Finally, a Finish
It took two days and one of the stranger game weeks in recent memory, but the No. 19 SMU–Florida State game finally has a result: the Mustangs escaped Tallahassee with a 27-24 win, sealed on a last-minute field goal. The game had been suspended Monday night by a power outage at Doak Campbell Stadium, then rescheduled and completed Tuesday — a delay that turned the ACC opener into a national talking point before a snap was replayed.
Jennings Delivers, Chopping on Their Turf
Quarterback Kevin Jennings came up big when it mattered, and the visual made the rounds on social media: Jennings hitting the tomahawk chop after leading the Mustangs to a road win in their ACC opener. SMU led 17-10 at one point mid-game, weathered a Florida State push, and got the decisive score in the final minutes after a back-and-forth second half (ESPN, FOX Sports).
Norvell's Seat Gets Hotter
The loss was devastating for Florida State — and for head coach Mike Norvell. FSU dropped to 0-1 and an early ACC hole, and the frustration was immediate: reports described 'Florida State fans turning on Mike Norvell during the brutal SMU loss,' with CBS Sports having warned before the game that a home defeat to a ranked opponent would 'scorch' his seat further. After the power-outage circus and now an 0-1 start in front of the home crowd, the pressure in Tallahassee has never been higher (Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports).
What This Means for CFB 27
In CFB 27, SMU's road win is a ratings signal: the Mustangs look live as a Group of Five-turned-ACC contender, and Kevin Jennings' heroics could push his player card value up while SMU stays in playoff-adjacent conversations. For Florida State, the story is Dynasty-relevant in the worst way — an 0-1 start under mounting coaching pressure creates roster volatility, and Seminole cards are a risky hold until the team shows it can stabilize. The bigger sim lesson from this 27-24 thriller: travel, delays and chaos are part of the game, and teams that stay composed win those weeks.
