The Florida State Seminoles cannot afford a repeat performance of the 2024 matchup with SMU, a game that saw SMU score 28 points in the second half for a 42-16 victory. The Seminoles committed 10 penalties and turned the ball over three times in that loss.
The Florida State Seminoles are 1-0 to start the season for the second consecutive season.
If they want to be 2-0, they must defeat the offensively talented and No. 19 SMU Mustangs. To do that, history must not repeat itself. Will the 2024 version of Florida State please stand down?
In late September of that 2024 season, the Seminoles traveled to Dallas to take on the Mustangs, where they proceeded to chop themselves in the foot with their own tomahawk. They committed 10 penalties for 79 yards and turned the ball over three times, courtesy of quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and his three interceptions.
Florida State hung in there in the first half, with the score being just 14-9 at halftime. However, SMU scored 28 points in the second half.
Despite three sacks and six tackles for loss, the Seminoles defense still could not stop SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings. Jennings completed 16-of-23 passes for 254 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. In addition, he completed long pass plays of 39, 42, 33, and 19 yards in a 42-16 victory by the Mustangs. Two of his three scoring passes came in the second half. Florida State cannot afford a repeat of that performance.
To earn what would be a signature win over a ranked opponent and the No. 2 team in the ACC, the Seminoles defense must be a disruptive force in the SMU passing attack. Also, this is SMU’s first game of the season, and it is a conference game on the road. So, this is a pressure situation for the Mustangs.
The defensive line must get pressure on Jennings to affect his accuracy and timing of his passes. Florida State’s defensive secondary must be aggressive in their coverage assignments and communicate better than they did against the New Mexico State Aggies. The Seminoles cannot afford to give up any kind of cushion to the SMU receivers. No soft coverage here. Passes defended are completions denied. That is the key to stopping the vaunted Mustangs offense.
Key players to watch in this game on defense for the Seminoles include the Desir twins, Mandrell and Darryl, on the defensive line. The duo had zero sacks and zero tackles for loss against New Mexico State. Making their presence felt against SMU is requested, no demanded.
Linebacker Chris Jones is as advertised. A transfer from Southern Miss, Jones was second on the team in tackles against the Aggies with six stops. Cornerback Ja’bril Rawls had five tackles and one pass breakup against New Mexico State. However, he did get burned on a fake out route that resulted in a New Mexico State touchdown. Rawls was named to the Bednarik Award watch list to start the season.
As a +3-point underdog on their home field, coach Mike Norvell and defensive coordinator Tony White should have the Florida State defense motivated to play inspired football. They must corral the Mustangs and get into the facemask (and the psyche) of their offense at every opportunity, lest they be trampled in a stampede of defeat.
