Florida State is 1-0.
I’m just not sure Seminoles fans should feel particularly good about it.
FSU opened the season with a 34-17 win over New Mexico State, but the final score makes the game look considerably more comfortable than it actually was.
The Seminoles led just 17-10 midway through the third quarter against a New Mexico State team they were expected to handle easily. Florida State didn’t truly put the game away until the fourth quarter.
That’s concerning with No. 19 SMU coming to Tallahassee.
New quarterback Ashton Daniels had an uneven Florida State debut, completing 17 of 27 passes for 202 yards with one touchdown and an interception. The offensive line also struggled in pass protection, while New Mexico State converted 10 of 17 third downs against the Seminoles’ defense.
Those are problems you can survive against New Mexico State.
They could get you beat against SMU.
The Mustangs return one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the ACC in Kevin Jennings, who threw for 3,641 yards and 26 touchdowns last season. He’s entering his third season as SMU’s starter and has already taken the program to an ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff appearance.
SMU does have questions.
The Mustangs have to replace their top two rushers and four of their top five receivers from last season, and Jennings missed time during camp with a finger injury.
Plus, opening the season on the road at Doak Campbell Stadium on Labor Day night isn’t exactly an easy assignment.
But after watching Florida State struggle to create separation against New Mexico State, I’m not ready to trust the Seminoles against one of the better teams in the ACC.
FSU had its tune-up game.
It just didn’t look very tuned up.
Prediction: SMU 30, Florida State 23
