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In-depth look at Florida State’s Week 4 opponent

VaselineJuly 28, 2024

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In-depth look at Florida State’s Week 4 opponent

Florida State football will take on another deep ACC team in its fourth game of the season. But this time, it will be a one-and-done affair.

In Week 4 of FSU’s 2024 season, the Seminoles travel to SMU. Like in California, this will be the first meeting between the two programs.

It also marks FSU’s first away game in regular season play before they return to Doak Campbell Stadium next week to host Clemson.

SMU left the American Athletic Conference with a bang. Last season, the Mustangs finished 11-3, including nine wins in the AAC.

They went on to win the AAC title after defeating Tulane 26-14, officially joining the ACC.

Who is the head coach of SMU

Rhett Lashlee enters his third season at SMU. He was 18-9 throughout his tenure, including 11-3 last year, and his 2003 Mustangs won the AAC title.

He served as offensive coordinator for five FBS teams, including SMU (2018-19). His last OC job was at Miami (2020-21) before taking the head coaching job at SMU, replacing Sonny Dykes, now at TCU.

Final FSU vs. SMU meeting

This season marks the first-ever meeting between FSU and SMU.

The best players of SMU

Attack: QB Preston Stone, 3,197 yards, 28 TDs, 6 INTs; RB Jaylan Knighton, 745 yards, seven TDs; RB LJ Johnson Jr, 576 yards, four TDs; TE RJ Maryland, 34 rec., 518 yards, seven TDs; 42 rec., WR Jake Bailey, 528 yards; WR Moochie Dixon, 25 rec., 441 yards, four TDs, 257 return yards, one TD; WR 30 rec., Jordan Hudson, 425 yards, seven TDs, WR Roderick Daniels Jr., 370 yards, four TDs; OL Justin Osborne, OL Logan Parr, Collin Rogers, 20-27, 74 percent

Defense: DL Elijah Roberts, 37 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks; LB Kobe Wilson, three tackles for loss, one sack, one INT; LB Ahmad Walker, 65 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, five passes defensed; one sack DB Jonathan McGill, 55 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, nine passes defensed, one interception, 0.5 sack

Key Losses and Additions of SMU

To lose: OL Marcus Bryant, OL Branson Hickman, OL Hyrin White, DL Elijah Chatman, DB Bryan Massey, DB Charles Woods, DB Chris Megginson

Additions: RB Breshard Smith, OL Savion Byrd, OL Andrew Chamblee, DL Jared Harrison-Hunte, DL Tank Booker, DL Mike Lockhart, DB Jaden Milliner-Jones, DB Duece Harmon

Outlook on SMU

FSU is the team this season that will give both California and SMU a two-week ACC welcome.

Before playing the Seminoles, the Mustangs played four games against Nevada, Houston Christian, BYU and TCU.

Luckily for Lashlee, he has some knowledge of ACC opponents, particularly the Seminoles.

While he was offensive coordinator, the Hurricanes defeated the Seminoles 52-10 during the 2020 season. The Hurricanes finished 8-3 that year and 7-2 in the conference.

Although it has been four years, Lashlee has given the attack more depth by bringing over his boys from UM during the transfer period.

SMU can score. The Mustangs averaged 38 points per game on offense and allowed just 17 on defense.

FSU will be in a different environment at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The Mustangs are 10-2 at home over the last two seasons, including winning six straight home games.