Florida State's defensive keys vs SMU

As Florida State Seminoles face off against No. 19 SMU Mustangs in the ACC opener, it will be crucial for FSU's defense to focus on several key areas to secure a victory. Controlling the line of scrimmage will be essential, as players like Daniel Lyons, Deante McCray, Rylan Kennedy, and the Desir twins must establish themselves early. By doing so, they can prevent SMU from gaining ground and keep the offense on defense.

Another critical factor is neutralizing quarterback Kevin Jennings, who is a dual-threat type of player. Both Florida State's defense and a spy player should keep an eye on him to prevent him from either throwing the ball or running with it. Holding him accountable will help disrupt SMU's offense.

Running back Kendrick Raphael is another challenge, as he put up a solid performance last season with over 900 rushing yards. Florida State must limit his productivity and prevent him from consistently gaining yards. This will make the game more challenging for SMU and reduce the frequency of long passes.

On third downs, Florida State had difficulty last week against New Mexico State, allowing 10 conversions on 17 attempts. Against SMU, the Seminoles must improve in this area to increase their chances of winning. While SMU's offense is strong, they will still make plays on third down, but FSU needs to limit their effectiveness.

Finally, keeping SMU's offense on their side of the field is vital. With a talented offensive lineup, allowing SMU to drive past midfield could result in a high-scoring game. By maintaining a strong defensive presence near their own territory, Florida State's offense will have more opportunities to score, ensuring they come out on top in this crucial matchup.