The SMU Mustangs will arrive in Tallahassee as the favorites against the FSU Seminoles on Labor Day, but Mustangs head coach Rhett Lashlee believes the line should look much different. Lashlee said he thinks his team should be a sizable underdog against Mike Norvell and the Seminoles.
"I have no idea how we aren’t a 7- to 10-point underdog," he told On3's Dean Ralsky. SMU is currently a three-point favorite over FSU
at BetMGM.The comment stood out because it came from the coach of a program that entered the season with expectations of contending near the top of the ACC. SMU fell one defensive stop short of reaching a second consecutive ACC Championship Game last season and returns quarterback Kevin Jennings, who threw for 3,641 yards and 26 touchdowns
in 2025.
Still, Lashlee appears to have significant respect for what Florida State presents at Doak Campbell Stadium.
The Seminoles opened the 2026 season with a 34-17 victory over New Mexico State. FSU finished with 419 total yards, including 217 on the ground, while quarterback Ashton Daniels completed 17 of 27 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Ousmane Kromah provided the biggest spark offensively, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries.
Florida State’s opener was not flawless, but Lashlee’s comments suggest he sees a much more dangerous opponent than the final margin alone might indicate.
The matchup will also carry immediate conference significance for both programs. For Florida State, it represents the first opportunity to measure itself against one of the ACC’s stronger teams after opening against New Mexico State. For SMU, it is an early road test against a Seminoles team trying to reestablish itself following consecutive losing seasons.
Whether Lashlee’s comment was meant to keep his team grounded or simply reflected his respect for Florida State, it added another layer to an already intriguing matchup.
Florida State and SMU will kick off Monday at 7:30 p.m. ET at Doak Campbell Stadium, with the game televised on ESPN.
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This article originally appeared on FSU Wire: SMU coach questions why FSU is the underdog
