Florida State Football: Breaking Down the Seminoles’ 2026 Schedule
The 2026 season is officially mapped out for Florida State, and it’s shaping up to be a fascinating ride from Week 0 through rivalry week. With marquee matchups, revenge opportunities, and a couple of intriguing first-time meetings, the Seminoles' path is loaded with storylines. Let’s take a closer look at what lies ahead for Mike Norvell’s squad this fall.
Week 0 - August 29: vs. New Mexico State
Florida State gets an early jump on the season with a Week 0 home opener against New Mexico State. The Aggies are coming off a 4-8 campaign, including a 2-6 mark in Conference USA, and they’ll be stepping into the cauldron that is Doak Campbell Stadium for just the second meeting between the programs.
The last time these two faced off? All the way back in 1964, when FSU blanked the Aggies 36-0.
This one sets up as a tone-setter for the Seminoles-a chance to establish rhythm early and shake off the offseason rust before the schedule ramps up quickly.
Week 1 - September 7 (Labor Day): vs. SMU
Labor Day football is back in Tallahassee, and this time it brings a new ACC face to town. SMU makes its first-ever trip to Doak Campbell for what will be both teams’ conference opener. The Mustangs are coming off a strong 9-4 season (6-2 in ACC play), and they’ve already shown they can be a problem for the ‘Noles-just look back to 2024, when they handed FSU a 42-16 loss in Dallas.
This is more than just a conference opener-it’s a chance for Florida State to make an early statement against a rising ACC contender and flip the script after that lopsided loss two years ago.
Week 2 - September 12: Bye Week
An early bye gives the Seminoles a chance to regroup after the Monday night clash and prep for a massive road test looming in Week 3.
Week 3 - September 19: at Alabama
Circle this one. Florida State heads to Tuscaloosa for a heavyweight showdown with Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
It’s the Seminoles’ first trip there since 1974, and it comes on the heels of last season’s 31-17 win over the Crimson Tide in Tallahassee. Alabama’s 11-4 finish last year (7-1 in SEC play) proves they’re still very much a national power, and you can bet they’ll be looking to even the score.
This will be just the fourth meeting between these two storied programs since 1975, and with Alabama holding a 3-2-1 edge in the all-time series, this one’s got history-and high stakes-written all over it.
Week 4 - September 26: vs. Central Arkansas
After the Alabama clash, FSU returns home to face Central Arkansas in a first-ever meeting. The Bears are coming off a tough 3-9 season, but there’s a personal connection here: Mike Norvell wrapped up his college playing career at UCA in 2005. That adds a unique subplot to what should be a breather on the schedule.
Week 5 - October 3: vs. Virginia
The Cavaliers come to Tallahassee for the first time since 2014, and they’re bringing some momentum with them. Virginia went 11-3 last season, including a 7-1 mark in ACC play, and they edged out FSU in a double-overtime thriller last year, 46-38.
The Seminoles have historically handled Virginia well, boasting a 15-5 all-time record and a 9-1 mark at home. But this isn’t the same old Cavaliers squad-they’re a legitimate threat in the ACC. This one could have real conference implications.
Week 6 - October 9 (Friday): at Louisville
It’s back on the road for a Friday night showdown in Louisville. These two haven’t squared off since the 2023 ACC Championship Game, which Florida State won 16-6. The Cardinals finished 9-4 last season (4-4 in ACC play), and they’ve always been a tricky opponent at home.
FSU has had Louisville’s number in recent years, holding an 18-6 all-time edge, including a 35-31 win in their last trip to Cardinal Stadium in 2022. But short weeks and road games are never easy-especially in a stadium that tends to get rowdy under the lights.
Week 7 - October 17: at Miami
The annual rivalry game with Miami is always circled in red, and this year it’s back in South Florida. The Hurricanes are coming off a 13-3 season that ended with a narrow loss to Indiana in the CFP National Championship Game. They’ve also beaten FSU in back-to-back years, including a 28-22 win in Tallahassee last season.
The all-time series leans Miami’s way (37-33), but Florida State has actually fared better on the road in this rivalry, holding a 21-19 edge in Miami. If the Seminoles want to reassert themselves in the state, this is the place to start.
Week 8 - Bye Week
A well-timed second bye gives Florida State a chance to recover from a tough two-game road swing before entering the final stretch of the season.
Week 9 - October 31: vs. Clemson
Halloween football in Tallahassee brings another high-stakes rivalry game. Clemson may have taken a step back last season (7-6, 4-4 in ACC), but the Tigers have owned this series recently-winning nine of the last ten, including their last two trips to Doak Campbell.
FSU still holds a 21-17 edge overall and a 12-7 record at home, but this is about more than numbers. It’s about shifting the balance of power in the ACC back in Florida State’s favor. A win here would go a long way toward doing just that.
Week 10 - November 7: at Boston College
The Seminoles head north to Chestnut Hill for a matchup with Boston College, who struggled mightily last season (2-10, 1-7 in ACC play). But FSU can’t overlook this one-BC stunned them in Tallahassee on Labor Day in 2024, winning 28-13.
Florida State has dominated this series historically (16-6 overall, 8-2 at BC since 2005), but that last loss is still fresh. This is a chance to right that wrong and stay on track heading into the final stretch.
Week 11 - November 13 (Friday): at Pitt
FSU wraps up its road slate with a Friday night trip to Pittsburgh. The Panthers finished 8-5 last year and went 6-2 in the ACC, and they knocked off the Seminoles 34-31 in Tallahassee last season.
Pitt leads the all-time series 7-5, but Florida State has split their six meetings in Pittsburgh and actually holds a 2-0 record at Acrisure Stadium since the Panthers joined the ACC. This one could be a trap game if the ‘Noles aren’t locked in.
Week 12 - November 21: vs. NC State
The final ACC game of the season comes at home against NC State. The Wolfpack, who went 8-5 last season, have been a thorn in FSU’s side recently-most recently beating them 21-11 in Raleigh.
Florida State leads the series 27-17 and has been strong at home (16-6), but this late-season matchup could carry serious postseason implications. Expect a hard-fought, physical game.
Week 13 - November 27 (Friday): vs. Florida
The regular season wraps up with the annual rivalry clash against the Gators, and it’s a Black Friday showdown at Doak Campbell. Florida is coming off a rough 4-8 season, but rivalry games are never about records.
FSU has dropped the last two meetings, including the 2024 game in Tallahassee. Florida holds a 39-28-2 edge in the all-time series, but the Seminoles are 2-0 against the Gators on Fridays-winning in 1979 and again in 2022.
If Florida State wants to end the regular season on a high note and potentially punch a ticket to the postseason with momentum, this one is non-negotiable.
Final Thoughts
From early statement games to rivalry revenge opportunities, Florida State’s 2026 schedule is loaded with challenges-and potential. With key home games against SMU, Clemson, and Florida, and road tests at Alabama, Miami, and Pitt, the Seminoles will need to be sharp, deep, and resilient.
If Mike Norvell’s squad can navigate this gauntlet, they’ll be right in the thick of the ACC title race-and maybe more.