Mike Norvell is walking into the 2026 season with plenty on the line, but he’s not sounding like a coach bracing for disaster. If anything, the Florida State head man is talking like someone who believes this group can finally steady the ship.
Norvell said this is “as good as I've felt in a few years” heading into a season, a strong claim for a program that has gone through two rough years and a major roster shakeup. Florida State brings back almost nothing in the usual sense, with 62 new players and six new coaches joining the staff, making this the biggest overhaul of Norvell’s tenure.
That turnover is part of why he likes where things stand now.
"This year's team, I feel as good as I've felt in a few years of what I think it's going to look like. We still have to go do that.
There are some positions that we know we're going to need to stay healthy. I like the depth; I like the first two-deep.
But there's some positions where you might have to rely on some really young, inexperienced players if certain things happen," Norvell said.
He also pointed to the newcomers who have already shown enough to put themselves in position to contribute when the season opens against New Mexico State on Aug. 29.
"That's where I like this group. I like the work ethic.
I like some of the newcomers that have shown that they can be capable and have put themselves in a position to go into week zero, that they could be able to play and make their mark for this football team. But this is a group that I'm definitely confident in what they're going to be able to accomplish.
But that's the fun of going and playing the game."
The opener won’t settle anything by itself, but Florida State needs to look like a team with a pulse. A solid showing from quarterback Ashton Daniels would at least give the Seminoles something real to carry into the next stretch, which includes SMU on Labor Day and Alabama on Sep. 19.
For Norvell, though, the biggest test may not be the rankings or the schedule. It’s how this team handles the first time things go sideways.
That’s where Florida State has fallen apart in the past. The Seminoles went 2-10 in 2024 and 5-7 in 2025, and Norvell said he saw warning signs in both seasons before they fully unraveled.
"I'd say that in every group, there's always an area of concern. I know, in 2024, what was going to happen in the moment, in the moment of truth when maybe something that didn't go well, that was a big concern.
We did nothandle that very well throughout the course of a season. ... Last year, I had my concerns in certain areas," Norvell said.
He said the issue showed up in those moments when the response had to come from the players themselves.
"The moment where the leadership - it's got to be the players, and everything's got to go - where it's not going as good as maybe you wanted it to, where are we going to be able to rise up in some of those situations? There were some times, early in the season, we had a lot of excitement, and guys answered the call when things were going well.
I mean, we played at a really high level. There were times that we had some opportunities and some missed opportunities where it came down to some discipline things, some areas where we just had true missed opportunities to make the play in that moment of truth."
That’s the line between a team that competes and one that unravels. If Florida State can survive the bumps and keep its footing, Norvell’s confidence will look justified. If the same old collapse shows up again, the pressure around him will only keep growing.
Florida State football schedule 2026
vs. New Mexico State | Aug. 29
vs. SMU* | Sept. 7
Bye
at Alabama | Sept. 19
vs. Central Arkansas | Sept. 26
vs. Virginia* | Oct. 3
at Louisville* | Oct. 9
at Miami* | Oct. 17
Bye
vs. Clemson* | Oct. 31
at Boston College* | Nov. 7
at Pittsburgh* | Nov. 13
vs. NC State* | Nov. 21
vs. Florida | Nov. 27
In Other News...
Florida State's Backup QB Battle Just Took A Surprising Turn
Florida States backup quarterback picture is suddenly a little more interesting, and Malachi Marshall is right in the middle of it. Mike Norvell said the JuCo transfer has added 18 pounds and improved his strength, signs that he has handled the physical transition well enough to put himself in position to help this season. Behind starter Ashton Daniels, the Seminoles are sorting through a competition that also includes second-year quarterback Kevin Sperry, and the job carries real importance given how quickly a season can change at the position.
Norvells history developing quarterbacks has often been a point of scrutiny, which is part of why this battle matters beyond simple depth-chart housekeeping. If Daniels were to go down, Florida State needs someone who can step in without the offense losing its footing, and Marshalls size gain has made him an intriguing option in that role. Sperry remains in the mix, but Marshalls recent progress gives this competition a different feel than it had a few weeks ago. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State May Be Stuck With Mike Norvell Longer Than Fans Want
Mike Norvells seat has been a talking point in Tallahassee for months, and it is not hard to see why. Florida State has piled up 17 losses over the past two seasons, leaving plenty of fans frustrated and wondering how much longer the university will stand behind a coach who once looked like a long-term answer.
Even so, firing him would not be simple. Florida State would be staring at a buyout estimated in the $45 million to $50 million range, and the Seminoles are about to face a brutal stretch with SMU and Alabama on the schedule. Those games will shape the mood around the program, but they also may determine whether the conversation around Norvell turns into real movement or just more uneasy waiting. [Read more 🡒]
FSUs Backup QB Picture Just Got More Interesting Behind Ashton Daniels
The backup quarterback race at Florida State has taken on a little more shape, and Malachi Marshall is right in the middle of it. Since joining the program, he has drawn praise from the coaching staff for the progress he has made, including added weight and a better grasp of the offense. Mike Norvell has pointed to that development as a reason Marshall has become a real factor behind starter Ashton Daniels, alongside Kevin Sperry.
The new NCAA 5-for-5 eligibility rule only adds another layer to Marshall's standing in the room. Because he can play without burning a redshirt, Florida State has more flexibility in how it uses him if the need arises, which makes his growth even more relevant to the depth chart. For a team that wants reliable options behind Daniels, Marshall's rise is one of the more interesting subplots to watch. [Read more 🡒]