No. 19 SMU opens ACC play at Florida State on Monday night
SMU travels to Florida State for an ACC matchup on September 7 at Bobby Bowden Field. The Mustangs are favored by 3.5 points, with the game airing on ESPN at 7:30 p.m. ET. SMU averaged 32.2 points per game last season, while Florida State allowed 22 per outing.
SMU enters its first ACC contest of the season as a slight road favorite, with oddsmakers setting the spread at 3.5 points. The Mustangs are coming off a campaign in which they averaged 416.9 total yards per game, while the Seminoles surrendered just 328 yards per outing defensively. Both teams showed offensive potency last year, with Florida State posting 33 points per game and SMU scoring 32.2.
The matchup marks an early conference test for both programs, as Florida State already holds a 1-0 record this season. ESPN will broadcast the primetime contest from Bobby Bowden Field, with streaming available through Fubo. The over/under is set at 53.5 total points, suggesting expectations for a moderately high-scoring affair between these ACC rivals.
This early-season ACC clash could shape the conference standings and playoff positioning for both programs. A win for SMU would validate its top-25 ranking and strengthen its case as a contender in its new conference home, while Florida State needs a victory to build momentum after a narrow start. The outcome may influence recruiting perceptions and fan engagement for both schools, as conference play intensifies the stakes for teams seeking postseason relevance.