Week 1 of the 2026 college football season concludes Monday night in Tallahassee, where the Florida State Seminoles host the No. 19 SMU Mustangs in an early ACC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at Doak Campbell Stadium.
SMU will make its season debut after closing 2025 with a 24-19 victory over No. 21 Arizona in the Holiday Bowl. The Mustangs finished 9-4, securing their third consecutive nine-win season and their first bowl victory since 2012.
Quarterback Kevin Jennings returns for his third season as SMU’s starter after completing 66.1% of his passes for 3,641 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions last year. The senior helped the Mustangs average 32.2 points and 416.9 total yards per game, including 283.1 yards through the air.
SMU has quickly established itself as an ACC contender under Rhett Lashlee. The Mustangs are 14-2 in regular-season conference play since joining the league in 2024, reaching the ACC Championship Game and College Football Playoff during their first season in the conference.
Florida State already has one game behind it after defeating New Mexico State 34-17 in Week 0. The Seminoles compiled 419 total yards and scored on all six of their trips inside the red zone, although the Aggies remained within 10 points until late in the fourth quarter.
New starting quarterback Ashton Daniels completed 17 of 27 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception while also scoring on the ground. Daniels received considerable support from a backfield that produced 217 rushing yards, led by Ousmane Kromah‘s 115 yards and one touchdown on 14 carries.
That performance gave Florida State a positive start following consecutive losing seasons. The Seminoles finished 5-7 in 2025 after opening the campaign with an impressive 31-17 home victory over Alabama, losing seven of their final nine games.
Monday’s game will be the second meeting between the programs and SMU’s first appearance at Doak Campbell Stadium. The Mustangs picked up a 42-16 victory over Florida State in Dallas during their inaugural ACC season in 2024.
SMU vs. Florida State Odds
SMU is a 2.5-point road favorite for Monday night’s game at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook. This one has been bouncing around quite a bit, but the 2.5 has held for most of the day.
- Point Spread: SMU -2.5 (-120) | Florida State +2.5 (+100)
- Moneyline: SMU -145 | Florida State +120
- Total: Over 54.5 (-115) | Under 54.5 (-105)
Referenced odds subject to change.
Best Bet for SMU vs. Florida State
Florida State +2.5 (-125): SMU has the stronger résumé over the last two seasons and the more established quarterback, but the Mustangs are being asked to win by more than a field goal in their first game of the season and their first trip to one of college football’s toughest road environements.
Florida State has already worked through the mistakes that commonly accompany a season opener. The Seminoles will enter this matchup with nine days to study their Week 0 performance, while SMU must begin its campaign on the road against a conference opponent.
The Seminoles’ rushing attack provides the clearest path toward keeping the score close. Kromah averaged 8.2 yards per attempt against New Mexico State, while Samuel Singleton Jr. contributed as a runner and receiver. Together, they helped Florida State sustain drives and finish with 217 yards on the ground.
An effective run game would ease the burden on Daniels and limit the number of possessions available to Jennings. Daniels also displayed enough mobility in his debut to give SMU another concern near the goal line.
Home-field advantage should not be dismissed at this number. Florida State went 5-2 at Doak Campbell Stadium last season, with one of those victories coming by two touchdowns against an Alabama team ranked inside the top 10 at the time. SMU was also far less consistent away from Dallas last season, splitting six true road games.
With a productive backfield, a game of preparation already completed and more than a field goal in hand at home, the Seminoles are positioned to remain within the number on Monday night.
- Best Bet: Florida State +2.5 (-125)
Betting Splits at Hard Rock Bet
Hard Rock Bet players are all over SMU laying the points, while moneyline action is a bit more split:
- Moneyline: SMU accounts for 56.9% of the selections, with its share climbing to 69.1% of the money wagered.
- Spread: The backing is much more concentrated on SMU -3.5, which commands 85.3% of the tickets and 95% of the handle.
- Total: Bettors are anticipating points, as Over 53.5 represents 71.2% of the wagers and 73.1% of the money.
SMU vs. Florida State Game Info
- 🏟️ Location: Doak Campbell Stadium – Tallahassee, Florida
- 📅 Date: Monday, September 7
- ⏰ Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- 📺 Where to Watch: ESPN
More Ways to Bet
Looking for more ways to stay in the action? Florida players can find Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, available exclusively on Hard Rock Bet, a lineup of fast, engaging real money games you can jump into anytime while you follow your bets.
Offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in FL. Offered by Seminole Hard Rock Digital, LLC, in all other states. Must be 21+ and physically present in AZ, CO, FL, IL, IN, MI, NJ, OH, TN or VA to play. Terms and conditions apply. Concerned about gambling? In FL, call 1-833-PLAYWISE. In IN, if you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-9-WITH-IT. In AZ, OH, & VA, call 1-800-MY-RESET.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1‑800‑GAMBLER (CO, IL, MI, NJ, TN)
