Florida State’s 2026 Schedule Drops Monday - Here Are the Big Questions Before the Reveal
Circle your calendars: Monday night, the ACC will officially unveil the full 2026 football schedule for all 17 of its members. For Florida State, this is more than just a calendar release - it’s a roadmap that could shape the trajectory of Mike Norvell’s seventh season in Tallahassee.
The Seminoles already know their opponents and have a few key dates locked in. But the order of the games - when the gauntlet begins, where the bye week lands, and how the season finishes - could be the difference between a bounce-back campaign or a season that turns up the heat on Norvell’s seat.
Let’s dive into three key questions surrounding FSU’s 2026 slate before the full schedule drops.
1. What Will Weeks One and Two Look Like?
We already know Week 0: Florida State opens the season at home against New Mexico State, a late addition after the Notre Dame game was scrapped. Weeks 3 and 4 are also accounted for - a high-profile road trip to Alabama on Sept. 19, followed by a home matchup against Central Arkansas on Sept. 26.
That leaves Weeks 1 and 2 - and both are likely to feature ACC opponents.
If the Seminoles don’t draw an early bye, they’ll be diving into conference play right out of the gate. That’s a tall order, especially considering FSU’s recent history of slow starts in league play.
The Noles opened ACC play 0-4 last season and 0-2 the year before. In games before Week 4 under Norvell, Florida State is just 2-4 in the conference.
So who might they see early? Clemson hasn’t faced FSU in the first three weeks of a season since 2007, so odds are it’ll be someone else.
Virginia, NC State, or SMU are all on the home slate and could make early trips to Doak. And here’s the kicker - FSU lost the most recent matchup against each of those teams.
If the schedule front-loads the tougher games and the Seminoles stumble again early, a 2-3 record heading into October isn’t out of the question. That’s not the kind of start that gives a coach much breathing room.
2. When Do the Rivalry Games Hit?
There’s always a little extra juice when Miami, Florida, or Clemson show up on the schedule - and timing can be everything.
Let’s start with the Hurricanes. Over the last 15 seasons, FSU has played Miami in November seven times and in Week 6 five times.
This year, Week 6 falls on Oct. 10.
The Noles are trying to avoid a three-game skid in the rivalry, and depending on how the season unfolds, that game could carry serious implications. Think back to 2019, when a loss to Miami helped usher in the end of the Willie Taggart era.
Clemson, meanwhile, is usually a midseason measuring stick. Only six of the last 15 meetings have been played outside of October, so expect that one to land somewhere in the middle of the schedule again.
And while not traditional rivalries, a few matchups will have some emotional edge thanks to the transfer portal. Tight end Randy Pittman Jr. will return to Tallahassee with SMU.
Lawayne McCoy (Louisville), KJ Sampson (Boston College), and Jake Weinberg (Miami) will all get their shot at their former team in new colors. Those games may not be circled nationally, but you can bet they’ll mean something in those locker rooms.
3. How Does the Season Close?
One thing is locked in: Florida State will host the Florida Gators on Nov. 28 to wrap up the regular season.
But what comes before that? That’s the wild card.
There’s no late-season breather on the schedule - no FCS opponent to tune up against before the Gators come to town. That means the Seminoles will roll straight from ACC play into one of the sport’s most heated rivalries.
There’s also a strong chance that Miami is one of the final four opponents. And if FSU avoids back-to-back road games to end the conference slate - something that’s only happened twice in the last 15 years - then a road trip to Louisville, Pitt, or Boston College could be the penultimate game.
That backstretch matters. Whether the Seminoles are chasing an ACC title, trying to lock in bowl eligibility, or simply looking to build momentum, how the final month lines up could shape the narrative of the entire season.
What We Know So Far
Here’s what’s already confirmed on Florida State’s 2026 schedule:
- Aug. 29: vs. New Mexico State (Home)
- Sept. 19: at Alabama (Tuscaloosa)
- Sept. 26: vs.
Central Arkansas (Home)
- Nov. 28: vs.
Florida (Home)
And here are the remaining opponents, with dates still to be announced:
- Clemson (Home)
- NC State (Home)
- SMU (Home)
- Virginia (Home)
- Boston College (Away)
- Louisville (Away)
- Miami (Away)
- Pitt (Away)
When to Tune In
The full 2026 ACC schedule will be released on Monday, Jan. 26 at 9 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Once the dates are in place, we’ll have a much clearer picture of what lies ahead for the Seminoles. Until then, all eyes are on the calendar - and on what could be a pivotal year in Tallahassee.