Florida State might have technically grabbed a 34-17 victory over New Mexico State last week, but if you look closely, that win tells a much darker story about their early season form. This was a team that came into the game as a massive 31.5-point favorite against an Aggies squad ranked 133rd overall, and they struggled. Seriously struggled.
Florida State Barely Got It Done Against NMSU
Let’s be real, beating New Mexico State by only 17 points when you’re favored by over 30? That’s not a win, that’s a warning shot. NMSU’s quarterback, Trey Hedden, picked them apart for 272 passing yards and two touchdowns. Think about that for a second. Florida State was only up by a measly 10 points midway through the fourth quarter. Yeah, they “bore down” and “scored late” to pull away for the win, but the fact they needed to do that against a team ranked 133rd? That’s not a good sign for what’s coming next. The Seminoles looked vulnerable, and frankly, they got lucky.
Kevin Jennings and No. 19 SMU Are No Joke
Now, enter No. 19 SMU, who roll into Tallahassee this Monday, September 7th, and they are bringing a real challenge. They’ve got quarterback Kevin Jennings entering his third season as the starter, and this guy is legit. He’s completed 65.0 percent of his passes for 7,709 yards, averaging 8.0 yards per attempt. He’s thrown 55 touchdowns against 26 interceptions, and he’s a dual threat with 559 rushing yards and 10 more scores on the ground. SMU has gone 20-7 with Jennings at the helm. This isn’t some fresh-faced kid; this is a proven leader. And get this: he’s playing behind a veteran offensive line with three starters back, including center Joshua Bates, tackle P.J. Williams, and guard Addison Nichols. Sure, they’re replacing some rushing and receiving production, but that experienced QB and O-line combo? That’s a foundation for another huge season for the Mustangs. The experts are calling for Jennings to lead SMU to a road win by at least one touchdown. After seeing FSU’s performance, how can you argue with that?
Week 1 Kicks Off With Top 25 Action
While the SMU-Florida State game on Monday promises some serious fireworks, the entire college football season really gets going in earnest this week. We already saw Bill Belichick’s UNC squad take down TCU 15-10, and No. 14 USC’s Jayden Maiava throwing for 286 yards and two scores in a 42-26 win over San Jose State. Now, the rest of the AP preseason Top 25 are hitting the field. From No. 1 Ohio State to No. 3 Georgia to No. 2 Oregon, every major player is finally showing what they’ve got. It’s an absolute whirlwind of matchups over the next few days, with huge spreads everywhere you look.
So, get ready for a packed slate of games, especially that Monday night showdown. SMU rolls into Florida State as a 3.5-point favorite on September 7th, and the stakes are massive. Can Jennings and the Mustangs expose FSU’s early cracks and grab a huge road win? Or will Florida State tighten up and prove that their Week 0 scare was just an anomaly? Either way, you do not want to miss this one.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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