, but the Mustangs have film on the Seminoles, especially a new-look offense behind transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels and with Norvell returning to the headset as the unit’s play-caller.
FSU, conversely, has familiarity with the head coach Rhett Lashlee/quarterback Kevin Jennings combination from a 2024 drubbing in Dallas, but no film of this season’s edition.
After FSU’s Week 0 warmup, the Noles are diving into ACC play, and they do so as a home underdog.
How to watch SMU vs. FSU in Week 1
- Date: Monday, September 7 (Labor Day)
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Doak Campbell Stadium
- How to Watch (TV): ESPN
- Streaming: fubo TV
- SMU record: 0-0
- Florida State record: 1-0
Announcers for SMU vs. FSU
- Play-by-play: Dave Pasch
- Analyst: Dusty Dvoracek
- Sideline: Taylor McGregor
SMU vs. Florida State odds, spread and total
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Moneyline
- SMU -156
- Florida State +130
Spread
- SMU -3.5 (-105)
- Florida State +3.5 (-115)
Total
- 53.5 (over -105/under -115)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Florida State injury report
- Karson Hobbs, DB: OUT (knee)
- Devin Carter, WR: Doubtful (back)
- Chuck Kennon, DB: Questionable (undisclosed)
- Jordan Crutchfield, S: Questionable (undisclosed)
SMU injury report
- Abel Hoopii, OL: OUT (foot)
- Link Rhodes, RB: OUT (knee)
Weather forecast in Tallahassee
Chance of thunderstorms in the morning, which increases through the afternoon as the high climbs to 88 degrees. A low of 72 degrees at night with limited wind. Could be sloppy conditions on Bobby Bowden Field, but rain is unlikely to impact the game.
Florida State and Southern Methodist series history
- All-time meetings: 1
- FSU all-time record vs. New Mexico State: 0-1
- Last meeting: 9/28/2024 - 42-16 SMU W (Dallas)
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