FSU vs. SMU: Score Predictions + Florida Takes Shots at FSU | Florida State PrimeTime LIVE 25

Florida State Primetime LIVE — FSU vs. SMU Preview Hosts: Jackson Burlison & Jacob Smith | Presented by FanDuel | FSUVOCFB Tone: Pessimistic on the offense, still hoping for a competitive Monday night at Doak. 0:00–1:22 — Open Jackson and Jacob welcome viewers. Immediate vibe: “We’re going to get cooked this weekend.” Jacob says FSU “cannot offense to save their lives.” They flag the SMU preview as the main topic and note they haven’t covered recruiting much lately. 1:22–5:00 — Recruiting: Marquis Fennell (Valdosta, GA RB) FSU is still chasing 2027 three-star RB Marquis Fennell (transcript: Marquise Finnell), a Stanford commit out of Valdosta, Georgia. Already have 4-star Jayden Miles committed in the 2027 RB class. Jackson watched tape: shifty, finds gaps, similar style to Ousmane Kromah; can catch out of the backfield. Argument for flipping him: stacking RBs in an RPO-heavy offense; FSU history (Dalvin Cook, Devonta Freeman). A Stanford flip would be a win even as a 3-star. Jacob: appeal of FSU for RBs depends on who emerges from the Kromah / Sam Singleton committee. SMU game will tell more than Alabama (expected blowout) or Central Arkansas. Lame-duck Norvell talk: anyone still willing to come is “cool in my book.” 5:00–7:30 — FSU–New Mexico State ratings Week 0 vs. NMSU was the most-watched sports broadcast in CW history: 1.96 million average viewers 2.4 million peak Record for any CW sports telecast. Jackson: even a Week 0 “preseason-ish” game drawing that means the FSU brand still pulls. Surprised it beat the Jordan Travis injury game in the CW era; summer drought + Week 0 timing probably helped. 7:30–9:00 — Rhett Lashlee’s underdog comment SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said he has “no idea how SMU isn’t a 7- to 10-point underdog” even though they’re favored (~2.5–3.5). Hosts push back: SMU has 14 ACC wins in two years, made the CFP and ACC title game in Year 1 in the league. Kevin Jennings at QB. Lashlee being humble / wanting less pressure in Dallas. 9:00–11:40 — Florida coach Jon Sumrall comments on FSU New Florida HC Jon Sumrall (transcript: John Summerall) called out FSU’s Week 0 mistakes (12 men, illegal substitution, special teams). Jackson’s take: Florida hasn’t played a game yet. Stay in your lane. Week 0 rust is real; Norvell said it will get cleaned up week-to-week. Florida was 4-8 last year and has a brand-new coach in the rivalry. “Just wait until we play them.” 11:40–15:00 — Live scores + FanDuel Quick look at Thursday/Friday games: UCF rolling Bethune-Cookman (31-0 at the time). Jackson (Orlando guy) calls UCF a Big 12 sleeper. UMass up big on Rutgers (shock of the night; UMass was 1-11 last year). Rutgers money line people hurting. Live ML: UMass -350. Wake Forest 28-0 Akron, Delaware up on Merrimack, Missouri just starting vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, delays at Buffalo/Kennesaw. Sponsor read: FanDuel parlays, ML, O/U, player props. Gamble responsibly. FSU–SMU line at the time: FSU +125 ML, SMU -2.5. Natty odds back to 60,000-1. 15:00–24:00 — SMU preview & score prediction Jacob’s pick: SMU 28–20. Thinks it’s closer than the public. Home crowd at Doak can matter. FSU won’t look worse than Week 0. Keys: Kevin Jennings: arguably best QB in the ACC. 2nd in SMU passing yards all-time, 4th in TDs. Experience in big games (365 vs. Miami last year, sidearm throws vs. elite rush). Healed ankle — more mobile than 2025 tape. Don’t game-plan last year’s version. FSU secondary has to clean up miscommunications and underneath coverage. Too many blown assignments vs. NMSU; SMU lives on third down through the air. Pass rush must make Jennings a hero-ball runner or he will dice them. SMU was a top passing offense last year. Deuce Robinson needs a big night: 7–9 catches, 100+ yards, a TD if FSU wants to stay in it. Ashton Daniels: flashes and zip, passes the eye test, but must play turnover-free and get the ball out faster if the OL isn’t right. Team looked tight/afraid to mess up in Week 0. SMU run game actually exists this year (Cal transfer RB, 1,100+ all-purpose last year) + experienced OL with preseason All-ACC pieces. Lashlee: SMU is bigger and faster than recent years. Joe Klatt point they liked: teams improve more after Game 1 than any other week. Expect sharper execution, less vanilla offense (they were holding cards vs. NMSU). This game tells you more about Alabama than Alabama itself