Florida State vs. SMU live updates: Seminoles welcome in No. 19 Mustangs for Labor Day battle

The Mustangs have only been in the ACC for two seasons, but they've quickly asserted themselves as a force within the conference. Over the last two seasons, SMU has gone 14-2 in ACC play, and the team is once again a favorite to reach Charlotte for the conference championship game.

Florida State, on the other hand, has been trending in the wrong direction against ACC opponents. Over the last two years, the Seminoles have put together an abysmal 3-13 record in conference play, and the ACC hasn't exactly been a gauntlet in that span. If the Noles are going to get back on track, it has to start with being more competitive in conference games.

Florida State made real progress in 2025, and a return to form is on the table, even despite the poor showing in Week 0. Regardless, SMU will prove to be a brutal matchup for getting back on track. Kevin Jennings will cause trouble for a Seminoles secondary that struggled to get off the field against NMSU, and the Mustangs will better contain Kromah. SMU wins and stays in the ACC title race. Pick: SMU -3

When Florida State plucked Ashton Daniels out of the transfer portal in the offseason, that move didn't exactly garner rave reviews from the college football world. To this point in his career, Daniels has been a journeyman quarterback who makes as many mistakes as splash plays. Will that change at Florida State, the third stop of his college career?

Daniels' debut last weekend left something to be desired. He completed 63.0 percent of his throws for 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 17-point win over New Mexico State. Daniels did rush for 30 yards and a score, and if he can harness that dual-threat ability against SMU, Florida State will have a shot to pull off the mild upset.

With a Heisman Trophy dark horse on the other sideline, the pressure will be on Daniels to raise his game. Can he do that and deliver a big win for a program that desperately needs one?

Florida State earned a late flip in 2025 from blue-chip running back Ousmane Kromah, who picked the 'Noles over Georgia. In his first real start against New Mexico State, Kromah showed major explosiveness in the run game

The sophomore rushed for 115 yards and a touchdown on only 14 carries in the 34-17 win over NMSU. The Seminoles didn't use Texas transfer Quintrevion Wisner much in the opener, but the combination -- plus the running ability of quarterback Ashton Daniels -- could prove highly valuable.

SMU launched its first Heisman campaign in decades centered around quarterback Kevin Jennings. The fifth-year senior threw for more than 3,600 yards last season and is set to rewrite SMU's record books with a healthy season.

Jennings remains around 80-to-1 odds to win the award, but may be less of a long shot than people think. If he can push towards the 4,000-yard, 40-touchdown mark and win an ACC title, he'll have a chance. A strong statement against Florida State on Monday night will help.

Kevin Jennings for Heisman? Why a hometown long shot could take SMU to the top of the sport

Shehan Jeyarajah