ESPN is projecting Florida State to meet Memphis in the Frisco Bowl, adding another early look at where the Seminoles could land down the road.
For now, though, the focus inside the program is much closer to home. The coaches met with the media yesterday and went back over what they saw on film from the Alabama game before shifting attention to Central Arkansas. Tony White said he wished he had stayed more aggressive with the pressure looks he was dialing up in the first half against Alabama.
Florida State’s 1-2 start doesn’t end anything, but it does make the margin for error a lot thinner. The Seminoles have a chance to get back on track this weekend against Mike Norvell’s alma mater, and while no betting line has been released yet, a 28-point win sounds about right at this stage of the projection.
There was also individual recognition for Duce Robinson, who was named the Shrine Bowl offensive Player of the Week.
FSU’s October 3 home game against UVA now has a kickoff time, giving fans another date on the calendar.
One of the top FSU commits also turned heads on Friday night with a huge performance, and the numbers backed it up.
On the basketball side, Florida State’s first practice was a rugged one, with the day described as intense and physical. Coach Loucks also addressed the ongoing “5 for 5” rule situation in college sports, along with rev-share and his message to Alex Steen as he pursues another year of eligibility.
Loucks said Steen has been handling the initial denial hard. “He was a little beat up about it.
He was almost second-guessing, like, ‘I don’t know what to do here. Should I go for the appeal?’”
Loucks said. “And I’m like, ‘Steen, I’m not going to tell you what to do.
I know what I want…I want you to play for me. But this is your choice, your life.’”
In Other News...
Florida States Passing Struggles Put One Norvell Staff Decision Under Fire
Florida States passing game has become one of the more frustrating parts of an uneven season, and the discussion around it has started to focus as much on coaching structure as on quarterback play. The Seminoles entered the year with Austin Tucker handling the quarterbacks room, a notable setup for a former wide receiver who had not previously coached the position, and the production has not taken a step forward.
With the offense ranking 65th in the FBS and Ashton Daniels sitting at four touchdown passes and four interceptions, the scrutiny around that decision has only grown. Inside the staff, there are other options with more direct quarterback experience, including Tom Herman and Brady White, which makes the current arrangement look even more unusual as Florida State searches for answers through the air. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Could Finally Get Answer On Its Backup QB Battle
Florida State has spent the first three games of the 2026 season looking competitive, but the more intriguing development may be happening behind the starter. Ashton Daniels has handled every snap in the most recent game, while the Seminoles have kept the backup quarterback picture open between Malachi Marshall and Kevin Sperry. Marshall has been taking second-team reps in pregame, a sign that the staff is at least sorting out the depth chart while the games still matter.
Central Arkansas arrives on the schedule Sept. 26, and that matchup could finally give the Seminoles a chance to see what they have behind Daniels. If Florida State does turn to its backups, it would offer a real evaluation point in a battle that has been mostly fought in practice and pregame work so far. For a team that has stayed competitive early, the next question is less about the starter and more about who is ready if the Seminoles need the next man up. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Has A New Reason To Watch Ta'Shawn Poole Closely
Ta'Shawn Poole turned in one of the more eye-catching nights on a Georgia high school field this fall, and it came at a good time for a player Florida State will want to keep tabs on. In Howards 49-43 regional win over Baldwin, Poole set a Georgia state record with six touchdown catches while piling up 245 receiving yards, a performance that put his name squarely on the radar.
The outburst also came with some grit behind it, because Howard was coming off losses to Valdosta and Perry before finally breaking through. Poole also chipped in seven tackles and a tackle for loss, underscoring how much he affects the game on both sides of the ball, and he and his teammates made clear afterward that the lesson was about learning to keep fighting until the end. [Read more 🡒]