Florida State’s Labor Day date with SMU arrives with plenty on the line for Mike Norvell, who is looking for the kind of upset win that would buy him some breathing room before the Seminoles head into their off week.
FSU opened the season with a 34-17 victory last week, but it was not exactly a stress-free night. New Mexico State, a team that went 4-8 and 3-9 over the past two seasons, hung around and got within a touchdown before Ousmane Kromah, Samuel Singleton Jr. and the run game helped stretch the margin back out.
Even with that win in the books, Florida State still has a clear area to clean up: the pass rush. That part of the defense will be tested by SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings, who threw for a career-high 3,641 yards last season.
SMU comes in ranked No. 20 in the preseason Coaches Poll after making the College Football Playoff in its first year in the ACC. The Mustangs, though, missed a return trip to the ACC championship game after a loss to California last week. Their offense also features a few familiar names from elsewhere, with running back Kendrick Raphael coming over from Cal, wide receiver Yannick Smith arriving from East Carolina and tight end Randy Pittman Jr. joining from FSU.
The game will air nationally on ESPN. Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek will handle the call from the booth at Doak Campbell Stadium, with Taylor McGregor reporting from the sidelines. ACC Network will also carry a Command Center alternate broadcast, and viewers can stream the matchup through the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Odds are courtesy of BetMGM as of Saturday, Sept. 5.
In Other News...
Former Florida State Transfers Are Off To Some Eye-Opening Starts
Opening weekend gave Florida State fans an early look at just how much talent has flowed out through the transfer portal, and plenty of those former Seminoles wasted little time making an impression elsewhere. The review of the first slate of games showed former FSU quarterbacks, defensive backs and other transfers logging meaningful snaps, with Pro Football Focus data helping paint the picture of who settled in quickly and who immediately became part of the action for their new teams.
Quarterback play drew some of the most attention, but it was not just the signal-callers who stood out. Players such as Earl Little Jr. and Joseph also showed up in the defensive numbers, while the report tracked everything from completions and rushing production to tackles and receptions allowed. For Florida State, it is another reminder that the transfer market can reshape rosters in a hurry, and that the Seminoles will keep seeing familiar names pop up on Saturdays as those new situations develop. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Just Reignited A Recruiting Battle With Florida
Florida State is using a big home game as a recruiting stage, bringing in 2027 athlete Kamarion Johnson for its matchup against SMU as it continues to press for one of the more intriguing names in the next cycle. Johnson, a versatile standout from Clinch County High School in Georgia, has shown he can help in plenty of ways, turning heads on offense, defense and special teams while already carrying a commitment to Florida.
The Seminoles are not backing away from that part of the rivalry, either. Even with Johnson pledged elsewhere, Florida State is still working to stay in the picture and see whether it can chip away at Floridas hold on him, which makes this visit one worth watching as the recruiting battle develops. [Read more 🡒]
Ann Bowdens Birthday Brings Back A Florida State Legacy Fans Cherish
Ann Bowden marked her 94th birthday on Sept. 7, a reminder of how deeply the Bowden family remains woven into Florida State history. As the longtime wife of legendary coach Bobby Bowden, she was part of the fabric of an era that still resonates with Seminole fans, and her move from Tallahassee to Alabama in 2025 brought a quiet shift for a family whose name has long carried special meaning in the programs story.
Even after leaving Tallahassee to be closer to family, Ann remains in good health, and her birthday offered another moment for fans to reflect on that legacy. The Bowden family home, sold at auction in March 2026, is now back on the market, with potential negotiations involving Seminole Boosters, Inc., keeping one more piece of that history very much in play. [Read more 🡒]