It’s been over a year since SMU announced its move to the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), and this Saturday marks the Mustangs’ first official game in their new conference. The excitement is palpable among fans, players, and the university, with a showdown against defending ACC champion Florida State set to unfold at Ford Stadium.
“Yeah, I’m excited,” said SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings.
“We’ve waited a while for this.”
After waiting nearly 400 days since their ACC announcement, SMU is set to take on a team that, despite their rocky start, is undeniably talented. The Seminoles may be 1-3, but SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee knows they’re not to be underestimated.
“In my time here, this is without question the most athletic and fastest team we will have played and probably the most athletic and fastest team that’s come to Ford Stadium in a long time,” Lashlee said.
The Seminoles’ rough start, including two tough losses to Georgia Tech and Memphis, has only made them a more dangerous opponent, according to SMU wide receiver Roderick Daniels Jr. “It actually makes it harder when they start off bad because now they’re a hungrier team. You start off 0-2 after just winning the ACC Championship, not being invited to the playoff—those are the hardest teams to beat.”
The Mustangs come into this game riding high after a 66-42 victory over rival TCU, earning their first home win against a power conference opponent since 2010. SMU’s players, like safety Brandon Crossley, believe that momentum can carry them through their ACC debut.
“We did what we wanted to do and beat TCU,” Crossley said.
“Going into conference play, that gives us momentum. Now it’s about stacking days and building on what we just did.”
The stakes couldn’t be higher for SMU as they enter this new chapter. After dominating the American Athletic Conference, the Mustangs are eager to prove they belong on the ACC stage. And what better way to do it than against Florida State?
“The fun talking point is going to be, ‘Oh, SMU had a big emotional win over TCU, so they’ll have a letdown,’” Lashlee said. “We can’t allow that to happen. We’re playing Florida State in our own stadium as a conference opener, so we should be ready to play.”
Despite Florida State’s early-season struggles, the Seminoles remain a formidable opponent. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, though yet to hit his stride in Tallahassee, poses a threat with his experience from Clemson and Oregon State. The Seminoles’ defense, tied for seventh nationally with 13 sacks, will test SMU’s quarterback Kevin Jennings, who earned the starting job for his mobility and ability to evade pressure.
SMU’s offense, led by running back Brashard Smith, has been explosive. Smith is coming off a career-best performance against TCU, rushing for 127 yards and three touchdowns while adding another score through the air. His versatility will be key in challenging Florida State’s defense.
For SMU, this game represents more than just a conference opener—it’s a chance to make a statement. Hosting Florida State, a team that once enjoyed a 17-game win streak last season, is no small feat. Yet, the Mustangs are favored in this matchup, showing just how far this program has come in its return to a power conference.
With SMU’s fanbase, players, and coaches buzzing, Saturday’s game at Ford Stadium promises to be a pivotal moment, not just for the season, but for the future of the program. As SMU seeks to build on their success in the ACC, one thing is certain: The wait is over, and the Mustangs are ready to show what they’re made of.
Cover Photo: Matt Iaia/Undrafted
