Florida State football will face another Atlantic Coast Conference newcomer for the second week in a row.
This time, it’s on the road.
FSU traveled to Dallas for its first ACC road against at SMU (3-1) Saturday. Like Cal last week, it is its first-ever meeting between the two and will be the Mustangs’ conference opener.
SMU coach Rhett Lashlee is familiar with the Seminoles as a former offensive coordinator for the Miami Hurricanes. He also respects Mike Norvell for his achievements at FSU.
During his weekly press conference, Lashlee didn’t waste any time addressing FSU’s defense, believing it would be the Mustang’s toughest challenge yet.
“I feel pretty confident saying in my time here that this is without question the most athletic and fastest team we have played, and it’s probably the most athletic and fastest team that’s come to Ford Stadium,” Lashlee said.
SMU is coming off an impressive 66-42 victory over its instate rival TCU. The Mustangs average 42.3 points a game, ranking them in the top five in the ACC.
“Sometimes the scariest teams are the ones that have so much talent and just haven’t clicked yet,” Lashlee said. “I mean, nobody missed on the preseason project projections in terms of talent.”
What Rhett Lashlee said about FSU QB DJ Uiagalelei
FSU’s offense is one of the worst in the country. Even after a 14-9 victory, the Seminoles only produced 284 yards of offense, slightly above its season average of 276.5 yards on offense, ranking them 126th nationally.
FSU quarterback DJ Uiagalelei has a 2/3 touchdown-interception ratio and has completed 57.1 percent of his passing for 843 yards. Lashee was asked about FSU’s offense and Norvell continuing to run with Uiagalelei as his quarterback.
“They’ve been struggling, but I mean, last year DJ was excellent at Oregon State, so it’s in there, and it’s only a matter of time for it all clicks,” Lashlee said.
“They got a win last week. They got some momentum, so these are the scary, dangerous ones to look at because you know perceptional people go, ‘oh they’re struggling.’ There’s plenty of talent over there.”
SMU’s defense has allowed an average of 317.8 yards. The Mustangs are also in the top three in the ACC in turnovers, including six interceptions and five forced fumbles, and No. 1 in fumble recovery.
How many FSU players are from Texas
There are only four players from Texas on the FSU’s roster. Add Norvell, who grew up in Irving, a metroplex in Dallas, and that makes five.
Norvell looks forward to heading back to his hometown. However, he is focused on the task at hand and lets his players from Texas enjoy the moment.
“Obviously I’m from the Metroplex, and I’ve been playing enough games going back there, previous places,” Norvell said.
“It’s nothing new. We’ve got a couple guys from the Dallas area that I know they’re excited about getting a chance to go play in front of their family and friends. Look forward to seeing them play well.”
He is familiar with SMU because of his time in Memphis when the Mustangs were still in the AAC. Norvell had not lost to the Mustangs when he was the head coach for the Tigers. He still knows what they are capable of.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for the coaching staff, the team,” Norvell said. “It’s a lot of new faces from when I coached against them at previous places, but it’s a good football team.”
Linebacker Justin “Juice” Cryer, from Katy, Texas, said his family will travel 241 miles south to see the sophomore and treat it like its homecoming.
“I’m definitely excited,” Cryer said.
“Obviously for personal reasons, it’s definitely going to be one of those homecoming games for me. At the same time, it’s a team sport. I can’t let the outside factors kind of factor into what we do here.”
Other players are closer to the Dallas area. Offensive lineman Jaylen Early helds from Duncanville, 14 miles out of Dallas. Right tackle Jeremiah Byers is from Austin, and tight end Jarrale Powers is from Fort Worth.
How can I watch FSU football vs. SMU
FSU football schedule 2024: TV channels, dates and start times
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Saturday, Aug. 24: vs. Georgia Tech* (Aer Lingus College Football Classic) Lost 24-21
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Monday, Sept. 2: vs. Boston College* | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 28-13
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Saturday, Sept. 7: Bye
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Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Memphis | Noon | ESPN (Fubo) Lost 20-12
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Saturday, Sept. 21: vs. Cal* | 7 p.m.| ESPN2 (Fubo) Won 14-9
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Saturday, Sept. 28: at SMU* | 8 p.m. EST | ACC Network
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Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. No. 14 Clemson*
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Saturday, Oct. 12: Bye
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Saturday, Oct. 26: at No. 19 Miami*
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Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. North Carolina*
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Saturday, Nov. 9: at No. 7 Notre Dame | 7:30 p.m. | NBC (Fubo, Peacock)
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Saturday, Nov. 23: vs. Charleston Southern
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Saturday, Nov. 30: vs. Florida
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Saturday, Dec. 6: ACC championship game (Charlotte, N.C)
All times Eastern
BOLD = ACC
* = Neutral Site
Peter Holland Jr. covers Florida State athletics for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at PHolland@Gannett.com or on X @_Da_pistol.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: What SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said about FSU football’s defense
