The Seminoles have an early opportunity to prove themselves against a tough ranked opponent in No. 19 SMU as slight underdogs at home. A less than stellar performance out of Florida State in Week 0 broke much of the preseason confidence, but SMU coach Rhett Lashlee is convincing fans otherwise.
Florida State will be hosting the SMU Mustangs in a notable Week 1 clash between ACC opponents after losing big in 2024. Coach Mike Norvell will have the chance to bring in an important win in front of the home fans, but recent history currently suggests that the Seminoles will struggle against the Mustangs. Florida State is currently considered to be a three-point underdog at home, but Lashlee was quick to suggest that the real underdog was SMU.
Every seasoned college football fan has seen this act before ahead of big games, and Lashlee is certainly not fooling anyone this time. Florida State was unable to confidently put away New Mexico State in Tallahassee despite relatively favorable conditions, and now Lashlee expects fans to buy this new gimmick surrounding what the true gap between the teams should be on paper.
SMU HC Rhett Lashlee on the matchup against FSU:
— Dean Ralsky (@DeanRalsky) September 3, 2026
"I have no idea how we aren't a 7- to 10-point underdog."
SMU currently sits as a 3-point favorite against Florida State. pic.twitter.com/iwLzWHqV18
Rhett Lashlee's unnecessary mind games will not change the outcome of Florida State vs. SMU
Typically ahead of a big game the coach is supposed to be the presence that instills confidence in his team. Some coaches will opt to go different routes in order to motivate the team, and the alternative methods for generating confidence often require praise of an opponent. Some coaches may praise current projected powerhouses like Notre Dame, but the decision from Lashlee to suggest Florida State is the real team to worry about on Monday night is not going to trick anyone.
The Mustangs had one of the top offenses in the ACC during the 2025 season under none other than Lashlee. SMU also has one of the more experienced offenses in the country with returning players like quarterback Kevin Jennings. Lashlee compiled a big transfer portal haul on defense as well, and suggesting that SMU is the real underdog is comical at best.
Florida State had a difficult time against New Mexico State in Week 0 against a defense that likely will not receive much praise at the end of the year. Norvell was given a week to turn all the things wrong in Week 0 into positives against SMU, and the chances of pulling off the upset win at home are not high considering the amount of things that did go wrong. Norvell has yet to fully address the struggles along the offensive line, and time has run out to make meaningful changes ahead of the game.
Lashlee is an accomplished coach with a deep understanding of how to get the most out of a unit, and the comments of Lashlee are not surprising given the tactics he uses. Lashlee wanted to fire up his team by convincing them that the fans liked Florida State in Week 1, but even his own players should be able to see through his attempt at creating extra motivation against a program on the verge of firing the coach.
Add us as a preferred source on Google