Rhett Lashlee leads the ranked Mustangs into a high-stakes Tallahassee showdown, leaning on veteran quarterback Kevin Jennings to navigate mounting injuries and secure a pivotal conference road victory.
The wait is finally over for SMU.
And the Mustangs aren't exactly easing their way into the 2026 season.
No. 19 SMU will make its season debut Monday night against Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium, opening the year with an ACC road matchup under the lights in Tallahassee.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
For Rhett Lashlee's group, the expectations entering Year 3 in the ACC are already significant. SMU has gone 14-2 in conference play since joining the ACC in 2024 — the most conference wins by an ACC program over that span — and enters a second consecutive season ranked inside the top 20 of the preseason polls.
That hadn't happened at SMU since 1984 and 1985.
Kevin Jennings will once again be at the center of everything.
The Mustangs quarterback enters the season with a 19-7 record as a starter and 7,709 career passing yards. Jennings also dealt with a jammed finger on his throwing hand during training camp that limited him for a portion of August, although he is not listed on SMU's availability report entering the opener.
Florida State already has some game film to work with.
The Seminoles opened their season with a 34-17 victory over New Mexico State on Aug. 29. Transfer quarterback Ashton Daniels threw for 202 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while Ousmane Kromah led Florida State's rushing attack with 115 yards and a touchdown.
SMU will also enter Monday night's matchup short-handed.
Linebackers Caden Marshall and Kenneth Goodwin III, cornerback Deuce Gilbert, running backs EJ Kelly, Christian Rhodes and Link Rhodes, offensive lineman Abel Hoopii and safeties Ahmaad Moses and Jaden Milliner-Jones are listed as out.
Wide receiver Daylon Singleton is questionable.
Florida State has availability concerns of its own. Wide receiver Devin Carter, defensive backs Karson Hobbs, Chuck Kennon and Jordan Crutchfield and linebacker Blake Nichelson are out.
Tight end Gavin Markey, wide receiver Tae'Shaun Gelsey, defensive back K.J. Kirkland and defensive lineman Darryll Desir are doubtful.
The availability report will receive another update at 4:30 p.m. CT.
Monday will be only the second meeting between SMU and Florida State — and the first in Tallahassee.
The Mustangs handled the Seminoles 42-16 at Ford Stadium in 2024, SMU's ACC debut after joining the conference. Jennings completed 16 of 23 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns in that victory as the Mustangs announced themselves as an immediate factor in their new league.
Two years later … SMU heads into the rematch from a much different position.
The Mustangs aren't trying to prove they belong in the ACC anymore. They're opening another season ranked, carrying legitimate conference expectations and bringing an established quarterback into one of college football's more recognizable road environments.
Their 2026 season starts Monday night.
And unlike most season openers, this one already counts in the ACC standings.
