The Florida State Seminoles have officially filled out their 2026 football schedule, locking in a Week Zero matchup that brings a new opponent to Doak Campbell Stadium. With the previously scheduled game against Notre Dame off the table, FSU needed to round out its non-conference slate-and now they’ve done just that.
Florida State will host New Mexico State on Saturday, August 29, 2026, marking the first-ever meeting between the two programs. It's a Group of Five opponent from Conference USA, and while the Aggies aren’t a traditional powerhouse, this game gives FSU a chance to open the season early and gain some flexibility with their schedule. Because it falls in Week Zero, the Seminoles will benefit from three BYE weeks during the 2026 season-a strategic advantage that can’t be overstated as the grind of a full campaign wears on.
The financials of the deal are straightforward: Florida State will pay New Mexico State $1.4 million to make the trip to Tallahassee, with the payment due by mid-July 2026. That’s a significant payday for the Aggies, who wrapped up their most recent season at 4-8 under second-year head coach Tony Sanchez. Sanchez, who previously led UNLV, is still building his program in Las Cruces, and this game will be a high-profile opportunity for his team.
As part of the agreement, FSU will also provide New Mexico State with 400 complimentary tickets, a suite in the stadium, and the maximum number of sideline passes allowed under NCAA rules. Parking passes are included as well, rounding out the standard visiting team accommodations. The deal was finalized back in October 2023, with signatures from then-New Mexico State athletic director Mario Moccia and Florida State AD Michael Alford.
This game completes Florida State’s non-conference lineup for 2026, and it’s a schedule that offers a mix of challenge and tune-up. The headliner, of course, is a road trip to Alabama on September 19-a heavyweight clash that will draw national attention.
A week later, FSU hosts Central Arkansas, another Group of Five matchup, with a $450,000 payout attached. Then comes the annual rivalry showdown with Florida, set for November 28 in Tallahassee.
Here’s how the Seminoles’ non-conference schedule now stacks up:
- August 29, 2026 - vs. New Mexico State
- September 19, 2026 - at Alabama
- September 26, 2026 - vs.
Central Arkansas
- November 28, 2026 - vs.
Florida
On the conference side, FSU’s opponents are already known, though the dates haven’t been finalized. The Seminoles will host Clemson, NC State, SMU, and Virginia-four matchups that should test their depth and consistency. On the road, they’ll face Miami, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Boston College, with the Miami rivalry always circled in red ink.
With the full 12-game slate now in place, Florida State can begin shaping its 2026 campaign. Mike Norvell, entering his seventh year at the helm, will be looking to build on a strong track record against Group of Five and FCS opponents-FSU is 9-2 in those matchups under his leadership. The early-season game against New Mexico State could serve as a springboard, especially with Alabama looming just three weeks later.
It’s a schedule that blends opportunity and risk. The Aggies may not have the firepower of a top-tier program, but they’ll come to Tallahassee with nothing to lose. And for Florida State, every game matters-especially in a college football landscape where strength of schedule, margin of victory, and playoff positioning are all part of the equation.
With the calendar set, the countdown to 2026 begins.