Looking for a second straight win, Florida State football heads to Dallas for a showdown with SMU on Saturday.
The Seminoles (1-3) are coming off a 14-9 win over Cal. It was the first victory of the season after a dreadful 0-3 start to the year. Facing an SMU (3-1) team coming off a 66-42 win over TCU, Saturday’s game vs. the Mustangs could be a unique challenge for FSU.
This will be SMU’s first ACC game and the second week in a row that FSU has played a new conference foe. The Mustangs high-powered offense will square off with a Seminoles defense that is on the rise after two strong games vs. Memphis and Cal.
Averaging 15 points per game and 276.5 yards of total offense, the Seminoles’ offense will hope Saturday is the breakout game for the struggling unit.
FSU vs. SMU will kick off at 8 p.m. on Saturday from Gerald J. Ford Field in Dallas, Texas.
Liam Rooney’s score prediction: SMU 27, FSU 17
The Seminoles’ offensive struggles cost FSU a victory. While the defense will continue its upward trend, it won’t be enough as the Mustangs high-powered offense finds the endzone three times. Consistency will again be an issue for the offense, who will come up with big moments but not a complete game, similar to Cal.
DJ Uiagalelei will throw for a touchdown and the Seminoles score one on the ground with Kam Davis getting his first score. The defense will keep up with the Mustangs for the first half, but a second-half breakthrough from SMU’s Kevin Jennings will give SMU a maiden ACC victory.
While slight improvements will be evident the Seminoles fall to 1-4.
Peter Holland Jr’s score prediction: FSU 19 SMU 16
I expect this to be another ugly game that could come down to a defensive stop by the Seminoles. The offense will do just enough to escape with another ACC win.
The defense is good enough to put pressure on SMU QB Kyle Jennings, who can extend plays with his legs. The secondary has to take advantage by getting to the quarterback and winning the turnover battle.
The offense might still look lackluster, but one thing they should do is take care of the football. FSU has to take advantage of the opportunities whenever the offense is inside the red zone.
DJ Uiagalelei could throw a touchdown pass to Malik Benson, who I expect to have a big game after being a nonfactor against Cal.
If the offense can play cleanly for all four quarters, there is no reason for FSU to take the victory and go 2-3.
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.
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU football vs. SMU predictions: Can the Seminoles win on the road
