Florida State’s Labor Day matchup with SMU already feels bigger than a typical early-season game.
After an uneven Week 0 win over New Mexico State, the Seminoles are trying to reset fast, and coordinators Tim Harris and Tony White made that clear during media availability. Harris said the main lesson was simple: “we did get an opportunity to see our guys play.”
“We had a chance to feel some highs and some lows in the game the other night,” he said, “and that’s gonna help us in being able to understand the areas that we gotta continue to grow and get better. And that’s the number one focus for us moving to this next game.”
That next game comes against No. 19 SMU, and there’s no way around the stakes.
With No. 13 Alabama waiting in Week 2, Florida State needs to come out of the gate with real momentum if it wants any path to the 8-win range by season’s end.
Around the program, SMU is being viewed as one of the two most important games on the schedule, alongside Week 5 against Virginia and Week 9 against Clemson.
The pressure is obvious. An ugly opener did little to settle things down for Mike Norvell, and insiders believe the SMU game is a major chance to win back some of the goodwill that has faded with a fanbase that no longer seems convinced. The boos arrived after an early three and out, a sign that the crowd is already on edge and waiting for Florida State to show it can string together consistent football.
On the field, the Seminoles know the front seven has to be sharper. A 5% stuff rate and a havoc rate under ten percent against New Mexico State won’t cut it against SMU. Florida State needs more disruption, more force at the line, and more consistency in the middle of the defense.
There were some bright spots, though, and Sam Singleton Jr. was the biggest one. He finished with 164 all-purpose yards, the kind of versatile outing that brought back memories of former FSU back Jashaun Corbin, who was a threat as a runner, receiver, and returner.
Singleton Jr. earned the start after putting together a strong camp and beating out plenty of offseason buzz surrounding Ousmane Kromah. He broke the rock for Florida State after the win, and the production backed it up: a career-high four catches, 54 receiving yards, a touchdown, 42 rushing yards, another score, and a 46-yard kickoff return.
Only three ACC teams played, but Singleton still picked up ACC Offensive Receiver of the Week.
Elsewhere on the roster, Kevin Wynn was on a snap count as he works back toward full strength. Linebacker Mikai Gbayor also stood out as someone who should be on the field more often. His game, along with Chris Jones’, has a suddenness that Florida State hasn’t consistently seen from the other linebackers, and the group as a whole still needs to improve its depth in zone coverage as the season moves along.
Practice has now shifted to the Tucker Center.
And in the NFL, there was good news for a few former Seminoles. Tatum Bethune played so well in the 49ers’ preseason finale that he made the roster, an unusual outcome for a team carrying seven linebackers. Bethune had been too effective last season in relief of Fred Warner’s injury and too strong this preseason to be cut.
Kevin Knowles was a late cut from the Chiefs and is expected to land on their practice squad, while Jacob Rizy and Cam Riley signed with the Patriots and Dolphins practice squads, respectively.
In Other News...
Florida State May Have Found Its Next Difference Maker At Running Back
Florida State opened its 2026 season with a performance that should keep the backfield conversation lively, because the Seminoles got a clear lead runner right away. The sophomore running back paced the offense with 115 yards and a touchdown, giving Florida State the kind of early spark that can shape how a season feels before conference play even settles in.
For a team always looking to establish balance, that kind of outing matters beyond the box score. It also puts a spotlight on what comes next, because the Seminoles now have a strong first answer at running back and a chance to see whether one strong opener turns into something more lasting as the season unfolds. [Read more 🡒]
FSU Heads Into SMU Week With One Lineup Battle Still Unsettled
Florida State heads into its conference opener still sorting out one of the quiet but important questions on the roster: who will hold down the starting offensive line spots. Mike Norvell said the group remains competitive even though the Seminoles used the same five players in the season opener, a sign that the staff is keeping the door open rather than locking in a permanent five just yet.
Norvell made clear that the evaluation will continue through practice and game action, with performance driving the final call. He pointed to areas that need improvement while also praising the effort of specific players, leaving SMU week as a real test for a line that is still trying to turn consistency into certainty. [Read more 🡒]
Ethan Pritchard Gave FSU An Opening Night Moment Nobody Will Forget
Nearly a year after a devastating August 2025 shooting left Ethan Pritchard fighting for his life, the Florida State freshman linebacker made an unforgettable return to Doak Campbell Stadium. Pritchard, who spent weeks in the ICU and in rehabilitation relearning basic functions, walked onto the field on opening night in a moment that carried far beyond football and gave Seminoles fans a powerful reminder of how much he has already overcome.
Florida State honored Pritchard with the Doc Fauls Rise Above Adversity Award, recognizing the resolve it took to reach this point. Mike Norvell called him a walking miracle and pointed to the mental toughness and faith that helped carry him through the recovery, a journey still unfolding but one that already stands as one of the most moving stories around the program. [Read more 🡒]