Florida State is kicking off the 2026 season in style.
The Seminoles announced they’ll wear gold helmets, garnet jerseys, and garnet pants when they host New Mexico State on Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium. It’s an alternate look for game one, and it gives Florida State a fresh starting point as Mike Norvell’s program tries to reset after an unsettling stretch.
The opener comes after a rocky two-year run. Last season started with a win over Alabama, but Florida State finished 4-7 from there and dropped its final two games, missing out on a bowl berth. This offseason, Norvell again overhauled the program, making changes across the roster, coaching staff, and other personnel.
The matchup itself isn’t expected to be especially tight, but it gives the Seminoles a chance to clean up details and get an early read on what this team can become before the Labor Day game against SMU. Florida State has 12 chances in front of it, and the message is simple: make them count.
New Mexico State will counter in white helmets, white jerseys, and black pants.
Florida State and New Mexico State are set for a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff on The CW, with Thom Brennaman, Jason Cabinda, and Wes Bryant on the broadcast.
Florida State’s uniform choices this season also include: Alabama: Traditional home uniforms - gold helmets, garnet jerseys, and gold pants
East Texas A&M: Alternate home uniforms - gold helmets, garnet jerseys, and garnet pants
Kent State: Alternate home uniforms - white helmets, garnet jerseys, and garnet pants
Virginia: Alternate away uniforms - white helmets, white jerseys, and white pants
Miami: Traditional home uniforms - gold helmets, garnet jerseys, and gold pants
Pittsburgh: Traditional home uniforms - gold helmets, garnet jerseys, and gold pants
Stanford: Alternate away uniforms - gold helmets, white jerseys, and garnet pants
Wake Forest: Traditional home uniforms - gold helmets, garnet jerseys, and gold pants
Clemson: Traditional road uniforms - gold helmets, white jerseys, and gold pants
Virginia Tech: Alternate home uniforms - gold helmets, garnet jerseys, and garnet pants
North Carolina State: Alternate road uniforms - gold helmets, white jerseys, and garnet pants
Florida: Traditional road uniforms - gold helmets, white jerseys, and gold pants
In Other News...
Sam Singleton Just Gave Florida State A Weapon It May Need
Sam Singleton Jr. gave Florida State something it can always use and not always find: a back who can tilt the field in more than one way. In the Seminoles 34-17 win over New Mexico State, he piled up 164 all-purpose yards, scored twice and made his presence felt as both a runner and a returner, including a pair of kickoff returns that helped swing field position. Coach Mike Norvell pointed to Singletons versatility and the way he affected the game in multiple phases, and Pro Football Focus also came away impressed with his offensive work.
For a Florida State offense still sorting out where its biggest weekly advantages will come from, that kind of performance matters beyond the box score. Singletons blend of burst, efficiency and special-teams value gives the Seminoles a cleaner path to creating favorable situations, especially when games tighten and hidden yardage starts to matter. The bigger question now is whether this was a one-game spark or the start of a role that keeps expanding as the season goes on. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Already Has An O-Line Problem It Cant Ignore
Florida States offensive line was always going to be a work in progress in 2026, with five new starters trying to settle in and especially a fresh battle developing on the right side. Chimdia Nwaiwu got the opening nod at right tackle, while Nate Pabst and Paul Bowling have also been part of the discussion, and the early weeks have already shown how important that spot is for an offense trying to find its footing.
Nwaiwus first start brought enough pressure and issues in the run game to make the decision far less straightforward than the staff likely hoped. With SMU next on the schedule, Florida State is already weighing whether to stay patient or make a change and see if Bowling offers a better answer at right tackle, a choice that could shape how the rest of the line settles in. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State Has A Secondary Problem At The Worst Time
Florida State opened the season with a 34-17 win over New Mexico State, but the celebration came with a clear defensive concern hanging over it. The Seminoles secondary had too many issues staying connected in coverage, and New Mexico State was able to find space through the air more often than Florida State would like to see this early in the year.
Mike Norvell pointed to communication and execution problems after the game, which makes the timing especially uncomfortable with SMU next on the schedule. The Mustangs bring a passing attack that can punish busted assignments, so Florida States back end will need a cleaner performance fast if it wants the opener to be remembered for the win and not the warning signs. [Read more 🡒]