FSU football: Top 5 toughest games on 2024 schedule
By Kelvin Hunt
SMU
SMU went 11-3 last season while competing in the AAC conference before moving to the ACC. However, all three losses came against opponents in the five major conferences (at the time). SMU has a good head coach with a great offensive mind in Rhett Lashlee. They return their starting quarterback and some solid options at running back, wide receiver, and tight end. However, their defense ranked No. 30 according to FEI advanced metrics(which accounts for strength of schedule), and they return some veteran players, plus some from the transfer portal.
It'll be the first true road test for the Noles, and the game is already sold out(they can thank FSU for that). FSU should have established its identity as a team offensively by then, and this game will likely come down to the play in the trenches. Rhett Lashlee spoke with G5 programs that made the jump to the big leagues, and they told him the trenches were the biggest difference, so he attacked the transfer portal to attempt to improve those weaknesses. FSU should win this one, but SMU will have this game circled for a chance to prove they belong with the big dogs.