SMU at Florida State Week 1 College Football Matchup SMU at Florida State Matchup - Week 1
Mon, Sep 7 2026 · Week 1 · 🏟 Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL · Turf · 79,560 cap
SMU✈ 752 mi+1 hr TZ
Away
VS
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
SMU
30
Florida State
25
P&R Line SMU -5
P&R Total O/U 54
Confidence 66 Good
Matchup Prediction
Metrics disagree on this matchup
Momentum Control favors Florida State, while Game Control favors SMU. Split signals historically show weaker predictive confidence — treat as a toss-up.
⚡ Split Signal — Metrics Disagree
Momentum Control
58.4%
Florida State wins
Lean
Game Control
64.9%
SMU wins
Lean
Advanced Stats
3 factors agree (PPA + PPO + Havoc) → SMU · 82.4% ATS historically
↓ See full breakdown
SMU 2026 Schedule
SMU's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Mon 9/7SMU at Florida State-5
Sat 9/12SMU vs UC Davis-32
Sat 9/19SMU at Louisville-0.5
Sat 9/26SMU vs Missouri State-26
Sat 10/3SMU vs Boston College-24.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17SMU vs Virginia-10.5
Fri 10/23SMU vs California-13
Fri 10/30SMU at Syracuse-20
Fri 11/6SMU vs Virginia Tech-19.5
Sat 11/14SMU vs Wake Forest-12
Sat 11/21SMU at Notre Dame+14
Sat 11/28SMU at Stanford-20.5
Florida State 2026 Schedule
Florida State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/29Florida State vs New Mexico State-24.5
Sat 8/29Florida State vs New Mexico State-24.5
Mon 9/7Florida State vs SMU+5
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/19Florida State at Alabama+11.5
Sat 9/26Florida State vs Central Arkansas-29
Sat 10/3Florida State vs Virginia-3
Fri 10/9Florida State at Louisville+7
Sat 10/17Florida State at Miami+18
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Florida State vs Clemson-0.5
Sat 11/7Florida State at Boston College-12
Fri 11/13Florida State at Pittsburgh+4
Sat 11/21Florida State vs NC State-4
Fri 11/27Florida State vs Florida-2.5
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
SMU PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
Split
Metrics disagree
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ SMU
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Split
Metrics disagree
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
SMU #30
+0.392
Florida State #22
+0.301
SMU Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
SMU #23
+0.645
Florida State #46
+0.501
SMU Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
SMU #15
0.188
Florida State #72
0.155
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
SMU Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
SMU #53
+8.008
Florida State #46
+6.737
SMU Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
SMU #64
+0.847
Florida State #32
+0.861
Florida State Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
SMU #109
72.4
Florida State #68
71.0
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Florida State Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
SMU Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
SMU #16
16.2
Florida State #33
6.9
Offense Rating
SMU #10
26.0
Florida State #55
16.8
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
SMU #23
9.9
Florida State #23
9.9
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? Florida State Edge
Avg sequences created per game
SMU #22
1.58
Florida State #13
1.64
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
SMU #2
0.25
Florida State #61
0.91
Florida State +0.05
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? SMU Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
SMU #15
60.7
Florida State #64
42.5
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
SMU #19
25.9
Florida State #86
43.6
SMU +18.2
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 64.9% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
SMU
Rhett Lashlee #12
38–17 (69%) · Yr 5 at school
OC Rob Likens Yr 1 #67
DC Maurice Crum Jr Yr 1 #52
Staff Rating
3.30 #26
Florida State
Mike Norvell #42
38–34 (53%) · Yr 7 at school
OC Tim Harris Yr 1 #67
DC Tony White Yr 2 #19
Staff Rating
3.08 #44
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: CSS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: GS is not a predictive ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself